Memories of Hong Kong, Part 1
I had planned on publishing this on Sunday night, but storms happened…
This month marks the 10-year anniversary of the beginning of my life’s greatest test and experience. It was August, 2001. I had just finished grade 6 in a Salt Lake City suburb.
“We’re going to Hong Kong,” they told me. Little did I know that the next four years of my life would test my ability to adapt, while striving to survive in a foreign country with no prior knowledge of the language or culture.
In memory of my time spent in Hong Kong, I would like to share a series of photos from those four years.
Some of my favorite memories of Hong Kong were made on Hong Kong Island (a territory of the overall city). Everywhere else in HK had bumper-to-bumper traffic, millions of black-haired heads bobbing up-and-down to the flow of the walk, and local and franchise retail shops and restaurants lining the inner-city streets. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the hustle and bustle that I could never be a part of in Salt Lake City – but Hong Kong Island just seemed different than the rest of HK.
Central is known as HK’s financial/business district. Think of it as the New York City of the United States. A lot of big-buck Western businesses and companies make their homes in Central and its neighboring districts, such as Admiralty, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay. Instead of millions of black-haired heads bobbing, there were blonde and brown-haired businessmen and women (but mostly still black-haired); they wore suits, carried briefcases, checked their watches and mobile phones, and everything else a busy businessperson does. Instead of the typical Chinese fashion shop or restaurant, the streets were lined with Western outlet shops, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Polo Ralph Lauren, steakhouses, burger joints, and Western-style bars. Most significant of all, though, was that instead of hearing Chinese being spoken 99% of the time (and “Engrish” slang 1% of the time), actual English was a constant sound heard in this part of Hong Kong Island.
By no means did Dior or LV remind me of home, but I guess it was the concept that Western civilization had influenced this area that made me feel like I wasn’t alone in this foreign place. And, of course, I didn’t get to experience any of this until my dad got a job in Central. Many times my mom and I would head down there to meet him after work, go to the gym, and have dinner. By the time we were finished, the streets would be empty and the cart-shops on the infamous stone stairway of Pottinger Street would be folded up for the night.
I’ll never forget walking past a dark Shanghai Tang on the way to the MTR (subway) station, or even a lit one walking from the MTR. I’ll never forget the two-story “something-Gei” restaurant we had dinner at many a-time. I’ll never forget that little building-top park where businesspeople would frequently take lunch. I’ll never forget sitting in the U.S. Embassy, waiting to renew my passport (I will never, ever show anyone that picture!), after walking half-way up a hill just to get there. I’ll never forget paying $35HKD to take the Peak Tram up to the Peak, which provides for that infamous city skyline photo of Hong Kong, Victoria Harbour, and Kowloon (and for the inevitable sight of young lovers making-out). I’ll never forget the time me and my parents saw Open Water at the IFC (International Finance Centre, you know, that one tall building that Batman jumps off of in The Dark Knight, or Angelina Jolie jumps off of in Tomb Raider). I’ll never forget foraging through HMV for the latest American girl-pop CD (yes, I mean Avril, Britney, and Ashlee). I’ll never forget always wanting to take all the escalators to the top of the HSBC building. I’ll never forget the fountain at Hong Kong Park I could sit under. I’ll never forget the Christmas festivities that would take place in that little square near the dock, or the Halloween and New Year’s festivities that would take place in Lan Kwai Fong.
There are so many memories of mine that are associated with these photos, yet my memories cannot be shown through it. Just know that you missed out 
Taken atop a footbridge crossing over Connaught Road on Hong Kong Island, July 21, 2005. This location is approximately Admiralty, near Hong Kong's financial/business district.
Hong Kong is known for some of the longest moving walkways in the world. This photo was taken during a journey home, in which we had to make a five-minute walk from the Central MTR station to Hong Kong station of the Tung Chung Line. 2004-2005.
Lan Kwai Fong is basically known as an "international" hub. Here, you will find plenty of foreign (non-Chinese) people, goods, food, and bars. This photo was taken on New Year's, and it shows the jolliness of locals and foreigners alike. January 1, 2005.
July 1 Marches have sort of become a tradition since China regained Hong Kong as its territory. This photo clearly displays the vast amount of Hong Kongers who believe in human rights. The area is Central, where government offices are located. July 1, 2004.
The International Finance Centre, also known as the IFC, stands nearly 1,400 feet tall. It doesn't look that tall in the photo, but your neck will literally hurt to look up that far. September 18, 2004.
Bank of China Tower at night. What a wonderful and beautiful piece of architecture. January 1, 2005.
Besides marriage and birthdays, do you have any personal anniversaries like mine? I’d love to hear about them.
To be continued…
Hmmm. I thought I was…
Feb.9
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