My, my, my... it has been an interesting start to the new year....
We happened upon a world record setting "Dragon and Lion Dance" on Sunday! The Guinness Book of World Records was in town to document the largest "Dragon and Lion Dance" ever recorded. Dragons are believed to bring good luck to the people, so it made sense to have a Dragon Dance usher in the new year. Although Hong Kong celebrates the traditional Chinese New Year, they also celebrate the western new year.
We happened upon a world record setting "Dragon and Lion Dance" on Sunday! The Guinness Book of World Records was in town to document the largest "Dragon and Lion Dance" ever recorded. Dragons are believed to bring good luck to the people, so it made sense to have a Dragon Dance usher in the new year. Although Hong Kong celebrates the traditional Chinese New Year, they also celebrate the western new year.
At this time of year in Hong Kong the weather is very mild. So last night we decided to camp on the beach at Repulse Bay.
Earlier in the evening we had gotten a bit lost in Causeway Bay and we decided that Kelly would drop her pack and wander inside the "Hong Kong Regal Hotel" to ask for some directions from the concierge. They did not seem to be too keen on offering advice to travelers that were not staying in their five star establishment, so Kelly pretended we had just checked out. Theconcierge then set us on the correct course and we were on our way. We found a scenic place to set up camp on Repulse Bay.
We awakened to a very interesting crowd. We were greeted at 5 am by the revelry of a group of college-aged Hong Kongers. Apparently, they had not slept since bringing in the New Year in grand style (we will leave how they accomplished staying awake for days to your imaginations). After chatting with them a bit and turning down their numerous offers to imbibe in Grey Goose shots at dawn, we learned that one of our new friends was, in fact, the son of the owner of the Hong Kong Regal.
Small, small world.
They offered to buy us breakfast at the Regal, but after witnessing them carelessly litter the beach and get into a heated fight with a cab driver, we decided it was wiser to go our own way. However, we did follow one piece of their advice: Dim Sum at City Hall. Although, in retrospect... we should have realized that their translation of "cheap" did not exactly correspond with ours.
Needless to say, after a breakfast (yes, breakfast) of fried squid, BBQ pork buns, deep fried taro puffs and dumplings, we had spent the remainder of our food budget for Hong Kong! Fortunately, we have brought our own stove on this trek and we have an appetite for bulk rice and vegetables.
On our way out of City Hall, who did we see gracing a concert poster? Who Dat? The beloved Dr. John! New Orleans lives in HK!
From City Hall, we took the metro transit rail (MTR) to the Amnesty International Hong Kong Section office in Kowloon.
We met with a local campaigner to discuss human rights issues and the handling of juveniles who enter the justice system for criminal offenses. After beginning our day with, perhaps, the most privileged (and, dare we say it? - oblivious) young Hong Kongers, we ended the day inspired by some incredibly passionate and dedicated young organizers in Hong Kong who were promoting human rights and mentoring drug addicted youth. It was certainly a day full of contrasts! We also enjoyed a lovely ferry ride back to Hong Kong Island....
Tomorrow we will be meeting with a Catholic Priest who moved from Rome, Italy to Hong Kong to promote Human Rights (specifically for youth and adults in the criminal justice system). He is an organizer who works with Filipino migrant workers, as well as (hopefully) a Legislative Councilor who was instrumental in addressing extreme indeterminate sentencing of youth in post-colonial Hong Kong. We will also be joining AI Hong Kong for a visit to one of Hong Kong's midnight markets in the Sham Shui Po District where we will meet with young women working in the sex trade.
During our 13 hour train ride to Guilin, China on Thursday, we will be compiling the interviews we have conducted and information we have gathered to create a short film. Unfortunately, because of the Chinese Government's control over information sharing on the internet we may not have regular access to Google and Facebook and will need to get creative in uploading posts for the next two weeks. Due to the the risks - not only to our ability to remain in this country but also to those we hope to interview, we will not be seeking out human rights workers and will not engage in social or political organizing in mainland China. We are, however, looking very forward to following up with contacts in Inner Mongolia when we arrive there at the end of January!
We hope everyone is having a happy and healthy start to the New Year!
