Body and beats

E-word,

Voluble lately. Can't shut me up! While in Asia, I came to the conclusion that a lot of travel is really gratuitous, more about saying that you've been somewhere than actually having wanted to be somewhere (I actually have to say that I had come to this conclusion a while ago, but now that I've experienced it, I can be more definitive). El has a friend who is living in Hong Kong, so we made a jaunt there, since we had a free place to sleep and didn't have to pay airfare (El had frequent flyer miles on Asiana). While there are definitely things to like about Hong Kong (the Hong Kong Island skyline is just delicious, especially seen from Kowloon. I also very much enjoyed the mid-level pedestrian escalator), there's really not that much to see for a tourist. There is abundant shopping, sure, but only if you're into junk or luxury goods (and if you're into luxury goods and are from the east coast, New York is plenty close enough). The food was good (our very kind hosts advised us and took us to fine restaurants, and we had memorable moments), but El and I don't love Chinese food like we love Japanese food, though eating dinner at the Temple Street Market was pretty cool.

After two days there, we were basically tapped. I can see living in Hong Kong, but visiting is really not so great. On our third day is when I realized that this trip was really just passport stamp collecting. We decided to go to Macau, and since Macau is another country, we had to emigrate, which meant an additional exit stamp from HK, and then an entry stamp for Macau. Upon leaving Macau, we got an exit stamp from Macau, and ANOTHER entry stamp for HK, which of course necessitated a final exit stamp when we left HK, and of course an additional entry to stamp to Korea.

This is not to say we didn't like Macau. I know that Macau is a gambling destination, but I liked the colonial architecture of the older areas. That actually got me to thinking about whether or not I have some self-hatred, because I find myself attracted to European colonial architecture wherever I see it, and was pleased to be away from the Chineseness of Hong Kong. Not that I'm Chinese, but I'm Asian, etc, etc. Anyway, to get to the point (because I'm realizing my mind is drifting like exhaust plumes), if you've seen one colonial town, I think you're really seen them all, and there is ultimately no point in going to Macau or Hong Kong unless you love Chanel and gambling or have a job there, or want to impress someone that you've been to stupid Hong Kong.

Love,

Toe