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I spent my first week at work behind a computer, learning my new business, toiling with spreadsheets, handling samples, and occasionally glancing out the window. From inside you could see the moisture in the air co-mingled with the clouds of pollution floating down from the growing factory towns in mainland China. I went to get water form the lunch break area, parched from the constant air conditioning pumped into the building. (note, the reason I get parched is because I love soda and here in Hong Kong it is common, no culture, that the employer provides a fridge stocked with free soda for its employees -- I will never be hydrated again). Anyway, back to the story, as I walked out of my office I passed a co-worker who didn’t smile at me. In my head I had been jumped, beaten and left for dead. The offense, really just a simple preoccupation, seemed so serious – its mingling with the spreadsheets, sky, and dehydration triggered this fantastic mood valley that would last me the next twelve hours.
if the sky were clear, imagine the view....
the impressive maze of high end retail is my commute everyday -- and I thought being an ex-pat was going to save me money.....
Next I left work to navigate the many retail laden halls of Harbor City; the maze that leads me to my ferry commute. The beautiful window displays of D&G, Louis Vitton, Versace passed by me and would normally inspire positive professional thoughts like “nice creative merchandising”, “impressive apparel workmanship”, “interesting assortment”, but no, I thought “I bet none of that shit fits me, fucking Asian sizing." My self-confidence was apparently the 1st sacrificial lamb of my mood.
Next I walked the plank from Ocean terminal onto the star ferry that would take me across the harbor and home, taking my place by the railing on a cute little star embellished bench seat. Looking starboard (cute pun huh? I'm so clever), the harbor was teaming with barges, junks, yacht-ish boats, and other ferries, while the sun, orange and dramatic, had started to set. The haze had actually parted and some bits of blue sky were visible. It would have been a perfect moment to remark on the beauty of the island peaks against the sky, the wonder of the city, the historical signifigance of the harbor, instead I thought “damn pollution, why can’t they industrialize and control emissions.” Cultural sensitivity = sacrificial lamb #2.
The famous Star Ferry, a rather charming commute.
The harbor; ferries, barges and junks, oh my (note the hazy skies)
Once home I decided to pull myself out of my mood and headed to my new gym, California Fitness, the Hong Kong version of 24 Hour Fitness; too crowded, mirrors everywhere, gaudy red carpeting, and enough lighting to make a power outage seem like something to look forward to. The machines I wanted for my cardio were all taken and I was, god forbid, forced to work out on a second-choice contraption. After that I went up to the free-weight area – packed with guys in tight shorts and muscle tanks – absolutely no room and some weary glances for a girl like me. Despite the growing cloud over my head, I went to the stretching area to do crunches; packed. And I snapped; marching downstairs to the front desk I demanded to speak to John, the sales guy who had helped me get my membership a mere three days before. He wasn’t there – the world was officially conspiring against me. The girl at the counter asked me if there was something wrong and I let the flood gates open – how was a person supposed to work out with this crowd? Was I supposed to get there at 5:00am in the morning to actually complete a circuit round? Then I did the passive aggressive “oh never mind” (big sigh) and went back upstairs to see if the free weights had opened up. Ummm, they had, then I went to find an open elliptical; umm i did, and then I went to see if there was space and stretch, umm there was. I am a jackass. Poor sweet girl = sacrificial lamb #3.
The vegas of gyms..... I hate to sound like a snob, but I miss the MAC... three swimming pools, twelve tennis courts, steam rooms, saunas..... i have to stop now.....
