Day 40 - See you later Hong Kong

Hong Kong you've thoroughly impressed me but now it's time to go.

Your convenience, your attitude, and your grit both impressed and scared me. It's no wonder my grandfather can be so loving and scary at the same time.

Growing up in NYC, you often think you live in the biggest and best city in the world, but this is simply not true. While NYC may be the most well known city in the world, it does have some catching up to do. Certainly there are still things I think NYC are better at, but you simply can't ignore the things that the other cities are better at.

For example when I was in Seoul, I was blown me away by the way they incorporate modern technology into everyday life. Have you ever tried paying for gum with your credit card? In Seoul you can. Walking from one train cart into the next? Easy! Press a button and the glass door opens for you. And just about everything in South Korea is not only functional, but cute, pretty or beautiful.

Then in Hong Kong, they're unbelievably organized and efficient with the ways they serve their large population. Train platflorms have markers telling people where to go, where to line up to get on, and which carts are designated quiet carts. You can charge your transportation card in seconds at 7/11, and you can use it for all sorts of things like to buy food, or even pay for the binoculars on top of the famous Victoria Peak building. There are literally dozens of examples I can think of that the HK government has thought out to make things more convenient for their residents and tourists. Buses with TVs, buses with luggage compartments, train stations with conveyor belt escalators, free Wifi at malls and public spaces, soup and herbal kiosks, ect.

To date Hong Kong has 7.2 million people and NYC has 8.2. What is our excuse?

Another thing I'd like to mention about the people in Hong Kong is that they've got grit and attitude. What do I mean? I mean 80 year old grandmothers cussing left and right with no shame. Passengers who are not hesitant to tell my grandfather to grab one of the priority seats on the bus because it is his right, and people who are not afraid to tell off others when things aren't done the way they want it. All this in contrast to the generally more passive attititude in China, makes Hong Kong a really different and special place.

Hong Kong I learned like New York is also a city of immigrants, and in the process of learning how my grandparents migrated to this buzzling city, I also learned that my great-grandmother had once lived and worked in Singapore by herself for decades before returning to China. A solo female traveler in search of a better life in the 1800s is by no means an easy feat, and I'm so proud to learn that she was my great-grandmother. It sounds kind of silly but in a way by going to Southeast Asia I feel like I'm reliving her footsteps.

Thanks everybody so far for following me on my journey. Hope to see you in Bangkok!

Day 03

Churros
Hongkik University
Grocery shopping
Cats
Airplane cold 

Hwa-jang-sil

Happy belated cinco de mayo everyone!

There is actually an odd fascination going on here in South Korea with churros. They have them in chip form, in their convenience stores, and they're sold on roadside food stalls. I wonder how that got started.

Anyhow my third day here was a relaxing one but I had to take it slow because I am feeling a bit under the weather. I think it's from the low humidity on the airplanes and the time difference. I woke up at 5am once again and cannot sleep.

During the day I walked around the neighborhood that I'm staying in and just pretended to be a local. I even went to the market to get food. The area that I'm staying in by the way is the Hongkik University area, and because it's one of South Korea's top art schools, this area is jam PACKED with artsy coffee shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and shops. It is the hip place to be. It is also where a few of those cat cafes and dog cafes are if you've heard of them.

So it makes sense when I was walking around I noticed a lot of young Korean college students, as well as foreign exchange students and tourists. Korean students here by the way are really well dressed and I know why! There are shops and stands EVERYWHERE here selling tons of cute clothes for very reasonable prices. I was really tempted but had to stop myself. Maybe on my last day here I'll pick up a few items.

See, no sidewalks,

While that was fun it was also a bit overwhelming for me. I walked around for about 1.5 hours and I was exhausted. After that I went back to my friend's place and made myself a little salad with the food I bought earlier on and took a nap.

If you're curious, the price of food here is pretty comparable to the U.S, but it does vary a lot too. For example, strawberries and lettuce were the same as U.S prices, but bananas for some reason were quite expensive. I think I bought 1.5 lbs for like $5 dollars? But things like water and eating out seems a little bit cheaper on average. 

                                       

Useful Korean phrase #2 is hwa-jang-sil, which means bathroom! I had to learn that after eating at a restaurant and couldn't find the bathroom in there. I am also passing off as a Korean person exceptionally well, almost too well, because when I buy things everyone greets me in Korean and then because I don't want to be rude I smile and nod. But they're probably thinking I am rude because I don't say anything back. Dilemma.

                                  

                                                             One of my housemates.

I have more pictures but this blogger app doesn't seem to want to cooperate. Will post next time then!