The HK.

This separate post is no oversight on my part. It was no mistake that I did not include this section on my Hong Kong experience in the China portion of this blog-athon. In my humble (ha!) opinion, Hong Kong can barely be mentioned in the same breath as China. Yes, it's that different. Sure, the city is plagued by large quantities of black hair, small feet, and almond eyes, but please consider these:

Top Ten Reasons Why Hong Kong is so much better than China:

10. Efficiency: These people know how to gather and move. In high human traffic times, the metro stations route people appropriately as to avoid intersecting. Escalators change directions to accomodate more people traveling in certain directions, entrances and exits change to allow commuters to avoid moving against each other. Brilliant.

9. Chairman Who? Communism is subdued there. The governing bodies of HK are constantly battling with the Chinese in order to maintain the liberal and free thinking policies that were allowed while HK was on loan to the British for a century. Websites are unblocked, people protest in the streets, bookstores import literature freely.

8. The Food: I know I say this about every place that I like, but it's no coincidence. I like places with good food. Hong Kong is an international cuisine epicenter. Yum.

7. No Yellow Sea: I like that not everyone there is Asian. Call me racist, I just like a little variety. China is so solid yellow it makes me anxious.

6. Hustle Bustle: the air about the town is exciting. I like it. Big deals are being made, big fun is being had. It reminds me much of Manhattan in that manner.

5. Language un-barriered: Everyone there speaks English. Easy.

4. A major international city means that one could find just about anything you might desire either in store or online for comparable prices to the the States. China, not so much. My grandmother requests American Oil of Olay, because her neighborhood drugstore charges her double. Quelle ripoff.

3. There are options. The territory of Hong Kong consists of HK island, Kowloon side on the mainland, and a conglomerate of over 200 surrounding islands. I dare you to avoid adventure.

2. Dreamed and then planned: I don't know the exact truth in this statement, but I believe HK has made great use of urban planners. The skyscrapers are well spaced, the streets are well placed, and the skyline is breath-taking. Major cities in China are all a big ol' mess.

1: Lushery: HK is green! The city is nestled up against a row of hills on the island. This, combined with its latitude being within the tropic zone means trees, vines, and greenery just minutes from the downtown financial centers. You could be hiking within 15 minutes of a board meeting...... not that I would ever want to be caught dead in any kind of board meeting. Also, the city boasts many parks and recreational areas, all of which are so important to keep me happy.

In conclusion, I must admit that I have been heard saying, on the record, that I could live in Hong Kong. Holy bold statement. I have never felt that way about anywhere in China before. Possibilities.