Hong Kong

I did not realize that going from China to Hong Kong is really going to another country. I was not prepared to leave China! I had a bad attitude when I arrived... after an early morning flight from Guilin to Shenzhen China, 3 hours of border crossings, plus another hour on the subway to the Central District. Things are expensive, I was hot, annoyed, and felt overwhelmed and disoriented in the big city.

Thankfully things improved from there. I found a small hostel in Causeway Bay which ended up being a 10-minute walk from High Holiday services. I celebrated the Jewish New Year with the Reform Jewish community of Hong Kong -- most of whom are expatriates. People were very friendly, and I made contacts with people visiting from Singapore and Cape Town.

I went up to the Peak and rode the Star Ferry to enjoy the stunning architecture. I shopped in the Ladies Market (I did need two new shirts and a pair of shoes to wear to synagogue). I rode double-decker buses and the tram around the city as well as the southern part of Hong Kong Island (beautiful mountain scenery and great beaches). And I embraced Hong Kong's Western-ness with McDonald's, Starbucks, and Pizza Hut. Hong Kong is electrifying!

Next I head to Shanghai, then complete my China loop by returning to Beijing (where I will spend Yom Kippur). I guess I need to start getting used to border crossings!