One of the things that becoming an ExPat for the FIRST time has given me, is a renewed sense of anticipation and appreciation for the basics in life. Everything from getting a hair cut to grocery shopping to attending school events is new again. Even more than when we have moved before...and lord knows we have done that...moving Internationally is like being a child again. You really SEE things, ask questions, and really learn! I find myself being very present in everything because I am trying to take it all in so that, in a way, it can become natural and I can take it for granted again, LOL! You know what I mean? The challenge will be to let living here become "easy" and natural but stop just short of letting myself cross over into the "taking for granted" part. It is a gift to suddenly notice everything, even when it is hard or uncomfortable.
Some "first" experiences of note:
FIRST HAIRCUT AND COLOR - Salon services here tend to run a lot higher than in the states so I had this great plan where I would just try to hold off on the big ticket items like color for when I came home to Windsor for a visit. This plan failed miserably when, one evening while curled up on the couch with Joe, he said, "Wow, you have a lot of grey hair!" It was not said to be mean, just an observation as he lovingly looked down at what he expected to be my luxurious locks! You can imagine how quickly I sat up and turned to him with a horrified expression. By the next day I was making an appointment for a cut and color! What I found was that, as usual, it IS different than what I was used to but it was quite enjoyable and I still looked like me when the "job" was done. It was 3 full hours of pampering, a head and scalp massage, delicious tea, three different guys gushing over me, and an experience that had added value for the added price I was paying in HK. Joe and I have seen other barbershop-type places in the very local areas where they advertise a cut for $50HKD/under $7USD. BUT they speak Cantonese only and it is a pretty basic, one dimensional cut so we are going to enjoy the pampering of this experience and have learned, yet again, that we just have to let our perspective shift to a new normal.
STILL ME...
FIRST DOCTOR VISIT - Going to the doctor is very different too. If you call to schedule an appointment it is usually no problem to get into the office quickly and be seen. Our doctor is part of a group called International Doctors and he is British. There is no language barrier and when you get there you are seen pretty much on time and if they run a little late they are SOOOOO considerate and apologetic. When you go to the exam room there is no sterile environment, they don't weigh you (thank you God, finally my prayer answered), they don't do a pre-exam, and they don't hand you a piece of paper to slip into! You pretty much sit down in what is the doctor's office with his desk as well an an exam table in it and you TALK. Yep, you just talk about what is going on with you and then if needed he will examine you but still, no need to disrobe. If you need a prescription it is filled on site through their own dispensary so you leave with everything you need. Done! When Alex needed x-rays we jetted off to the hospital and within a very short amount of time, he was done and we left with the diagnosis. None of the, "we'll let you know in a week after our person looks at them and then we'll send them to your doctor and if you are lucky you'll know something eventually." We left with his x-rays in our hands and Alex is thinking of starting an art grouping on his walls in his room because he is getting quite a collection! OH, and the cost was surprisingly cheap too.
FIRST TIME TRYING TO DO SOMETHING DURING PEAK HOURS -
So, as I navigate through my new life in HK I am finding out that you don't want to go to lunch at 1:00pm here. EVERYONE goes to lunch about 1pm.
This is what you will be faced with...
I am lucky because I can make my way around the city at various times of the day but sometimes I hit commute times and then...
This in what the subway/MTR is like. These are the moments when I am reminded of the huge population here.
That is Joe's arm trying to hang on!
And then there is the typical visit to the ATM. Going to the ATM usually involves an area or room with up to 12 machines and lines at each one.
FIRST TIME I TRIED TO BUY RICE - Obviously rice is a staple in the diet here. I knew that. I also know Joe watches his carbs because of cholesteral so we haven't added the rice to our daily diets yet. I decided to make a dish that requires basic long grain rice and put it on my grocery list. Hmmmmmm, I'm not sure how to get just a little bit of rice for cooking...
I didn't buy any. I don't think I would ever use enough. The rice comes in the size of huge dog food bags! That recipe is on hold for now.
FIRST TIME I WENT TO USE A BATHROOM WHILE HIKING -
One thing that I like about the contemporary parts of Hong Kong is how beautiful and clean the restrooms are. They are always attended by someone and they are very private with full length cubicles and doors that tell you if they are occupied. None of the bending over to look for shoes to see if anything is available! Some of the bathrooms are like works of art they are so beautifully appointed...
They are filled with beautiful marble, chrome, wood and the latest in contemporary plumbing. THEN there is the older, more traditional China bathroom facility that I came upon one day while hiking with Joe. The squat pot...
I am going to need some time at the gym and some leg work before I try to use one of these babies!
I have many more FIRSTS and adventures to share so stay tuned. I am taking pictures and keeping notes on all the things I want to tell you about!
