Blade Runner Redux

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Coming into Hong Kong at night is like coming into the beginning of the movie “Blade Runner” - minus the flying cars. Lots of neon, huge video screens, narrow streets teeming with people and crammed with traffic.

Hong Kong is crowded and noisy. Traffic lights beep at you to tell you when the light is going to change, escalators beep at you to tell you when they are coming to an end. Taxis will honk at you before they run you over - and taxis will not give you the right of way. In fact, Hong Kong is the only place I’ve been where traffic lights not only turn yellow between green and red, but also between red and green. I assume this is so buses and taxis can get a jump on any slow-footed pedestrian who may still be in the crosswalk when the light changes.

The British left Hong Kong in 1997, and its Chinese flavor is becoming more pronounced, especially when you move away from the main streets. There you will find tiny streets crowded with stalls selling jade trinkets along side Mao memorabilia, interspersed with tea stalls, and the ubiquitous knock-offs of designer handbags. These narrow lanes also hold traditional medicine shops, fresh market stalls, and open air butchers.

But the 21st century continues. While I was in Hong Kong, the sound of jack hammers followed me everywhere as infrastructure projects and new construction ramped up. I - no kidding - used a map and a compass to navigate some of the enormous shopping malls.

Hong Kong, February 2009

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Photos

Durian
The spiky fruit in the middle is durian - definitely an acquired taste.

Comments

[ASKLIZ]

thanks
Thanks. Pics are so illuminating.