Cell out
In the land where everyone has at least one mobile phone, how does one stand out from the crowd? Easy: buy a Versace cell phone. It will only set you back…HK$54,000 (US$7,000).
Comment (0)Sunglass Shopping
Jason has tried on every pair of glasses at this small stand. The proprietor hates him.
Comment (0)Tin Wan
The area where I work, Tin Wan, is very low end. It is separated from its higher rent neighbor, Aberdeen, by a large cemetery and a daunting four-lane roadway. It has a housing estate, several 7-Eleven stores, and more cha chaan tengs (local cantonese restaurants) per capita than should be legally permitted for a healthy population. But this is normal in Hong Kong. What Tin Wan lacks are familiar western comforts (aside from a McDonalds, which is so entwined with global culture that it can hardly be considered distinctly American).
There is one exception to this rule, though. There is one hotel in Tin Wan that is frequented by low end nouveau riche mainland Chinese tourists (there are, quite literally, hundreds of millions of them). On the first floor of this hotel is a store that purports to be an Italian chocolate shop. It stands out in Tin Wan. I have not eaten anything there, but have provided some local photos for you to enjoy.
N.B.: While writing this post, a man passed me carrying a fish impaled on the end of his umbrella. He was smiling. The fish was not.
Comment (1)Tropical Cyclone Lionrock
For some reason, this is still hanging around in the South China Sea. So now we’re under Tropical Cyclone Signal #1 (the lowest warning signal). We have been instructed to take the following precautions:
1. Some precautions against damage should be taken now, gutters and drains should be cleared of obstructions. Hinges, bolts, locks and shutters of windows and doors should be checked.
What do I do after I check the hinges and bolts?
2. People living in wooden huts and in low-lying areas should take necessary precautions against strong winds and flooding.
If Jason had his way, we would be living in a wooden hut. Thankfully, reason prevailed and we are definitely not in a low lying area.
3. Those who have definite duties during a tropical cyclone should now remain on call or contact their control centres from time to time.
I have no idea whether or not this applies to me! I have no job description at work, so how do I know if I have any definite duties during a cyclone?
4. Since there may be swells, you are advised to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports.
I’ll put off my ocean water polo tourney another day or two until this clears.
Fresh Air
Dan posted this link in the comments, but I think it’s awesome (in a sad, “modern life is killing all of us” kind of way) and want everyone to see the video below. Thanks, Dan!
Link to NY Times Article
Link to Clean Air Network Site
Video
There are definitely geographical factors that contribute to the high levels of pollution here (just like southern California), but this past week has been pretty bad. The air just isn’t moving, so the pollutants (and heat) are just sitting on top of Hong Kong. Luckily, neither Jason nor I have to go to Causeway Bay (one of the worst areas at times like this) on a daily basis and where we live the air isn’t too bad.
They have to do something about the buses and taxis here, though. There is too much idle vehicular traffic contributing to the pollution at street level. That said, it’s encouraging to see a growing environmental awareness among people here. China is very interested in solving the air pollution problems here and along the eastern coast. They plan to close 2,000 of the most heavily polluting factories (this is where totalitarianism succeeds) and rebuild the plants to meet their current environmental regulations (see NY Times article). We’ll see what happens. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be too hard to build a plexiglas bubble over the entire island. Somebody has probably already drawn up plans for it. They could even sell advertising on the inside! This is a fantastic business opportunity!
Comment (0)Going to Work
It’s rare that we get the elevator all to ourselves for the 61 floor morning descent. Today was one of those days.
Comment (0)September!
Just needed to post to start the third month in our archive and make the blog seem more legit. Oh, and to gloat that it’s still 80+ fahrenheit morning, noon, and night here. September used to mean 50 degree mornings and 75 degree days in Boston. It was very annoying to bike in that weather. It required way too much preparation in the morning. Now I just keep wearing my summer dresses right through October! I haven’t even worn a jacket since moving here! I was dismayed when I went to the mall and noticed that Zara was selling wool skirts and sweaters.
“What are those for? Does it get that cold?”
“Nah. Those are just to keep you warm when you go into a mall.”
Jason’s cynicism aside, the malls are over air-conditioned, and I really don’t know when anyone would need a wool skirt outdoors.
Comment (0)Even the frogs are running …
… er, hopping from the sea in advance of the typhoon/tropical storm. This one ran straight for me much to the delight of the erstwhile fishermen with whom I share my lunch spot near the water. I don’t entertain them quite as much as the trio of Japanese girls wearing stiletto heels and Miss Sixty skirts who come to smoke by the water at lunch every day. Needless to say, they look a bit out of place in the Tin Wan fishing community. Those girls entertain me, too. They literally ran from this poor little frog.
Comments (2)Typhoon Shelter
They don’t call this a typhoon shelter for nothing. When all the boats are parked here during the day, you know something’s brewing offshore. It’s name is “Severe Tropical Storm Lionrock,” and I don’t plan on messing with it.
Comment (0)Giant spider descends on metropolis
Seriously – 8 inches at its longest span.
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