First Impressions of Hong Kong

July 31, 2008
It took me 30 hours to get here but its worth it. I've never seen a place like this. I don't think there is another place like this. It really is where the west meets the east. The plane rides weren't too bad at all. Qatar Air says they are a 5 star airline and they really are. They had the biggest selection of movies I've seen. Their food wasn't too bad, they give you as much as you want for free and they even serve hot towels multiple times per flight. The only problem was that the plane from Doha to Hong Kong had a fuel leak. This meant an extra 4 hour delay on top of my 6 hour layover. If I had been at Heathrow this wouldn't have been too bad... there is tons to do in the airport. I probably could have seen a movie if I wanted there... but Doha has NOTHING.

I sat. Then I walked back and forth. Then I sat. Then I passed out on my own lap. Then I sat. Then they moved us. Then I sat. Then we moved again and I sat. You get the picture. When we finally got on the plane I immediately passed out. I slept 6 hours of the 8 and a half. I woke up somewhere over China. This was the only good part of the delay. It got me so tired I actually slept on the flight. This was a big deal to me. When I finally got to my hostel I fell asleep from 10 pm to 11 am. I guess I was tired.

One of the other annoying things was that I sat next to a Chinese man who loved to slurp everything and then smack it. At first he was eating noodles so I thought thats just how it was done. Then he was eating chicken and doing the same thing. It seemed like he did it just to make me mad. I didn't understand the need to smack everything in his mouth. It was like this 'slllluuuuurp... smack smack smack smack slllllurrrp'. I guess there are a few cultural differences I need to get over.

Hong Kong itself is awesome. There are tons of tall buildings AND everything is way cheaper than London. The US dollar still has some power here. After being in Europe and England this is really nice. I got a big lunch, shaving cream and toothpaste for about $10. This sounds like normal but it would have been around $20 in London for that.

Right now I am in a cafe on free internet (Another thing that wouldn't happen in Europe) right on the harbor. I am at the walkway of the stars. Its like Hollywood where all the stars put their hands into cement. Its pretty cool but I don't know any of the stars. It overlooks the harbor and all the buildings. This is really cool here at night because 10 or so of the buildings participate in a coordinated light show to music. I saw it last night as I was getting here but I didn't know what was going on till I read about it. I guess I'll try to see it better to night.

Also, US soccer is playing a warmup match on Saturday night against an African team I think. Im going to try to get tickets. Last night I was watching it and there was no one there so maybe it will be cheap.

My hostel is ok but the room is really small. I have a tv and a bathroom, but the bathroom is a combo. What I mean by that is that it is basically a shower with a toilet and sink in it. It was a bit odd hosing down the toilet when I was showering but I'll get used to it. Also, it has no windows so when I wake up I really have no clue what time it is. It serves its purpose though and for $30 USD a night I'm not complaining too much.

Julianne would love Hong Kong. She would shop all day. They have all the same designer stuff as well as tons of cool local things all for much cheaper. I've seen awesome looking chinese dresses for around $100 HKD which is just about $13 USD. I'd get some stuff for her but I don't have any idea what she likes or any room for it. It a shame going to all these places and seeing so many cool things I want but not being able to get any of it because I have no room for it. Oh well.

I'm going back out now to explore. Talk to you later.

- Alex