I could start by saying the thing I loved the most, the food I enjoyed the most or the one aspect that amazed me the most but none of it introduces it better than stating one undeniable fact: I absolutely -wholeheartedly- loved Hong Kong.
I don't want to sit and write a what-to-do and not-to-do list while in HK, there are far better tourist guides than me but I'd rather sit down and discuss globalization.
Let's begin.
Isn't the idea of traveling a way of exposing your soul to new, unknown experiences...and food? Then why is it that whether you're in New York, Paris, San Salvador (yeah I know not a big city but it's just for geographical reference so bear with me ok?) or Hong Kong everybody is looking down at their phone?
I love my Iphone. We have an honest relationship based on true, never ending, high school infatuation kind of love so don't get me wrong but how many Iphones and Ipads are there in the world? and Louis Vuitton stores? and Zara's? and freaking Starbucks?
Isn't the idea of traveling that of discovering? I thought it was about going to new places and getting to know new ways of life.
But it seems that now, most places, are living the same kind of life.
I don't have anything against brands, high-end luxury stores, Starbucks or Mcdonalds but how much is enough!?
I want to go to Paris and enjoy -read not on the go- a good cup of coffee. Sit down at a cafe and listen to the cups clinging, the espresso machine bursting and the french people complaining. Give me that good old Paris!
I can't even order at Starbucks. I don't even know how to ask for a small unsweetened coffee in Starbucks language. First the word small doesn't exist and then I don't know what they put in that stuff! Coffee syrup diluted in water? I'm sorry but I will rant about this anytime and they always want me to be quick when I'm giving my order. People need to relax, it's a coffee shop for crying out loud not freaking Wall Street.
I had a far better experience ordering steamed fish with vegetables and clams in a Hong Kong back alley from a street vendor who spoke absolutely no English.
But rant aside that is what I love about big cities, the ability to love and complain about them at the same time, the search for identity in a sea of homogeneous market supply, the vibrant lights, the hectic traffic and finally that sense of anonymity inherent in a city wanderer...world wanderer maybe?
As a closure to my Hong Kong experience I've decided to be at peace with the fact that I may never have a more delicious fish than the one I had there.
I can go ahead and move on to Vietnam now.
-
Photo credits: some are by Heinz and some are by me. We are posting more pictures on our Instagrams in case you want to check them out. Click on Heinz and here is mine :)