Volunteering

At the beginning of February, I switched my work week to four days, Monday-Thursday. This was my idea since business is slow, and I wanted extra time to pursue my hobbies and other interests. One of those interests is volunteering--another New Year's resolution. Last week, I started volunteering at Crossroads, a Hong Kong charity supporting local residents, as well as, needy people around the globe. I am working in the kitchen to prepare lunch for the volunteers and refugees seeking shelter at Crossroads. I worked with two refugees from Somalia who are waiting for asylum in Canada. Working at Crossroads exposes me to new and different people that I would not have otherwise met. So far, I really enjoy it.

Crossroads is located in a remote area of Hong Kong very near China called the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast has some development and a yacht club along a beautiful beach. After my volunteering, I took a long walk on the beach and collected some beautiful shells.

New Friends

In ode to my New Year’s resolutions, I am expanding my horizons. I joined a meet up group on Wednesdays—very cool people. I’m not sure if it because Hong Kong is an international city, or because I have reached out more than I would have in the US, but I love coming together with a diverse group of new friends. Everyone had different backgrounds, races, ages, and stories. It is very refreshing to meet new people who don’t have an agenda and are genuinely nice. New experiences, keep on coming.

Art Experiment

Last night, I went to a fun and funky “art experiment” at a place called Experimenta. I replied to a small ad in Hong Kong’s version of a city paper. The ad was quite vague simply asking for volunteers to participate in an art experiment. The “experience” started at a Victorian-styled tea shop where I was served blueberry yogurt flavored tea and was given a brief history of the project by one of the owners of Experimenta. I was also given a business card that was primarily blank, on which, I was encouraged to write down any nouns that popped into my head during the evening. Next, I was taken to the small gallery and sat in a tiny loft. I was shown 2 art films by a well regarded artist and professor in Hong Kong. The strange part was the TV was mounted to the ceiling with the screen facing the floor so I had to look up to watch it. The whole “experience” was carefully choreographed by an aspiring curator.

It is hard to describe the first film which lasted about 25 minutes. It had very little dialog. The film showed several women filmed in different years and how each woman knew one of the other women. There were scenes of major life events such as weddings, as well as, simple, daily life activities. I really liked how the different scenes were interspersed with very quick snapshots of other scenes which reminded me of how I think and how memories pop into my head. The second film was short and more straight forward showing chairs.

After the films, I was served wine and had a lovely chat with the co-owner about my thoughts on the films, my life, and my beliefs about various topics, mostly women’s issues. The interviews of the participants are being collected for another art project. I was very impressed by the co-owner’s transition from a career in banking to a gallery owner.

It was a fascinating and different way to spend and evening. Here is the website which explains the “experience” better. Scroll down to “Part 2”.

http://www.experimenta-space.net/

Style Baby

You've gotta start young if you want to be a true fashionista. This little girl could barely walk and only had 2 teeth, so she wasn't much older than 1. Check out her patent leather knee boots, panda purse, Hello Kitty tunic, headband, and heart leggings. You go Style Baby.

No Squat Toilets

In mainland China and elsewhere, the squat toilet is the norm. For those not familiar with the squat toilet, it is a flushing ceramic toilet bowl, but it is recessed into the floor. There is no seat, and like the name implies, you squat to use it. Those who are used to using a squat toilet get confused on how to manage a western or "normal" toilet, and sometimes stand on the toilet seat. I have seen footprints on toilet seats in Hong Kong, but I never saw a sign like this one until now. It was on back of the stall door.

Year of the Ox

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Chinese New Year was last week, but I am a bit delayed in posting due to Mom and sister's visit to Hong Kong. The visit was great but too short. Time flew by with all the typical Hong Kong sightseeing, eating, and shopping.

At the Big Buddha:
Horseraces on the luckiest day of the year:
Beautiful picture of the harbour just before the fireworks began:
2009 is the year of the Ox.

The OX year is a conservative year, one of traditions and values. This is not a year to be outrageous. A slow but steady year.

This OX year will bring stability and growth where patience and diligence pays off.

This is a year of Harvest - when we reap what we have sown. Take care of business this year, do not let things slide.

I have drafted my resolutions for 2009, and I plan to heed the advice above. My two main goals are to take time for personal reflection and to do service for others. In order to meet these goals, my blogging may become less frequent. Best wishes for a wonderful 2009.

Varanasi--Last India Post

If you like India, you will love Varanasi, and you will certainly never forget it. Possibly the oldest city in the world, Varanasi occupies an especially holy place on the banks of the River Ganges. All Hindus should come here at least once in their lifetime to bathe in the river. Watching the religious rituals (best at sunrise and sunset) and everyday life of this chaotic, crowded, but most fascinating of Indian cities, is a unique and profound experience. The principal attraction of Varanasi is the long string of bathing ghats, which line the west bank of the Ganges. Ghats are the steps which lead down to the river from which pilgrims make their sin-cleansing dip in the holy river and on which bodies are cremated. A boat ride on the Ganges at dawn, when it is full of pilgrims, is an amazing experience.

Erik and I came to the conclusion that Varanasi was the last stop on the trip, because if you went there first, you'd be completely turned off. It is like India on steroids.

What the above description fails to mention is the Ganges is believed to be the most polluted river in the world. Much of the pollution is caused by the tens of thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands) of bodies (cremated and not) dumped into the river each year. Along the river banks are many crematoriums where we saw bodies being burned, as well as, a funeral procession. There are huge mounds of trash on the banks of the Ganges, but people still bathe in and drink from the river. We took a boat ride at dawn through dense fog. I truly felt as if it was a ride on the River Styx. Old people often make pilgrimages to the Ganges to die in the river. Men like this one are everywhere in Varanasi. A homeless family with three small children living on the beach. Note the piles of trash and the cow eating it in the background. Buddhist pilgrims also flock to Varanasi to visit one of Buddhism’s most important sites 10km away at Sarnath. It was here that Gautama the Buddha preached his first sermon 2,500 years ago. The Archaeological Museum is worth a visit to view unique Buddha masterpieces.

Sarnath was very crowded with monks and nuns, because the Dalai Lama was speaking there the next day. I'll conclude with this short story: I overheard an American tourist striking up a conversation with someone while waiting in line. She said her tour guide told her India stands for, "I'll Never Do It Again!" It is easy to see why this phrase is popular. Erik and I do hope to do it again. It is a fascinating country of sharp contrasts--an amazing experience.

Erik's best pictures can be found on Flicker--click here.