Coming back here has made me realize how insane the drivers are in Hong Kong. It takes as much guts to walk down the street as it does to drive, back there. The people with cars are amazing at maneuvers, and there’s a lot of forcing into lines since people will generally not let someone in (although it’s much, much worse in China). I think I understand the basis behind the entire bad Chinese driver stereotype; since the cost of owning a car is very high (gas prices are three times as expensive than they are here, parking is pricey and not even a guaranteed spot), people never learn how to drive until they leave Hong Kong. However, at this point, they’re too old to really become good at driving, and follow the more aggressive rules of the road they grew up with.

I can now shave perfectly without a mirror.

Finally, finally got back after a grueling day of traveling. It’s much faster (about six hours) to fly east home than it is to fly west to Hong Kong, something about wind currents. It feels weird to be leaving Hong Kong at 1:30 pm local time, and then arrive home at 2:30 pm local time.

Got caught at customs, although I feigned extreme ignorance, played it cool, and the customs guard let me off pretty easy. I still had to pay tax on the things I bought, although at a reduced rate, and got a warning. Actually, I still ended up sneaking a bunch of (non-illegal) things in anyway. Now I’m $200 wiser.

It’s a funny feeling to get “caught” at something like this. There’s no persecution, worst case is just a heavy fine. Yet being challenged about how honest I am just makes me feel bad anyway. I’ve always hated, hated, getting in trouble (or caught at least), even if the consequence is just a lecture. It’s completely opposite of John; he would just pay the fine, admit that he’s wrong, and think nothing of it. I think that I just can’t stand the idea of someone not liking me, whereas John has absolutely no problem with that.

A look at the worlds largest bronze Buddha located in Hong Kong. It’s perched at the top of a mountain range, and can be seen from extremely far away. As one drives up to the mountain, the outline is visible against the sky from an hour away. It’s an amazing piece of construction; the inside is hollow, where people can set up longevity tablets, and there are three floors of Buddhist murals. Some of the best feng shui in Hong Kong is in that area.

This is where every store has a set of Christmas lights, thousands of sparks dangling from the awnings. This is where the subway is packed with people, all wearing their party clothes, trying to meet up with their friends and family. Where the cross harbour buildings have gigantic, moving pictures on their sides, created from intricately set lights and timers. Where there’s euphoria in the air and shopping bags in hand. This is where the jewellery store guards have traded in their berets for santa hats.

This is Christmas in Hong Kong.