Saturday, February 13, 2010

Flying Pan Friday

Being away from home, away from family and friends, it can sometimes get pretty lonely for us. So when you hear that a friend of a friend is in town, you make the effort to meet up and hang out together. It's actually pretty fun meeting up with people that are almost strangers to you on the other side of the world, knowing that to begin with the only thing you have in common is the 5995 miles from home you both are... Maybe that's what makes it so easy?

Friday evening therefore turned out to be fun! Not sure if it was the 7eleven drinking on the street (everybody does this - not just those who are under age and 7eleven even have a bottle opener on hand for you), finally finding a bar that I like or the 5am visit to the Flying Pan that made this eve a cheery one, but it was!



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Another thing... Look at this! With half the fat and in a red wrapper...

Friday, February 12, 2010

Tiger Celebrations for all

Celebrations begin this weekend for China and also one of my best friends Gemma. As GP kicks off celebrations in Manchester to commemorate her 25th birthday, the people of Hong Kong and China are to welcome a well deserved four day holiday as the Lunar New Year festivities begin. I am sad to not be with GP this eve, but as I celebrate the new year this weekend in Hong Kong, I will also be thinking of my friend as she grows one year older and wiser... Let's hope this year is a good year for all. Welcome the year of the Tiger.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

People of Hong Kong: Take 1

Since my move here I've wanted to take photographs that try to really capture the people of Hong Kong, however, I wasn't sure the best way to go about this. After seeking some professional advice, I tried secret snapping, I realized this will take practice as the framing of my shots just isn't working out.
Yesterday as we were scouring a flea market I finally plucked up the courage to ask people outright if they would let me take a photo of them. To my delight my first three subjects loved the camera, some were thrilled to pose and some were happy to...

In return for the photographs we bought a small piece of jade from the laughing lady and a Qin Qin guitar (which we are going to make little songs with) from our talented music man. As he played his wife manned the shop (above).

Monday, February 8, 2010

Time-travel

This morning I awoke at 6am local time, an early start for me. I switched on CC-macbook to listen live to BBC Radio 2 as I was getting ready for my outing. It was some good music "Clare Teal presents the best in big band sounds from the 1930's to the present day". I signed into my FB account and sent the listen live link to my Swedish twin, who proceeded to listen live from the Scandinavian Peninsula part of the world (a time difference of 7 hours). As she was unwinding down I was waking up. Listening together, our bodies in different time zones, our ears shared the sweet sounds of the 1930s and traveled through time.


Sunday, February 7, 2010

"Right as rain"



























Today I woke up to the comforting sound of rain drops. Lots of them, pounding against the window. There really is something so reassuringly English about this sound. Looking out of my window my surroundings suddenly came to life, colours are bouncing off one another, buildings look clean and fresh. The sound of the rain drowns out the noisy crowds below. Welcome Mr Rain. I missed you.