poets and feast

One of the first things I noticed when I stepped into Hong Kong’s massive airport was the prevailing dim sum smell. I assumed it came from the dining establishment within the airport’s air-conditioned confines. Wrong. This prevailing dim sum smell would be something that I would become aware of on random occasions for the rest of my trip and during subsequent ones- in the malls, on the streets- as if to remind me that this is what Hong Kong smells like.

A certified people-watcher, I subtly rubbernecked my way to lunch on my first day, taking in the sights and (other) smells on my first Hong Kong streets. Thee were fruit vendors with sweet drops (atis) bigger than my fist, vegetables shops, windows with various indescribable animal innards, eating places with inevitable dim sum smells, and people bustling to and fro.

Oh, the crowds. Hong Kong felt like a territory-wide mall sale. The crush of Divisoia, except that in the business district, the men wore suits and the women wore kitten heels. We did one of the walks recommended by the Hong Kong tourism board, starting in the birds, goldfish, and flower market and walking in the endless other markets of Mong Kok. Later, I learned that Mong Kok is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

I liked hongkong. I liked its distinct Asian-ness mixed with the obvious European habits.

‘bah-baaah”

That’s what they said for “bye-bye”