HKGW03: Top 20 Random Observations

1. the octopus card is INGENIOUS. it's this smart card that you fill up with funds and use to pay for public transport (bus, tram, MTR). you also can use it at many grocery stores, convenience stores, and even some restaurants. it's awesome. i have been tempted to just put a bunch of cash on mine and use it for everything...right up until i lost it last week. fortunately, i lost mine when it was empty. i got a new one (which cost 50 bucks HKD (use the nifty converter on the side bar to see that in USD) to replace), and i now have a special draw-string pocket on my new/ugly bag that is ONLY for the octopus card and ensures i won't lose it again. i had been keeping it in my back pocket and must have accidentally pulled it out or it fell out when i was sitting down.
2. cream cheese is surprisingly good on pizza. the local pizza hut is advertising this specialty cheese pizza, and we got it this week. it was delicious, but unexpected.
3. local bakeries pack surprises in their baked goods. we got something called cocktail rolls this past week. they are super yummy....contain a filling of margarine, coconut, and sugar. we did not expect this...thought they were just rolls...the kind you eat with dinner.
4. pizza-flavored chips actually taste like bbq. i am hooked on these chips that are in a red, white, and green bag with pictures of pizza all over it. they don't taste a thing like pizza...they taste exactly like lays bbq chips back home!
5. i have yet to see a dirty car here. what i do see is ayahs washing cars and hand drying them.
6. i also see ayahs walking dogs.
7. i also see ayahs taking care of elderly folks...pushing them in wheelchairs for time outside, giving them massages and physical therapy in the park.
8. since i began reading the book, factory girls, i am looking at ayahs with new eyes. this book is INTENSE and it is eye opening.
9. i am constantly amazed by the number of people that take the time to help me. several times this week, i have had people help me with the kids on the buses. you see, we don't have our sea legs yet, and a bus does not wait around for you and your two small kids to make it to a seat before it takes off. many, many gentle and well-meaning hands have reached out to catch quinn or livie and make sure they get to a seat safely.
10. i have yet to find a speed limit sign for our street. traffic is pretty crazy on our street in part because there is at least one driving school on our street, but also because there are young men who like to race their maseratis up the steep hill that crests just above our apartment building. we have seen only one accident and one near-accident.
11. hongkongers don't like rain. i have noticed in the last few days that even though it is raining very lightly most of the time, hongkongers are all bundled up in rain boots, rain jackets, rain hats, and umbrellas. i have gotten many scathing looks and even a couple comments about why i have me and the kids out without rain gear. i know that soon enough it will be the rainy season and we WILL have to get some hard core rain gear, but for now, it's fine. as nancy says, we are wash and wear.
12. it is rather difficult to walk in a crowd while holding an umbrella and NOT poke out anyone's eye. it's a good thing i am taller than most people here.
13. i am fascinated by fashions here. there is a look that i shall call contemporary slut, and it is totally acceptable and common place (and the people wearing are not acting like they are wearing it, if you know what i mean). my eyes nearly fall out of my head every time i see a young woman wearing tights underneath very short shorts and with high heels or sneakers. it's the strangest look i have ever seen be "normal."
14. i am amazed by the number of women i see wearing high heels. this is a place of much walking, and these folks are walking in very high heels for very long distances. i am in awe.
15. i also am fascinated by perfectly wavy hair or spiky hair or whatever hair that seems to be impervious to the humidity here. my hair used to be curly...it went straight when i was pg with olivia, and has not curled since. until i moved here. i now have all these little curls in the front of my hair that are due to the humidity. there must be a hair product i am not aware of. shellac, maybe?
16. i can't remember the last time i saw so many people smoking openly and everywhere. the irony is that most of the area is posted as a non-smoking area. i am not sure how the smokers manage it, but they do.
17. my favorite thing to look at right now is store fronts. clothing stores are absolutely beautiful here...they are lit with soft, pretty lighting, they are full of shiny glass and mirrors, and the are beautifully arranged. in comparison, home goods and food markets are chaotic and i cannot fit into them with the kids. i am beginning to live for saturday and sunday when i can get to the market BY MYSELF and not have to squeeze and hold my breath every time we three turn a corner. we actually had to back out of the wellcome twice the other day because it was so crowded with shoppers and stock boys that we could not walk in with the three of us (q in the stroller).
18. i cannot figure out walking patterns here. at home, i tried to always walk on the right and get my kids to do the same...to follow natural traffic patterns. everyone just walks wherever here. i can't tell you how many times i have had to pull livie into me to keep her from being trampled by someone walking straight at her without slowing down. i guess they think they can just push her aside. they haven't seen my mama bear yet.
19. i gave up on the local store brand peanut butter. it was the consistency of wall paper paste and had about as much flavor. i happily paid 5 bucks USD for a jar of skippy.
20. i found honey nut cheerios at the international market for about 4 dollars (USD) less than at the american market. that will be our first and last venture into that store. i also found that bread (crustless, no less) is super cheap at the international market (it's also cheap at the wellcome, but even cheaper at the international market).