But what about Hong Kong? First time I visited I knew I had to come back. We got along well, the city and I. It wasn't the physical emotion as with Barcelona and New York, but spiritually it got to me. And yes, Hong Kong has many spirits. Most of all, it's the city of contrasts.
Work
Hong Kong is a lot about work. Work, work, work. Everywhere you see people in suits, the city is filled with fancy shopping malls, expensive brand stores and luxury cars. Next to all these money you have the other hard working population, the 85-year-old woman still selling fruit and vegetables at a stand on the street, the 79-year-old man still sweeping the streets, the 14-year-old girl who's waitressing at her family's local cafe/eatery, the 5-year-old kids in school uniform on their way to school. It's work from early age, no matter if you are rich or poor.
Safe
Hong Kong is safe. So far I haven't felt unsafe anywhere here. I never hear of bad neighborhoods, I never heard anyone who's gotten mugged, beaten or even threatened. Honey told me to close my purse when we were up in people packed Kowloon, around Women's Market, but that is just common sense. Hong Kong is a safe city. Women can actually walk home alone from the subway or bus without worrying. That feeling alone makes me love this city.
Green
Considering how many people, cars and buildings there are in Hong Kong, it is a surprisingly green city. Usually you don't have to walk far to see a park. The park may be small, but it still means something. It's not just concrete and roads, there are green areas where people can sit and relax, sit and talk, or, as they do in the mornings, exercise of all kinds. The parks makes Hong Kong even more human, more alive. It's not only parks, there are trees and flowers planted all over the city, and they are truly city trees, because they survive all the pollution coming from the traffic. Sometimes I wonder if they are mutated haha.
Friendly
Hong Kong is friendly. It has to be with so many people living here under so many different circumstances. Generally people mind their own business and they don't step on each other's toes. We all have our burdens. When I walk in to a restaurant where I am the only white person in the room, they don't care. If I need help at the store and the person I ask cannot speak English, he or she will find someone who does. Let me give you an example; I was trying on wedding dresses and the lady who helped was alone in the boutique and didn't speak English. She went through the effort of communicating with me by calling her daughter and I spoke to her on the phone to find out the information I needed. That is service. And yes, people do get out of their seats in the subway or on the bus to make room for an older person. It's so nice to see. However, people generally don't hold up the door for you, because if you do you will be standing there the whole day due to the constant flow of people :). Most doors close super slow here anyway, there is virtually no risk of getting the door slapped in your face.
Hong Kong has so much to offer. It's modern and old at the same time. For example, many buses offer free Wi-Fi, but when I get home I have to turn on the gas manually to get hot water. There are escalators almost everywhere, but in the public bathroom I have to stand and aim in to a hole on the floor.
It has contrasts, it's alive, it's beautiful. It's Hong Kong.
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