Hong Kong is smaller than you would expect; about one third the size of Manhattan. Hong Kong has roughly the same number of people as New York City in roughly a third of the space. One of the first things you notice about this town is how small it is- not small in human presence, personality or scope, but rather small in area (which of course if measured in Kilometers). The subway, or MTR, which runs on the northern, most populated and active part of the island can be rode from end to end in 25 minutes.
After understanding the size of the city the next unavoidable fact of life here is the speed. Everything is faster: the pace on the street
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
What I know... The Trip Ahead
Here are the things I know, right now, for certain. Beyond this short list, I am not sure I know anything.
I know I am leaving the United States in 17 days for an indeterminate amount of time. I know, I will be boarding a plane with my wife who I love and trust deeply and when I land I will be in Hong Kong. The weather in Hong Kong is "Sub-Tropical", which to me means Tropical. My winter coat along with a majority of my possessions will land in a storage unit somewhere in Union County, NJ. The Chinese call Hurricanes, "Typhoons".
I know that I will be unemployed by the end of next week, and while I expect to get work quickly this is not something I know. Finishing a 7 year run at the JCC in Bridgewater has been emotional- leaving families, swimmers and co-workers has been draining- I will miss them all, more then they know.
I know we will be living in something called a "serviced apartment" which is not likely to be larger than 700 square feet. While the daily cleaning and in home laundering service is a nice perk, getting used to one of the world's most densely populated cities will be an adjustment.
I know Hong Kong is an Island (mostly), and it has huge skyscrapers, a fairly major mountain range and beautiful beaches. Their are parks and people tell me this town is similar to Manhattan in many ways. I know, this town will be different than Manhattan in many more ways that it is similar. Hong Kong has roughly the same number of people as their are in NYC; HK is one third the size.
I know one Chinese word.
I know I will miss my family, friends and dog- I know my mother is worried. I know I am scared, excited and ill prepared. I know I will see things I have only imagined and others that I have not even dreamed.
I know I am leaving the United States in 17 days for an indeterminate amount of time. I know, I will be boarding a plane with my wife who I love and trust deeply and when I land I will be in Hong Kong. The weather in Hong Kong is "Sub-Tropical", which to me means Tropical. My winter coat along with a majority of my possessions will land in a storage unit somewhere in Union County, NJ. The Chinese call Hurricanes, "Typhoons".
I know that I will be unemployed by the end of next week, and while I expect to get work quickly this is not something I know. Finishing a 7 year run at the JCC in Bridgewater has been emotional- leaving families, swimmers and co-workers has been draining- I will miss them all, more then they know.
I know we will be living in something called a "serviced apartment" which is not likely to be larger than 700 square feet. While the daily cleaning and in home laundering service is a nice perk, getting used to one of the world's most densely populated cities will be an adjustment.
I know Hong Kong is an Island (mostly), and it has huge skyscrapers, a fairly major mountain range and beautiful beaches. Their are parks and people tell me this town is similar to Manhattan in many ways. I know, this town will be different than Manhattan in many more ways that it is similar. Hong Kong has roughly the same number of people as their are in NYC; HK is one third the size.
I know one Chinese word.
I know I will miss my family, friends and dog- I know my mother is worried. I know I am scared, excited and ill prepared. I know I will see things I have only imagined and others that I have not even dreamed.
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