Sightseeing the World

I really thought I would have figured this out by now, or even before I ever came here, so it boggles my mind that until today, I never seemed to really know what makes any place special.

I love Hong Kong. I love it as a city. I love the public transportation. I love the lights, the energy, the harbor, the food (and the accessibility of it), and so much more.

And yet, after all the “sightseeing” is done and every area becomes familiar to me, I’ve come to grips with the obvious fact, that what makes Hong Kong special, isn’t its sights, lights or its sounds, but its people.

Duh.

Yeah, the scenery is unique to Hong Kong (being a harbor metropolis spanning two major island areas), but Hong Kong after a while, simply ceases to be amazing from a tourist’s perspective.

It’s the locals here, their lives, their daily patterns, their beliefs, their relationships, their stories that are of the utmost interest.

So its no surprise that HK tv appeals to me; this is what locals watch. And it shouldn’t surprise me either that I want to see HK movies, walk the daily walks on busy streets, ride crammed trains, speak Cantonese, and well, talk to the locals.

I would have to say my two favorite classes I’m taking this semester are Cantonese and Hong Kong Popular Culture. The first is obvious, I’m actually getting to know the language (and my language really) better, and so much of culture shows through language. But also, HK Pop Culture is somehow, an amazing (although boring at times) survey into what Hong Kong people care about, as superficial as it gets sometimes.

One of my most fascinating conversations was with my local roommate, and all we did was explain differences between American and Hong Kong ideas. Simple, no agenda, free.

I have regrets about my HK trip already. Not recognizing this simple little truth is one of them.

Passive. Sort of.

Asians are known to be of the passive breed. And this is more or less uncontested throughout the world. That’s not to say that every Asian is passive (there are always exceptions), but suffice to say, Asians, in general, are more passive than your average human being.

So it surprises me then, that they would make a big fuss over, well anything. About a month ago, EasyFinder, an HK magazine got hold of some pictures that were taken of Canto pop singer of “Twins” fame while she was in a changing room backstage. Needless to say, once they were published, this caused quite a stir.

I have no statistics on how much the magazine sold, but it unearthed quite a bit of activism among the Hong Kong people. Immediately, thousands flocked to public areas to protest. Dissent came from entertainer’s guilds, women’s rights groups, and fans alike. The overall mantra? Boycott EasyFinder, and buy a magazine that has morals.

The HK government responded as well, charging EasyFinder with printing unsuitable content and a possible fine. There was also reports of revising journalism laws governing what can be published and how far into private arenas journalists can go.
A week later after the fiasco, when the following issue of EasyFinder was released, people flocked to the streets once again, urging consumers to boycott the magazine.

So it surprises, and pleases me, to see Hong Kong, at some level, stand for what it wants.

Hong Kong? Muhn?

Which is Cantonese for “boring”.

I love Hong Kong. I knew that already. Most of my friends knew that before I ever got here. But I have to say, to a degree, Hong Kong can get, well, boring.

How’s this possible? Well, for one, there are way too many shopping malls here. And I’m not talking UTC, Sunvalley, Horton Plaza or even Walnut Creek’s ritzy (sort of) Broadway Plaza. I’m talking massive, several stories of what feels like acres of stores. I have never gotten lost in a mall, until I came here. Of course it’s easy to find my way eventually, but come on. I want to write about Hong Kongers (Hong Kongians?) and they’re obsession with buying things, later.

But back to the malls. There are lots of different areas of Hong Kong, and for the most part, each offers something slightly different than the other. Southern Hong Kong island is more coastal, beach like. Central Hong Kong island is all businesses. Tsim Sha Tsui on Kowloon is in a league all by itself, and then there’s the crazy crowded, cheap, and hustle and bustle of Mong Kok. Even the more rural and nature-ish New Territories is unique.
But for everything else, there’s a shopping mall. And another shopping mall. I decided to explore a new area on my own via MTR subway (which, by the way is awesome), got out, and guess what I found?

Don’t get me wrong, Hong Kong is amazing, and amazingly fun. And I’ll continue to write more about what I experience. But no place is perfect. And Hong Kong isn’t exempt.

A few other random notes.
-I wish I had a TV in my room. I want to live like a local, but not watching TV, actually is hindering that. Going online is just like home. Going out with UC friends is like home (minus the terrible ordering in Cantonese that all of us do). Watching TV, even in English though, is foreign. I like. British TV is cool.
-my Cantonese is not getting better at the rate I wish it were.
-locals are fun. I’m beginning to really understand some of the barriers that we have between us, and really how as a full Cantonese kid it’s a bit weird that I don’t know the language.
-sometimes, even when you don’t think you’re passing judgments, you actually are. And so, benefit of the doubt is always welcome, and needed.
-It’s cool to meet people from another culture because they’re so much more different than you, and they can offer you an even more differing perspective. But that doesn’t make meeting any other random person any less cool.

