Here are a few random things I have noticed about HK:
-This ain’t China. It seems odd to say, but the people seem very different here. This place seems much more like a less culturally diverse New York / London hybrid. And whenever mainland China is mentioned, I swear I detect mild hostility or open disgust from the locals.
-Along with the above, the locals don’t seem to be subject to any censorship. At least not on the TV or Internet.
-Hong Kong has a lot of interesting architecture and business that happens in-between spaces, especially going up hills and stairs.
-Like something out of Blade Runner, the signage is crazy and everywhere, but kinda cool.
-I have never seen a city where more people have their shirts off. (West Hollywood during pride festival notwithstanding) These people are mostly (by no means all) manual laborers, but it is interesting nonetheless how culturally more acceptable it is here to have one’s shirt off.
-On my walk this morning I noticed an extraordinary amount of people working out in various ways. Lots of Tai chi, running, walking, swimming, yoga and even outdoor weight training. And all ages were participating. This seems like a culture that values physical health. I also noticed a ton of sports clubs and health facilities.
-So many malls, so little time.
-They have these wacky wide taxis here that they claim hold five. But should there be three or four in the back? We actually took one of these back to our hotel last night. (all six of us. It was a squeeze.)
-According to my internet and last night’s reconnaissance, HK is a city that only parties on weekends.