It's amazing how a 16-hour flight can feel both long and short at the same time. I didn't sleep (as far as I know), but I kept myself busy with about 5 movies, several TV shows, and some pretty decent food from Cathay Pacific.
I felt oily and disgusting by the time I arrived in Hong Kong, but I was lucky to have a hotel transfer pre-arranged.
My "home" (hotel room) for the next 6 weeks is awesome. It is probably bigger than my future apartment, and I was happy to see a nice card and some welcome gifts from the HR department (including an umbrella; how fitting).
I quickly checked my e-mail and closed my eyes shortly thereafter (feeling like I could sleep at least 12 hours). Unfortunately, jet lag always wins this battle and I was wide awake only 5 hours later...Hello 3:30AM! I relaxed in my bed for a while before guilting myself into a trip to the gym. On my way out, I opened the blinds. Wow, such a beautiful view. Am I really in Hong Kong?
My New Home
My boss from Chicago was already in Hong Kong, so I met her on Sunday evening and she showed me the way to the office. As we walked, I was approached by multiple salesmen who offered to sell me a custom suit. No thanks. I'm a resident, not a tourist. It feels really strange to have that mindset.
My boss had spent some time in the office prior to my arrival, so it was nice to hear about her experiences in Hong Kong. When the bill arrived, I put down my credit card and realized that I cannot expense this meal. I am no longer on a business trip. Despite the fact that I am in a completely foreign city, it is my home.
The next week was like a blur. So many new people to meet - all very friendly. Welcome lunches almost every day with various coworkers and consultants. Every meal, without exception, has been amazing. This whole "dim sum" culture is right up my alley.
Commuting
For the past two years, my daily commute to work has involved little more than an elevator ride. I had a short walk to the office when I was in Chicago all summer, but it hardly felt like a commute because the weather was so beautiful. My hotel in Hong Kong area may be in a serene setting, but it requires an hour-long commute to the office. Trains in Hong Kong are so efficient...and so full of people. Personal space is a thing of the past.
New Friends
Just three days after arriving, I went to an alumni event for my business school. It was really nice to meet other graduates but none of them will likely become close friends in the future.
Obviously there are many other outlets for me to meet people, but this was the first time it really hit me that I will have a long road ahead as I seek to build a new social circle that I really enjoy.
On Friday night, I bid farewell to my boss and we went out for drinks in the expat neighborhood of Hong Kong. To be honest, I was not at all impressed with the area. It was grungy and it felt like New York. My long trip back to the hotel gave me a lot of time to reflect on this transition. It will not be easy to build a new life at my age, when most of my peers are already settled down.
Neighborhood Search
Saturday afternoon, I felt like my time would be better spent discovering potential neighborhoods to live instead of lounging by the hotel pool in the countryside. I took the train to Nam Cheong (one stop beyond my office) and it felt like I was in mainland China. I will certainly not be living here.
Next, I went to Olympic MTR station and it was much more my style. There was a huge mall connected to the train station, with lots of new high-rise apartment buildings forming a community (of sorts). The night before, my coworker described Olympic as an area with rich families and I could totally see her point. However, the first place I saw (called "The Hermitage") felt like a luxury hotel and I loved it. As I walked through the over-the-top lobby, past the underground taxi stand, club-house, and gorgeous swimming pool, it felt like a nice alternative to the urban, expat neighborhoods on Hong Kong island.
Next, I ventured over to Wan Chai, which is near the expat area but also with some local charm (according to another coworker). A realtor showed me a unit that was entirely different than the apartment I had just visited. The building was old, the apartment was filled with dated furniture, and it had only one tiny window that overlooks overcrowded streets and other buildings. I definitely cannot see myself living here.
By this point, I was already tired of looking at neighborhoods. I explored the nearby Causeway Bay area without even thinking about whether I can live there. I have plenty of time to find a place. There's no need to stress about it so soon.
Occupy Hong Kong
History is in the making! I visited Causeway Bay to see what all the hype is about and I was amazed by how peaceful everything was. It looked more like a camping trip than it did a protest.
One of the things I enjoy most about Hong Kong is how law-abiding and respectful everyone acts towards one another. People queue up whenever there is a stop light (even if there is no traffic), they remain completely silent while riding on the train, and everyone I have met is very pleasant to be around.
Becoming a Hong Konger
I think I will end up enjoying my life in Hong Kong, and there will likely be new discoveries every step of the way. Even something as simple as discovering places to eat lunch is like an adventure. It takes a while to build a list of favorite places, but the selection process is all part of the fun.
I have a lot of support from my office, I am doing a job that I enjoy, and I am in a region that has always been so exciting to me. In a city as dynamic as Hong Kong, I can only wonder if the "wow factor" I experienced this first week will ever become truly routine.
