My Neighborhood in Lai Chi Kok

So I've finally settled into my new apartment, it's located in Lai Chi Kok, in the heart of a local community, an urban regenerated post industrial area, within convenient access to Central (Hong Kong Island) and work (of course). I'm on the 11th floor and my apartment is South-East, facing an amazing portion of the city of Kowloon looking towards HK Island. It has been my retreat from the craziness of the city and my everyday work madness. So I've gotten over not going sight seeing. What I'm more into for the moment, is local culture and being a part of it =) (promise I'll get back to the touristy trips later!).

Today was a beautiful misty Sunday afternoon. Having been recommended a few local bargain places to buy furniture by some of my colleagues, I decided to go furniture hunting around town-- without knowing where it's really located. So as expected, I got lost and wandered my way into Sunday's open air markets, which was a pleasant surprise. I meandered through the narrow streets, as always, full of people, this time truly Chinese and only Cantonese speakers. The past few weeks have been a slow yet gradual Cantonese learning process (I was even named in Cantonese by all of my colleagues!), so I thought I'd take a shot at buying stuff in Cantonese though I wasn't any good. Having regressed back to my cravings for fast food (KFC, Mc Donald's), I also took the opportunity to buy some fresh produce and even fish!

It was nice to see the less materialistic side of HK though a bit of a sight with ducks, chickens and pigs hung across the way and live fish ready to be eaten. Blocks after blocks of fresh & raw food stacked up out in open air, so at times my thoughts went into how sanitary things might be and whether or not I should attempt to purchase them. But the flower markets and clothing vendors made up for that sight, I will definitely have a collection of flower pots to arrange at my balcony-- how I love the freedom of having your own place to live!

Well, that's my spill for now. I never got to the furniture store. fyi, work has been very hectic as I prepare for site surveys and meetings in Vietnam. I am scheduled to go there next week and will be gone for an entire week. I'm excited yet afraid of what lies ahead, lots to be done in Vietnam, wish me luck!