September 19th, 2006 |
Hongkong is a people watcher’s paradise. The millions of people and visitors taking to this city affords one to enjoy them as they go about their daily lives. I’ve only been to a few places in Hongkong but in the malls, and especially the KCR and MTR train and stations, wow, you can already have your eyes full of observing them.
In KCR, most people just chat and talk via their mobiles. I saw many of them, for the entire trip from Tsim Sha Tsui to Tai Wo stations talking nonstop. I wonder how their mobile plans are. It might just be too cheap. Texting (sending SMS) is not much done. While others are busy chatting, some, especially boys and male teens and young men are so engrossed with playing their pocket game gadgets (saw one playing his PSP). Others are just listening to music. Lovers are busy whispering sweet nothings, embracing or the momentary kisses, unmindful of other people watching.
There was this one time, two girls in their early teens, probably high school girls. At first, they were just talking. Then later, they sort of embraced each other then for just a moment, kissed each other’s lips! I was so amused but also shocked that these kids can just do these things in public! People near them just didn’t mind. Hmmm, well, homosexuality has been decriminalized in this city but I was just not prepared to see it being openly practiced considering that this is also a part of China 
In the night markets, Japanese tourists are happily snapping each other’s photos at the hawker food stalls, groups of Chinese mainlanders (can easily be spotted by the way they are dressed and act, well, just like tourists) forming a tight group with a guide and a merchant demonstrating his ware, Caucasians, usually men, going over pirated copies of VCDs and DVDs, tourists new to Hongkong visibly shocked at the choices of food and merchandise available.
In Tsim Sha Tsui, Indians just approach tourists and people for I don’t know what they’re selling. Or the street between the KCR and MTR stations, well dressed Indian and some Chinese women with blond hair selling pleasure or calling out possible customers into their bars. There are also other women who are carrying laminated adverts convincing passersby to try out a soothing massage done by well trained, sexy and beautiful ladies.
In the malls, fashionable people are busily checking out items at swanky and big name boutiques while price conscious people, if they haven’t yet gone to the night markets, checking out seriously discounted items on sale.
At the foodcourts, I was just amused and aghast at the same time that the food served are really huge. Just imagine of almost basin like proportions wherein one can wash one’s face! Really big bowls, with big servings and it seems that many have it.
In the airports, Filipino tourists going back are already carrying large bags and happily chatting about their trip. African men baggage upon baggage lined up for a few meters awaiting check in. Other departing passengers checking out duty free goods for last minute shopping. Regarding duty free goods, well, these might be tax free but the markup they add to the basic price is way way above goods with duties. Just imagine a magazine that I saw in Page One costs around HK$55. In the Replay bookstores inside the airport, the cost is HK$85!
Relive my posts on Hongkong:
Out of the country
Last night in HK
HK: I’m impressed
Back from HK
1st SEA Lepidoptera Conservation Symposium
HK: Chek Lap Kok
HK: A beautiful city
HK: Transport
HK: Central
Series 39: Hongkong
HK: Wong Kar Wai movies
Series 40: Hongkong International Airport
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