DAY 10: HONG KONG DAY TWO

July 15, 2017

Hi World,

I never realized why some of the Asian population did not reciprocate certain proprieties I thought were standard, or why there way of life was quite…serious. Well, I was finally told that etiquette was not taught to the older generations because etiquette meant self respect, and self respect meant more freedoms and more rebellions against the communist government. The simple courtesy of holding a door open or smiling at your neighbor was completely foreign in China and it was not in any malicious manner. I was told that the standard person would just walk by someone in need without any hesitation, for one main purpose. If somebody stepped up to help those in need, for example, someone who is getting harassed, that person will be blamed for harming the victim just by association. In court, the victim cannot even speak out to side with the bystander because the government has 100 percent control. One time, a two year old child was chasing after her brother and was hit by a car, but no one bothered to help her. In fact, she was hit at least five more times before a lady cleaning up trash and who did not care about social standards, finally dragged her off of the street. By that time the child was already dead. Everyone takes care of themselves. Additionally, doctors only work in the morning so if someone is in dire condition the hospital will send home the patient to die so the hospital will not be sued for the death of that person. Finally, there is a festival in South China where dogs are brutally beheaded and tortured for pleasure. Though they ceased to broadcast this festival on tv, the government continues to turn its head. In fact, many of the people who are ready to kill the dogs will offer to sell the dogs to those who want to save them by raising the price and threatening to slaughter the animal in front of its potential owner. Since Hong Kong was of British territory, conditions are different here, but standard in China are much different than what I am used to.

Unfortunately, this is our last full day in Hong Kong. Rosita, who we got to know very well, gave us one more great look into this magnificent island. First, we went on a cable car through the mountains of Hong Kong, above the residents of several monks. This is a very isolated area where meditation and vegetation is primary. From the mountains, it is a thirty minute cable car ride to the great Buddha which stands way above all of the trees. From the view up, you can see the uninhabited islands of Hong Kong that are owned by the government, the airplane hangers, and the beautiful South China Sea. Once we hiked our way up to the top of the Buddha we learned a little bit about the buddhist religion and witnessed several locals worshipping from a distance. The buddhist religion is all about reincarnation and doing good to others to then be reincarnated into a higher spirit. For example, if you kill someone in this life, then you will eventually be reincarnated to something that will be killed like a pig or cattle. Additionally, buddhists believe that the feeling of familiarity to another person you have never met before is due to connection you had with that person in the previous life. For example, that person might have been your spouse or family member in a past life. Something I noticed about the Buddha was the big sign on its chest. I thought it was a swastika. It turns out that it was the same shape as a swastika but in a different rotation. Actually, that symbol was used as a token of peace before Adolf Hitler spoiled its meaning. I also learned that traditional buddhist monks usually only depart from their homes during the day because they believe that there is less of a chance of killing a bug while walking at night. Next, we went to a dining area in the same location where we were served all vegetarian food because meat was forbidden on property. All the food was complimentary as a good will act. I had the best donut tasting bread that I was very excited to take back to the hotel and eat later, when a cattle started chasing me until I gave him my delcutables:( Anyway, that night we went on a boat ride down the harbor to watch the beautiful Hong Kong lights illuminate the sky. Finally, we went to a outside restaurant and shopping area named SOHO for some nightly drinks and Italian, while people watching. This specific area was filled with young students and lots of night life. It was the perfect end to a perfect trip!

Be Brave Today

XOXO

Lyricallivi