And of course. Breathe.

It’s…Almost October?

Crud. I’ve been here for more than a month now? How time flies…

But I have so much more I want to do, so many people I want to meet, so much more I want to experience. So much more I want to learn.

The Folks

You know, if nothing else, I have to be really grateful that my parents are willing to support me financially, and to the degree that do it.

I think they believe I’m more responsible with money than I really am. And so they always encourage me to do things. Like to not worry about grad school, because they will help me pay for it.Like to travel, and “go wherever I want to go” while I’m here in Asia. I mentioned that I’d like to see Australia, but that it’d be expensive. But they said, “go for it” with no reservation whatsoever.

And mostly, that they’re supportive of the fact that I want to explore several options before deciding what to do with my life. Including living and working abroad.

Maybe my guilt from them giving me money to do whatever I want is what makes me want to be more responsible with money.

Regardless, I have better parents than I give them credit for.

One Thought

I have quite a lot more things to say. But I really just wanted to say…

I’m really glad I’m here.

Sometimes I think, that my friends, through circumstantial evnts, have a wrong impression of who I am. But you know what, I’m learning that’s okay. Because your reputation is what people think of you. You’re character is who you are. So long as you don’t purposefuly try to mislead people that is. I wonder what my friends here think of me, my local friends too, because as much as I am Dan, being in a new environment naturally puts me in a bit of a new light.
You live, and you learn.

Oh, and being homesick? Definitely healthy. It just means you have strong ties to those you leave. That’s always a refreshing thought isn’t it?

Grey and Gray

Sometimes, you never know what kind of tricky situation you’re in, until you’ve encountered both sides of the issue.

It was already weird being Asian American in America. Even though most of us live in California (or New York), the truth is, we’re very much a minority in the US. When we go to the Midwest, we’re an anomaly, a strange sight to be stared at. Even in our homes, we have to deal with this strange pull of Asian ideals, culture, and parental upbringing with the sometimes opposing American values we grow up with in our society. Everyone seems like they have to choose one of the two sides, and either be a fob, or white-washed. Very little room for being in the middle. And then we’re taught in various places to “embrace your ethnicity”, that “you’re Asian for a reason”.

But if you think it’s weird to be AA in the USA, try Asia.
Suddenly, sometimes I’m not Asian at all. In fact, in general, the moment locals here figure out that you just look like a local and are actually from America, the sweeping generalizations are passed onto you. You obviously don’t know Chinese (or don’t know it very well), can’t read or write Chinese, don’t know the culture here, don’t know the values, have become ignorant and well, spoiled.

Of course, not everyone thinks this way. Some of it is self inflicted as well. But to be truthful, it can’t be avoided. How do you wander streets knowing that your eyes immediately are drawn to the English and not the Chinese, knowing that you can only read half the menu to the waitress, and have to order saying ‘I want this one’ because you can’t read half the characters?

And I’m lucky that I can even read half the characters. My Cantonese might not be the strongest here, but I’m realizing that out of most people I know the most of the written language. Actually I’m lucky I can even speak some Cantonese and that I pick it up somewhat quickly again.

It’s a tricky place to be. Almost like you’re forced to pick if your Asian or American, and knowing that you will never be fully accepted by either. Learning to walk the middle with confidence I guess comes with the package.

On English

A few other things on my mind, so I don’t forget.
-being Asian American in Asia
-the next 2nd generation Asian Americans
-the judgmental foreigner
-the lonely foreigner
-the beauty of public transportation

But today, I want to talk about the English language. As an Asian American, knowing English wasn’t exactly a great accomplishment. I didn’t ask to learn it, I just did. I know a lot of the time my friends and I wish we knew our ethnic languages better. We sit around at night and pout, “if only I grew up in China for a few years, I could be fluent in Mandarin too.” But I realized, I truly have taken being a native English speaker for granted.

The truth is, English is a powerful language. Perhaps not by its innate nature, but if you know English, you have an extremely valuable asset. Take one step outside of America, Canada and England, and a fluent English speaker is probably the number one sought after commodity. If you know English, especially in Hong Kong and China, you’re bound to get an extremely good job. Simple as that. No one who works a “low” job (desk clerks, shop owners, street cleaners) knows English, for the simple reason that if they did, they could find themselves a better job. English nets you opportunities like nothing else.

I really should take a picture of one to show you guys someday, but we even have ads here that encourage everyone to learn English. Roughly translated from the Chinese, the sign reads, “Learn English, Live a Full Life!” Quite a powerful statement isn’t it?

And if that weren’t enough, try teaching English to somebody, in all its rules with billions of exceptions. I heard that English is hard because it is a fusion of other European languages (German grammar, French spelling, and a ton of Latin words to boot). It’s hard, hard to learn, hard to teach.