I felt oily and disgusting by the time I arrived in Hong Kong, but I was lucky to have a hotel transfer pre-arranged.
My "home" (hotel room) for the next 6 weeks is awesome. It is probably bigger than my future apartment, and I was happy to see a nice card and some welcome gifts from the HR department (including an umbrella; how fitting).
 |
| My hotel room in Hong Kong |
I quickly checked my e-mail and closed my eyes shortly thereafter (feeling like I could sleep at least 12 hours). Unfortunately, jet lag always wins this battle and I was wide awake only 5 hours later...Hello 3:30AM! I relaxed in my bed for a while before guilting myself into a trip to the gym. On my way out, I opened the blinds. Wow, such a beautiful view. Am I really in Hong Kong?
 |
| View from my room in Sha Tin |
My New Home
My boss from Chicago was already in Hong Kong, so I met her on Sunday evening and she showed me the way to the office. As we walked, I was approached by multiple salesmen who offered to sell me a custom suit. No thanks. I'm a resident, not a tourist. It feels really strange to have that mindset.
My boss had spent some time in the office prior to my arrival, so it was nice to hear about her experiences in Hong Kong. When the bill arrived, I put down my credit card and realized that I cannot expense this meal. I am no longer on a business trip. Despite the fact that I am in a completely foreign city, it is my home.
The next week was like a blur. So many new people to meet - all very friendly. Welcome lunches almost every day with various coworkers and consultants. Every meal, without exception, has been amazing. This whole "dim sum" culture is right up my alley.
Commuting
For the past two years, my daily commute to work has involved little more than an elevator ride. I had a short walk to the office when I was in Chicago all summer, but it hardly felt like a commute because the weather was so beautiful. My hotel in Hong Kong area may be in a serene setting, but it requires an hour-long commute to the office. Trains in Hong Kong are so efficient...and so full of people. Personal space is a thing of the past.
 |
| No personal space in the Hong Kong MTR |
New Friends
Just three days after arriving, I went to an alumni event for my business school. It was really nice to meet other graduates but none of them will likely become close friends in the future.
Obviously there are many other outlets for me to meet people, but this was the first time it really hit me that I will have a long road ahead as I seek to build a new social circle that I really enjoy.
On Friday night, I bid farewell to my boss and we went out for drinks in the expat neighborhood of Hong Kong. To be honest, I was not at all impressed with the area. It was grungy and it felt like New York. My long trip back to the hotel gave me a lot of time to reflect on this transition. It will not be easy to build a new life at my age, when most of my peers are already settled down.
Neighborhood Search
Saturday afternoon, I felt like my time would be better spent discovering potential neighborhoods to live instead of lounging by the hotel pool in the countryside. I took the train to Nam Cheong (one stop beyond my office) and it felt like I was in mainland China. I will certainly not be living here.
Next, I went to Olympic MTR station and it was much more my style. There was a huge mall connected to the train station, with lots of new high-rise apartment buildings forming a community (of sorts). The night before, my coworker described Olympic as an area with rich families and I could totally see her point. However, the first place I saw (called "The Hermitage") felt like a luxury hotel and I loved it. As I walked through the over-the-top lobby, past the underground taxi stand, club-house, and gorgeous swimming pool, it felt like a nice alternative to the urban, expat neighborhoods on Hong Kong island.
Next, I ventured over to Wan Chai, which is near the expat area but also with some local charm (according to another coworker). A realtor showed me a unit that was entirely different than the apartment I had just visited. The building was old, the apartment was filled with dated furniture, and it had only one tiny window that overlooks overcrowded streets and other buildings. I definitely cannot see myself living here.
 |
| View from an apartment in Wan Chai district |
By this point, I was already tired of looking at neighborhoods. I explored the nearby Causeway Bay area without even thinking about whether I can live there. I have plenty of time to find a place. There's no need to stress about it so soon.
Occupy Hong Kong
History is in the making! I visited Causeway Bay to see what all the hype is about and I was amazed by how peaceful everything was. It looked more like a camping trip than it did a protest.
 |
| The "umbrella movement" in Hong Kong |
 |
| This is the sleepiest protest I have ever experienced |
One of the things I enjoy most about Hong Kong is how law-abiding and respectful everyone acts towards one another. People queue up whenever there is a stop light (even if there is no traffic), they remain completely silent while riding on the train, and everyone I have met is very pleasant to be around.
Becoming a Hong Konger
I think I will end up enjoying my life in Hong Kong, and there will likely be new discoveries every step of the way. Even something as simple as discovering places to eat lunch is like an adventure. It takes a while to build a list of favorite places, but the selection process is all part of the fun.
I have a lot of support from my office, I am doing a job that I enjoy, and I am in a region that has always been so exciting to me. In a city as dynamic as Hong Kong, I can only wonder if the "wow factor" I experienced this first week will ever become truly routine.
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