Fili’s world

“Behold, the ones who live ordinary lives. Beware, for it is the truth and sacred secret that will be spoken to you by thee. As the Giladdah walked the HongKong-yamana world with great humble and brave spirit, he pondered the true nature of humanoid existence. Inner power brought meaningful insight that will shake the face of the earth.”

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“Daridalaldadad, Rolex, boom digi-daga, fake-fake, nishtiminaga, Hashish-hashish, popominglishimo, big breasts”. The HongKong Mansions. This is the lowest of lows I’ve set to in my exploration of mankind. No need to wonder why I did it like that, sometimes I just do.
No shower in 2 nights, no “long toilet” in what seems like forever, I woke up in my crappy room and I knew that there’s no waiting any longer. I got out of my fairly okay tiny tiny room and headed towards the never okay tiny tiny shared toilet. “Buddha, if it’s not too much trouble, please ensure that they’ve cleaned the shared toilet/shower this morning”. Buddha doesn’t like me lately, or maybe I haven’t been burning enough smelly things in temples, but the tiny tiny shower and a toilet in a square cm wasn’t cleaned that morning. “This is life”, I smile deep within, “this is how some people live”. Thank Buddha Vanina isn’t here to witness this shameful existence, I kept thinking. I try my best to put up things and prepare by testing for hot water that will never come. Then, in my last moments of having any human dignity, my perfumed clean towel from home falls flat on the floor next to the smelly toilet “ENOUGH!”, with all due respect to authentic HongKong experience and Buddha’s way of sharing experiences with the less fortunate - screw THAT! I’m outta here

These are the moments when clarity washes over and the mind turns needle sharp. You start noticing things you haven’t noticed before and your mind works a lot faster.
I did try and find a better room the night before, but I always ended up realizing how fortunate I am with the room that I did get. Going to the “mansions” next to mine, I saw endless hordes of various dirtrag people in the filthiest tiniest places this world has ever seen. In HongKong, 15-20US$ will only get you so far, “so far” being the HongKong notorious industrial tall buildings they ironically call ‘mansions’. At least my room was clean and quiet, I said my thanks every morning, and at least I don’t have to endure prostitution, heroin-addicts and all kinds of low life like the other building.

Calming my self down by walking around the “guesthouse” floor 13th, thinking what to do, I noticed something different going on on the 12th floor. Now, 12th floor might seem like it’s just next to the 13th floor, but it’s not, since the elevators go every other floor. So, in order to go to the 12th floor, you need to go down the whole way, change elevators and go up to the 12th floor. I was sure there were stairs somewhere, but they were always occupied with so many Chinese people that the elevator is the easier choice.

Indeed, at 12th floor I’ve found what I was looking for. A 2 square cm room with private toilet for the a slightly higher price, with nicer owners, and better overall conditions. My Mandarin has proved useful once again for cutting down prices sharply, as I could listen to them arguing how much to charge me. I knew my Chinese would come in handy sometime :P. I had myself a shave, the longest shower ever, just about finished a full bottle of liquid soap, and barely stopped myself from burning everything I wore up till then. I’m a new man…

I’m in a great area, at the heart of Kowloon. I might be at the mansions, but at least they are well located. Hong Kong is gorgeous, very different than what I expected in so many ways. If Taipei has apparent Japenese influences, then it doesn’t come as a big surprise that Hong Kong is very British - at least in appearance, and you got to hand it to the British - they might be a bit ‘different’ in the head but they do have their own style.

Self reminders :

Tueday - Registering for my VISA at the Taipei office. Going up to the peak for a gorgeous HongKong view, walking around and enjoying Central. Taking the Star Ferry ride back to Kowloon. Watching the unbelievable HongKong building lights show from the Avenue of Stars.
Wednesday - HongKong Art museum, getting my approved 2 months VISA to Taipei, seeing the extremely interesting HongKong History Museum (compare to Singpore’s history), watching a weird Korean movie, going to one of Kowloon’s night market (with some Chinese chess on the side).
Thursday - Sik Sik Tuen Wong Tai Sin Temple (Wong Tai Sin), Kowloon Walled City Park (Kowloon City), Mongkok night markets.
Friday - Lantau Island with the Giant Buddha, Po Lin Monastery and the Wisdom Path.
Saturday - My last day so I’m just chilling out not doing too much. A ride on the bus to nowhere, Kowloon park, Edward mang haizi (?) streets, another cute HongKong movie