What's different about Hong Kong

Walking:  Ever thought that walking in a big city might be an easy way to get around and see the sights? Well, walking in HK has its challenges.  As Jeff says, HK is a perpetual "step class".   We go up and down concrete steps all day long, and they are made for size 6 feet!  (Andrew beware)  Next to the famous escalators are corresponding steps to use when the escalators are not moving in the same direction that you are.  I counted how many steps there are between our apartment and the fitness club: 350!  Steps aren't the only challenge - sidewalks tend to come and go.  You can be strolling along the sidewalk on a main street (e.g. Hollywood Road), and suddenly, the sidewalk on your side of the street ends!  and it ends at a busy intersection with no traffic light!  and the cars are driving on the "wrong" side of the road!  eek!

Elevators:  In public places, there are elevator control staff to line the crowds up and direct them into the elevators.  I've noticed this in the HK Central Library, Sogo department store, and the Immigration building (where we got our HK i.d. cards).  No pushing, very orderly, and very polite.  (Reminds me of my summer job as an elevator operator at the Queen E. Hotel in 1968)

Attention David Sax (author of Save the Deli):  Delis here aren't the same as in North America.  In Jeff's blog of December 16th, he mentioned walking on Lamma Island and noticing the "Deli Lamma".  This week's South China Morning Post reported that the manager of the Deli Lamma appeared in court charged with allowing it to be used as a drug den!

Hong Kong is a city of festivals.  The Arts Festival is getting under way at the end of this week.  The subway escalators are lined with advertisements for the various entertainments of the festival, including a concert given by Sa Dingding, an award-winning Mongolian singer, whose "versatile, ethereal voice weaves a sonic tapestry of four languages - Tibetan, Sanskrit, Manadarin and a self-invented tongue."  The posters show her in a Shiva-esque pose, covered in coloured stones and jewels.  You can check her out on youtube.  An acquired taste!

The Literary Festival is coming in a few weeks.  Alexander McCall Smith is the biggest draw.  All of his events are sold out!  I've got tickets to see him "in concert" (literally) with Louis de Bernieres (Captain Corelli's Mandolin).  The lineup of authors is interesting, however the locals are complaining that in past years the Booker prize winner usually makes an appearance, but Hilary Mantel (Wolf Hall) has declined to show up this year (or perhaps the sponsors didn't offer her enough of an incentive).

We ate at an Italian restaurant the other night.  They advertised peking duck pizza.  Will try it next time.  They serve duck more often than chicken in Hong Kong.

McDonald's has 24-hour delivery.  Restaurant deliveries are on scooters, with boxes attached.

I've also seen "meals on wheels" delivered this way.

Dai pai dongs have become our favourite eateries.  They are Hong Kong's answer to delis and fast food. The fare is standard Cantonese, and we often have "won ton mien" for lunch - won ton soup with lots of noodles.  A meal at these places runs about $3-4!  Jeff and I ate at one in Kowloon recently (before the parade).  You'll notice the mini temple behind Jeff's chair, and the overcrowded tables in the restaurant.  They turn the tables over about 3 times an hour!  And they are masters at turning a table for two into a table for six.