Hong Kong, China and Farewell

"Take Leave
the conscious mind

Found myself

to be so inclined

Why sleep

in discontent?

Oh the price

of companionship

My shadow runs with me

underneath the Big Wide Sun

My shadow comes with me

as we leave it all

we leave it all Far Behind

Empty pockets will

Allow a greater

Sense of wealth

Why contain yourself

Like any other

Book on the shelf

My shadow lays with me

underneath the Big Wide Sun

My shadow stays with me

as we leave it all

we leave it all Far Behind

Subtle voices in the wind,

Hear the truth they're telling

A world begins where the road ends

Watch me leave it all behind

Far Behind" - Eddie Vedder

Hong Kong

I only heard good things about HK before I got there... and boy, they were ALL right; what a city! It is one of those places where I would definetly live if I was offered the opportunity.

It has everything that appeals to my senses; big steep hills full of green vegetation, islands, beaches, all kinds of multicultural people, cool bars and clubs, relatively cheap, nice temperature, good food... I could go on and on...

HK was an British colony until not long ago (about 10 years) and although they are part of China, they have remained somewhat independant. There is a border and customs office between HK and China for example, and they have their own currency. It has allowed HK to remain a metropolis and not get lost when it re-attached itself to China. Because of that, they still have a lot going on that the British legacy left them, like driving on the other side of the road, the 2-story buses, and the organization. Being a small piece of territory, and so strategic at the same time, it has a lot of people, so streets overlap each other with bypasses and roundabouts. Many sidewalks, specially around the busy parts of the city are built above ground, so the traffic at street level is kept to the minimum. It also means the city grows upwards, so you encounter countless skyscrapers all over the place.

On the other hand, it has its China part too, with street markets selling pretty much everything you can imagine, stores of all kinds, and massage parlors on every corner. Massages are part of their culture, so is ancient practices like Tai-Chi which I saw some practice on rooftops.

Every day at 8pm there is a lights show on the bay between Kowloon (mainland) and Hong Kong island. Some of the main skyscrapers have lasers, lights, projectors, signs, all dance to this elevator music. Cool, but for one-timer if you know what I mean.

Shenzhen

The part of China I saw was really nice. I mean, it was clearly less opulent than HK, people hardly spoke any english, I saw neighborhoods with unpaved roads, people carrying volumes of stuff I could not believe on bikes, and much more unorganization. I also saw nice buildings, modern malls, and the incredible hotel/resort we stayed in for the World Cup, where service was the most amazing thing I have experienced. It was so much it made me feel bad at times, it was almost as having slaves everywhere. Very uncomfortable.

We went to a local market a couple of times. There they knew a little english. The phrases they mastered where: "my friend", "copy watch?", "cheap for you", "come in my stor", and "give me best price"... this last one since you could bargain everything you bought, usually you would not pay more than a 1/3 of what the original price was. It was mentally exhausting the first time we went, the second time it was much better. They asked you for 900, you offered 200 and then simply left the store right away instead of starting talking through a calculator (where they typed their price and you countered typing yours)... they would ruyn after you, drag you back in the store and sell it for 200. Amazing.

Farewell

People, my trip has come to its conclusion. There are lots of things I would have loved to share with you.. because indeed there are lots of things I haven't had the chance to tell you about, because of time, because my memory fails, or because I didn't think it was relevant. I apologize for that. The fact is that I took the plane and flew all the way from China to Chile, and now I am sitting in my parents' house, once again... and very exhausted. But this time I am not going anywhere else, I am staying here. What will happen now, what will I do, who knows... another adventure begins in the motherland!

I have no way of knowing how many of you read and kept up with me. Just know that if you received the link is because I definetly want to keep in touch with you. I have been VERY lucky to know and have friends in various parts of the world. I am grateful to be your friend.

For all my people in the US, thanks! for many things, but mainly for being my family, friends, supporters, teachers, confidents, angels (you know who you are ;)).. basically my world for 7 years! I will never forget you!

For all my people in Chile, thanks! for waiting and still being "there" even though I wasn't. I am back for good, and we WILL catch up!

Thanks for reading... keep in touch!!

The End