Can’t take it for granted.

Mumbo Jumbo

I have so much i want to say, so many things to talk about. But now’s not quite the time. I will give a real update soon on some of the things I want to write about.

I will say this. I’ve been here for a few weeks and I already know that my life isn’t going to be the same. Being abroad changes your perspective on things, makes you appreciates the good sides of the ugly, really makes you open your eyes.

I’ve heard a lot of America bashing over the past year or so. I will say this. I don’t think America is the most moral and just country on the Earth. But it gets some things right that other places don’t. And this, I think is simply the nature of us as a group.

Some people understand things and get it right. Others don’t. But we all get different things right. And sharing things can only make us better off.

First, a Review

A quick xanga recap.

Sexyback. In China.
Nonetheless, it makes for an interesting experience. Nothing quite like hearing Justin Timberlake’s latest from the heart of the mainland. Also ‘Sexy Love’.

And in HK? Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?

Anyway, effective immediately, I will no longer post about my Hong Kong life here. I’m gonna find a new home and blog for my HK experience, which I’ll post a link to later. And yes, this adds yet another blog to my several that I have. An unlucky few of you actually know all of my various blogs. It’s like a treausre hunt. Blame Benson for being a catalyst for this change.

I will say this though. I had sushi (conveyer belt style) and mango pudding with some new friends from other UC schools. Burns $$, but oh…so good.

I’ll keep posting about things on xanga, but I think I’d like to take xanga towards a different direction.

So, I will let you know soon where you can find my Hong Kong adventures. With pictures by the end of the week. Dan Hom guarantee, for what that’s worth.

On HK City Life

Has it really only been a few days since I last updated? It feels like forever…

Living here really requires a different way of doing things–obviously some that I like more than others.

[edit] First of all, I’d like to add that I’ve been walking everywhere. I’m already losing weight. I’ll be as skinny as a stick once I come back to the States.

This place is dense. And by dense, I mean, you’re bound to literally run into tons of people as you wander the streets, ride buses, take trains, the like. You get used to it, and leave the apologies only for when you really smack into people. The subway stations are crazy crowded. Even the stations themselves are like mini cities.

Couples abound too. Canto items are quite touchy, and they’re everywhere. The girls, especially the younger ones, are latched onto their guys in such a way it’s funny. If I had a picture (and could get onto my computer) I’d show you. Always leaning into the guy’s arm, shoulder, ah so funny to watch. Canto is a funny language to be romantic with. I’ve been watching a Korean drama that’s been dubbed into Canto. It’s quite hilarious.

I ordered my first dish by myself today in Canto. It was simple, just some ramen bowl. It was good. Only barely over US $2. Too much MSG though. But that’s to be expected. I can’t really tell if people think I’m a foreigner or not. Most of the people on the streets talk to me in Canto. I think I’m getting better at it.

Brownie points for whoever can translate this phrase that’s been stuck in my head. Cheung mut kow gun che moon.

I think the biggest thing I’ve seen is, unlike the US, you buy exactly what you need for the day. Maybe tomorrow at most, but there definitely isn’t anything like Costco. That’s because space is a commodity here. You simply can’t store lots of food. Plus, it’s impossible to carry by hand. As such, it’s a routine to stop by a grocery store on your way home and just buy what you need to cook that night, and that’s it. Very day by day living here.

I have to say, I haven’t been living here for very long, but I can already begin to appreciate some of the unique and different ways of life back in the US. But I’m sort of a city boy, cities are good.

I checked in to my dorm room. Of course, UCSD’s are nicer. But who’s comparing? By the way, after trying to go through numerous check in procedures, I have a newfound respect for international students in the US. It’s not easy being in a foreign land. I’ll post pictures once I get internet up and running. Until then, I’ll be in mainland China.

Anyway, time to go out and do more exploring.

Hong Kong, in a Word

HUMID

I haven’t felt the water in the air when I walk around like I have these past few days in like, forever. And it still rains. It’s nice going inside stores and malls (of which there are a dime a dozen) and getting AC’ed. But it throws my system off when I keep going outside and inside and outside.

I also haven’t done this much walking in a long time. ‘Amazing’ doesn’t begin to describe public transportation here. I never wait more than 5 minutes for a subway train (usually only like, 1 or 2 minutes), billions of buses (although this makes it hard to know which one to take), and taxis up the wazoo.

And now I’m watching Cantonese TV shows to try to help get my oh so poor Canto up to par. Funny enough, the show I’m watching right now is I think a Korean show, dubbed into Canto.

Anyway, I’m not using my laptop right now which I can’t get internet access for at the moment, so no pictures today, although I do have some, including some of some good food. And for God of Cookery lovers, something extra special.

Rock on!