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Living in Hong Kong
Living in Hong Kong from 1996 through 1998, I experienced a very different lifestyle, even from Singapore where I had lived on two previous occasions. With a reasonable understanding of Asian culture and having visited Hong Kong twice before moving here, the adjustment was not difficult and I was able to just slot into the fast paced day to day routine of living and commuting in Hong Kong. My first few days were experienced living in an apartment half way up The Peak surrounded in a swirl of cloud that enmeshed the entombed buildings projecting out from the mountainside and producing nil visibility. The oppressive humidity clung to the air like a wet moss to a rock, creating a clammy feel to everything. Venturing down the steep gradient to Central, the noise created from the sheer volume of traffic was deafening. People were scurrying in and out of buildings, darting across roads through queued traffic. To be in the fast lane when you were unsure of your surroundings was like being caught in an undercurrent and carried along with the flow. Mobile phones and beepers were in constant use producing an orchestra of sounds through the tooting and revving of engines.
Opening a bank account was an experience. I first tried Citibank as I wanted their credit card with a photo. In examining the regulations of opening an account, I found the initial required balance horrendous and therefore did not even qualify for an ordinary savings account. Later to my amusement however, I was granted a credit card with no question at all.
All in all, getting about was relatively painless. My first day commuting by MTR to the office was effortless with the transport system being clearly defined and manageable. Little mini buses scurried along darting in and out of undesignated stops. The pollution emanating from the infinite torrent of traffic was suffocating at times when standing at intersections and took some adjusting to.
A few days later when the misty clouds dissipated and the city emerged, the views from the apartment were breathtaking, especially at night. My first impressions of Hong Kong island at night, seen from Kowloon side, never altered in my entire stay in Hong Kong. I was always very much in awe of the magical qualities of Hong Kong and with it’s ability to transform itself at night into something enchanting and inspiring. The vivaciousness of business and enthusiasm in eating and shopping overlapped the day into night. The city appeared to almost never sleep.
The mass of concrete to be seen everywhere was a little daunting when you realised just how many dwellers each soaring high-rise housed. I thought Singapore was overcrowded but nothing there matched the skyline that left little room for views. The enormity of Hong Kong’s population could only be slightly comprehended at rush hour. The majority of the 6.3 million people calling Hong Kong home were squeezed into the metropolis areas with the a small minority dispersed throughout islands and more isolated New Territory locations.
The observations and situations I encountered while living here will remain a gratifying learning experience which has only heightened my love of Asia and it’s culture. The frustrations and limitations were all part of the way of life and the occasional little surprises of warmth and friendliness has left an affinity with a country that was my home for nearly two years.
A useful link for expats moving to Hong Kong.
