October 21, 2005
China Memories 5
Macao
Now Macao had been a Portuguese colony until 1999, whence it completed its 500 year contract and was turned over, once again, to Chinese administration. 500 years, however, does leave its mark on a place and the cultural contrast here is even greater than in Hong Kong. Traditional Portuguese architecture is mixed with local Asian design and the effect is stunning. Having lived in Portugal for some time now, it kind of felt like a home away from home. Even though I was only there for a few hours. A must visit is the Macao Tower, for a 338 meter “bird’s eye view” of the area. Breathtaking.
China Memories 4
Hong Kong
Having had a brief glimpse of Hong Kong on the bus ride from the airport to Shenzhen (and of course the idea one gets from movies) I was anxious to discover the city. I was not disappointed. The first impression you get is one of complete awe at the skyline. the number of skyscrapers is really amazing. Yet the best regarding the skyline was yet to come. The next thing that gets you is the amazing mixture of people. Of course the British influence is still felt with whole pub culture and drinks in the middle of the afternoon bit. But it is really a crossroads between East and West, and the ethnic groups walking the streets really make Hong Kong a melting pot.
At night the city transforms itself into a dazzling show of neon lights and the skyscrapers come alive. At eight o’clock every evening residents and visitors are graced with a symphony of light as the main buildings shoot their lasers into the night sky in a coordinated manner. On special occasions there is a complementary fireworks display as well. Truly beautiful, particularly when seen from the Kowloon (northern part of the territory, linked to mainland china) area, as the sea reflects the lights from above. Although i didn’t see much more of Hong Kong, I did get the main feel for the place. People were generally friendly and there was a stark contrast with the mood in Shenzhen. Like a kind of weight is lifted from your shoulders...
China Memories 3
Window of the World
This theme park looked at first sight like “just another theme park”. but the experience quickly transformed itself from “just another theme park visit” to “I want to go to all these places”! As a true window of world cultural heritage, Window of the World presents its visitors with scaled down versions of most of the well known global attractions. Some of which I have visited, but many which I had no idea of. The result was a desire, a burning desire, to go to all those attractions. A desire to travel and see and contact with the cultures on display. This I think is the best compliment that can be given to a place like this: that it makes you want to go to all those sites depicted there.
China Memories 2
On the beach
After a week of “cultural” training, where we were presented with the company’s code of conduct, an outing was arranged together with a few other departments to go to the beach. This would turn out to be a great day. Not only was everyone very friendly, but there was a wholesome atmosphere in the air. A kind of harmony that just was not apparent during work hours. We all sat round barbecue tables in groups of ten or so and basically everyone cooked the food they wanted to eat. Communication was sometimes difficult but all in all, everyone made themselves understood. Besides lunch, the day was spent with beach activities including volley ball, soccer, tug of war, card games and of course swimming in the warm waters of the south China Sea. Dinner was held at a restaurant close to the beach where we had traditional Chinese dishes – all very delicious.
China Memories
Either for lack of time or simply for being engulfed in the whole experience that was China, the chronicles were not realized. However, I do think it appropriate to write down some of the memories now, as a reminder to myself of the wonderfully different culture that is China.
I entered China through its southern “gate”: Shenzhen, a bordering city with Hong Kong. On leaving Hong Kong airport one is presented with many a skyscraper of apartment building. Definitely a city that would require a mandatory visit... Had it not been for that initial sight, Shenzhen would have been impressive in itself as a city of many high rise buildings. A modern industrious city, it is a showcase for China’s rapidly increasing development and economy. And whoever enters through here is bound to think that they are entering into a highly developed and modern society. Yet this is far from the truth. I would come to realize that this facade was built up to present the western, developed countries with an interface that would allow for interaction at both business and social level. That, and a special zone where local private initiative might have an opportunity to flourish.
The corporation I work for is something of a mirror of the state run country. New local employees are required to undergo and initial training that among other things includes a military discipline not much different to that of the official army: lining up in platoons and shouting out replies to what I’m sure are orders or strong words of encouragement from some superior. This was somewhat of a surprise as on the first day I arrived at the hotel complex (which belongs to the company) I heard these shouts and wondered: “Where am I?”. It soon became common though, seeing new colleagues lined in platoons being marched on to whatever it was that their “tutors” were saying.
Post insignificante
São 2:20 da manhã e não consigo dormir. Numa noite rara de insónia, vontade de escrever um post insignificante.
E pronto. Aqui está.
October 11, 2005
Three
Post for the 10th October 2005.
Time does fly. Look at you! Growing at an alarming rate and already three!
Memorable moments: On Sunday you learn't how to ride your new bicycle.