I love big cities. The energy, diversity, pace of life. I'm definitely a city girl vs. a country girl. However, I hate staying in big cities for longer than I have to when I'm traveling. I want to experience life different than what I'm used to. I prefer a little bit of chaos. I love immersing myself in a place so different.
I feel like you lose a bit of culture when visiting a big city in a different country. People are always on their smart phones, not speaking, quickly walking to their next destination, no one is making eye contact. You lose human connection. I also can't stand people who just visit a big city and say they've "travelled" the country. Visiting big cities does not fit my definition of "traveling". It's too safe and predictable. People need to be taken out of their comfort zone to really experience something new and grow and I don't think you can do that in a big international city. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, STAY AWAY FROM BIG CITIES!!! Sure, there are great restaurants, cool bars, but where is the cultural interaction?! Do you get to talk to locals and see an ordinary day? Not usually.
Hong Kong is a great city, very livable (if you can afford it), delicious restaurants, drinks, and bakeries. But to me, it has a surreal atmosphere. In the city, you see luxury cars, nice restaurants, Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton on every other corner. It's not for me. Of course you can turn down streets with more of a local feel, but the island revolves around shopping and eating, no joke. I thought my friend was kidding when she told me this, but it's completely true.
I did have a great time in Hong Kong, spending Christmas and New Years with a good friend and meeting her family. It was only my 2nd Christmas ever away from my family so it was nice to be surrounded by someone so close and her lovely family. I got to see the life of an ex-pat living in Hong Kong, which was probably a different experience that most people don't get. I did keep my Christmas tradition alive, and we visited a beach on the 25th (although it was a lot colder than the normal Hawaiian beach I'm used to on Christmas day).
Besides the towering skyscrapers, rooftop terraces, delicious food, and cheap shopping, Hong Kong is full of a lot of interesting ex-pats who have transplanted to the island. I got to meet a lot of special people during my time there. Yes, yes, of course I had to go salsa dancing in this city because it had been a whole month since dancing ANYTHING! Meeting dance people from around the world is one of my favorite things, ever. You have this instant community and connection and they are usually so welcoming and open to meeting up, giving touristy advice, and just showing you a good time and introducing you to all their friends.
So, all in all, Hong Kong was a great 10 days, but now I'm ready to get back to backpacking throughout south east Asia. I have to admit I was a bit spoiled while there, so the transition back to hostels and shared rooms has been a little harder than expected! It's all for the sake of traveling, and I know I'll adjust since humans can easily adapt to their surroundings.
New year, new country: Vietnam here I come...
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