every morning?
So why? Because we’ re practical. Land is precious in Hong Kong given that 7.3 million people live in a tiny area. Since resources are insufficient to cater everyone, we settle people like books on a bookshelf to mindlessly make the most of every space.
Also, when it comes to the arts, our obsession with being practical becomes clear. Most Hong Kongers deem the arts abstract with no real value. The unwritten study list also says business and science are the‘ real, tangible, hard’ subjects but the arts aren’ t.
Of course we know art; however, is it necessary? Could we make a mountain of money out of it? Deep down, we know dreams won’ t guarantee us success or wealth; however, are they the only reason we live? Wealth looks like success; however, who defines success?
In short, there are some problems rooted in Hong Kong, like working mentality, living condition and our overly practical mindset. So is Hong Kong just … ugly? That’ s why I want to write this article: to show you the other side of Hong Kong. And this, I dedicate to my foreign friend, Kai.
Kai and I met in a language exchange meet-up and we hung out with the group a few times. He is an American go-getter type of person. Often travelling, going to the top of the buildings, parachuting and stuff. So different from a homebody like me, and he is the one who helped me to see the other side of Hong
Kong.
A lot to explore One day, we got lost finding the restaurant we wanted to go to. He stopped and checked Google Maps. We then turned left to a dark alley where I saw rubbish bags, sewage, rats and graffiti. I thought to myself,“ Oh my god,” eyes busy looking at the floor to confirm I wouldn’ t step on anything disgusting.
If not for him, I’ d never have gone into any of these dingy alleys. Looking for the lights is what I usually do, and so do other Hong Kongers. Light means safe. Also, if we got lost, we wouldn’ t have to worry. We could easily find an MTR station in the open.
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