New Year's Day

Don't worry; I have had some positive experiences in Hong Kong :) Yesterday, after a nap, I decided to get out and experience all the throngs of people milling in the streets outside the hostel. Many had clearly come from the nearby New Year's Market in Victoria Park and were carrying the spoils. These ranged from beautifully arranged gladiolas, orchids, pussy willow branches, and peach and plum blossoms, to every sort of inflatable kitchy toy imaginable. I can understand little boys running around with huge inflatable pigs or inflatable shields and swords. But grown men unselfconsciously carrying large inflatable lollipops with pigs heads on top? And lets not forget the inflatable cigarettes, pigs on a stick, hammers, and silly hats.

I went to Victoria Park to catch the action at its source, and it was a site to behold. It was difficult to move down the aisles because there were so many people, but everyone was in a fine mood. I spent a long time taking photos of all the beautiful flowers; they really were a sight to behold. There were large cooking stations at either end of the park, but alas everything in the pot looked a bit too scary. So I splurged and went out for sushi instead.

Being a singleton, I thought I would get placed at the bar, but they stuck me with another table of two instead, a man and woman who were clearly on a date. We didn't really talk to each other during the course of the meal, except that the woman helpfully informed me that I had just poured vinegar, not soy sauce, into my dish!! My eyes were way bigger than my mouth, and I just couldn't finish the last two items. But everything was excellent, and the bill still came to about $15.

I stayed in bed for a while this morning, partially because I had been coughing a lot the night before, which couldn't have made my roommates happy. I think it was also because the prospect of taking 7 pills, my inhaler, and prescription cough medicine was just a little more than I wanted to deal with. I decided to explore the Western Market, which unfortunately was closed when I got there, it being both Sunday and the Chinese New Year. My focus then shifted to Hollywood street, which is known for its antiques. It's also the site of Man Mo temple, one of the original Buddhist temples in Hong Kong. People were still pulling up by the carload to light incense and pay their respects at 5 pm. From there is a large set of steps leading up to the mid-levels. My lungs weren't quite up for the whole thing, but I made it as far as several street cats, who I tried unsuccessfully to coax over. At this very moment the "lady of the cats" showed up with food and water for all 6 of them. Apparently she is part of a neuter and release program in the area, and she feeds about 50 of these cats every day. Now that is dedication.

I am torn between the need to make sure that I have completely recovered from the flu and my desire to leave this place forever. Perhaps its foolish to think that everything will magically be better in Vietnam, but I can't help wishing so.