Am I a Honky now?

I've made a decision. I am gonna stay in Hong Kong for about a month. As a Canadian, I am allowed to stay for 90 days, upon entry into Hong Kong. So, it's a non-effort for me to stay here. All I have to do is find a place to stay (and I am working on that part).

Over the last few days, I've been absorbing all there is to Chinese New Years. It's considerably different than it is in Vancouver. Back in (my old home) Vancouver, it's almost transparent to the non-Asian residents. There are the obvious "Kung Hei Fat Choy" posters all over the place, but unless you're Asian, that's about all you really notice. Here in Hong Kong, it's WAY different. It seems to be the most important event in the Chinese year. The whole city/country/race shuts down from their regular hectic life, to observe all manner of tradition and superstition.

It's kinda weird to walk around Hong Kong on a weekday afternoon, and see empty streets and closed shops. This is a city that normally runs 20 hours a day, every day. It was like a ghost town here. Very odd. Now that it is "day 4" of the new year, shops are open again, and it's back to normal.

Now that I am in Hong Kong, I am venturing out of my comfort zone, and trying all kinds of other foods. Stuff that I would not normally eat. The Honkies love to put all sorts of things into buns. If it's in a bun, it must be good. Today, I had a green bun with stuff in it that I cannot identify, but it was very tasty - whatever it was. I think that the Chinese have a passion for baked goods that is only equaled in France.

It will be interesting to stay in Hong Kong for a month. I will be spending time working on my portfolio. I've shot a LOT of photos over the last 3 months while I've been traveling. Stay tuned for a Flickr site with a bunch of photos that should allow you to see what I've experienced. I will likely head into China sometime in March.