A Hong Kong Wedding, Lan Kwai Fong, and more shopping

So during my trip to HK, my aunt told me about a wedding I have to go to because it is my distant cousin's wedding. I wasn't particularly fond of going to a wedding of whom I don't know the bride or groom or anyone else there but to behave on my best Cantonese behavior. It was really nice to see a HK wedding though and I made particular good use of the wine bar. I did not know how much they would feed us but it was like a 12 or 13-course dinner! I had a good time as my aunt Jeanette and I gossiped about everyone there. It was fun just catching up with my aunt over red wine and discussing the differences between American and HK weddings. Also, it was fun to just gossip about other people at a wedding. I noticed a few visual differences:

- the groom wears a lot of glitter...as much if not more so than the bride. Perhaps he liked how it looked on him?
- Weddings can be very casual...I saw many jeans and t-shirts from people my age. The shirts weren't even tucked in either!
- I was the only wine-o there

Afterwards, I met up with some HK friends in Lan Kwai Fong. We went to this one bar Fong, which resembled an Asian fusion restaurant but played really good music. C-club, for those who were in CUHK 2003 is still there but I didn't go in. I can't go back without you. :-) After Fong, we made our usual bar-hopping to bar 7-11 and just drank on the steps overlooking LKF. Ahh, the memories....


The next day, I went shopping with my aunt cause it was my last full day to go shopping in HK. My aunt and I didn't know it at the time but the mall in which we ate breakfast that morning had a G2000 outlet! It's really bad when you unleash me on an outlet beccause I cleaned out the store of clothes in my size. I bought another 5 blazers, 6 dress slacks, 3 more dress shirts, and various other items. I feel so guilty but at the same time, all cost me less than $300 for a week's worth of business attire. I like to think that I'm helping Hong Kong's economy grow; one business suit at a time. Also, I would never find a size 29 in America with as many options as I do in HK. I had to take advantage of the fact I was in HK.

That evening, I treated Aunt Jeanette, Aunt Christine, and a few of their friends to a good bye meal. It was partly to show that I'm now all grown up and can pay for others. I feel like this was my rite-of-passage into the adult world. Last time I was in HK, I was still a student and everyone pitied me (which was nice). Now, everyone's expecting me to play in the major league and hold my own (which is also nice) but it's quite a shift in mentality. I didn't mind as I did have the money and actually, I wanted to return the favor because of how nice they've treated me over the past 3 years. I even offered my mileage to Aunt Jeanette to come to Tokyo for all that she's done for me.

Afterwards, I got a chance to hang out with Wynne one last time. We went to her friend's apartment near Wan Chai. It was nice because all we did was chui shui (吹水）which literally translated means blowing water. I felt like we were in colleage again just chatting, and gossiping. I think my Cantonese improved so much so in HK that even her friends natives started to question my 'American' identity...it was a nice to know sometimes I can "pass" in HK as a HK'er. ;-)

Pictures to come soon...after I steal them from the other people who took them and didn't email them!

Arrived in HK!

I just arrived in HK not too long ago. It was one of the longest rides I've taken...probably 28 hours total for an end-to-end cycle time. What I meant was 28 hours from boarding the plane in Philadelphia to getting off the plane in Hong Kong. ;-) I missed my Toronto -> HK flight because the Philly plane wouldn't take off. We waited on the run way for 2.5 hours! They transferred me through Vancouver which added some more time but I'm just glad I could make it to HK today. Btw, don't ride Air Canada if you can help it...I think there's better airlines with better service/equipment. On Air Canada, I felt like I was in a 60's airplane that could fall apart any second in the sky...

As I was taking the bus into HK, I just realized how much I miss the city. Tall skyscrapers, lights decorating the sky, and myself...riding a double-decker bus using an Octopus card brought back so many memories 3 years ago studying abroad here. My 5th aunt met me at the airport and we had what Margie calls "Yum Yum" at the Hui Liu Shan dessertie. I got the "Yang qi jin lou" which is a mix of Mango ice cream, tapioca, grapefruit, and cocunut juices mixed together. My first taste back in HK brought back so many happy memories. It's a shame I am only here for 4 days but I have to work next week so I have to cut playtime. Tomorrow's agenda: suit shopping, fall clothes shopping, meeting up with old friends, celebrating Mid-Autumn festival with my aunt, and perhaps salsa dancing at Wan Chai or watching the American version of the Infernal Affairs called Departed. My offer to you: if you want to come to HK and I'm in the neighborhood, let me know! I love coming to HK and would love to be a guide/host.

Btw, some friends in Philly got me an iPod nano right before I left to board my plane! It was really sweet and I've been listening to it all the time on the way here. There's no way I can forget you all. Thanks Ting, Francine, Vivian, and Will!

I'll write more later but let's just say I'm very excited to be here. At the same time, I miss my Philly friends a lot now and I wish I could have taken you in my suitcase with me. (of which, it's still in Toronto and will arrive tomorrow).

This is a great song for those who want to listen to it with me. I was listening to it the entire time and thinking of all of the great friends I'm leaving behind. I'll miss you...and I wish you could have flown with me.

Gigi D'Agostino: "I'll Fly With You"