12.14.09 from Kathmandu Part Two: Hong Kong

We arrived in Hong Kong after a sleepless red eye flight via Dhaka, Bangladesh. As the plane touched down, we were quite surprised at the beautiful steep mountains and ocean bays that compose the city. Another surprise came when I saw how all-out our hotel was celebrating Christmas. Christmas music on loop, trees, lights, decorations everywhere. It apparently became an entrenched part of the culture during the 150 year British occupation, which ended in 1997. (China had given Britain a “lease” on the territory). We then enjoyed what is the Hong Kong uni-meal, enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks—“dim sum.” A multitude of small dishes are shared by the group. Unfortunately, Hong Kong is not a vegetarian friendly city and if you don’t eat exotic sea creature body parts (squid eyes anyone?), you don’t have many options in certain restaurants.

It took me a few days to recover from the sleeplessness/over-eating at Thanksgiving party, just in time for a spectacular tour of the city. We started at the ocean-side convention center and then climbed (by bus) to the highest point in Hong Kong. continued past Jackie Chan’s castle-like mansion and to the beach. Then came the marina and a fun boat ride (several pictures on my flickr account) to a floating restaurant aptly named Jumbo. After lunch, we proceeded to a nunnery and a lovely garden area, where we had grand views of the full moon. The evening concluded at the Walk of the Stars along the ocean, which features a life-like statue of Bruce Lee, Hong Kong’s most famous star.

The next day, we were in full event preparation mode for the launching of a nonprofit organization named after the Chinese Princess who was instrumental in bringing Buddhism to Tibet in the 6th century (Wencheng Gongzhu). The dinner took place at a fancy hotel ballroom and was designed to bring in large crowds of celebrities and influential Hong Kong residents. I could no longer get away with flip flops to match my suit and tie, so had to get some dress shoes. By some miracle, they had a size 13 available in the clearance section (though I had to settle for size 9 dress socks, which is as large as they come there).

Before the dinner started, I joined a team of 5 Tibetans to fold up 500 ceremonial silk scarves, which would be offered later to the Buddhist teacher. I was then informed I would be the teacher’s bodyguard, along with my Tibetan friend. I picked the teacher up at his room and brought him down the stairs onto the red carpet area, which was teeming with models, actresses, businessmen and even China’s top golfer. The tabloid photographers snapped away on the red carpet and the next day over a dozen carried photos and a short article on the dinner.

The dinner program started with a series of Tibetan dances. A group from India came to lend their talents, which was especially impressive during the snow lion dance. Two performers team up inside a snow lion costume and dance around the room while doing a comic routine. It has to be seen to believed and left many with their jaws on the floor. You can see the video here.

After the dances, Rinpoche spoke to the crowd about the organization and all came up to offer him traditional white scarves. We then worked until about 1 a.m. to clean up and pack up the stage decorations.

The last night in Hong Kong, I went out with my friend to the tourist bar district. There were hundreds of freelance prostitutes there from the Philippines and some from Thailand. At the bar, they would swarm the rich American and European businessmen, often 5-6 prostitutes per person. They got about 50% commission for each drink purchased for them at the bar and tried to arrange additional services beyond that as the night progressed. Fortunately for me, I was not dressed like a businessman and it was evident to the savvy prostitutes that I was not worth much. Some of them frowned in disgust when they found out I was a Buddhist helping out with a teaching rather than a CEO on a business trip. Despite this strange dynamic, the dance club we went to was fun and we met some nice people there.

Many good pictures of Hong Kong at my Flickr account.