Well after happening upon this ridiculous display of energy waste, we figured out the display was set up in connection with the start of the East Asia Games. Righto.
There were probably 30 spot lights set up at eye level along the harbor in front of the convention center. They’re on swivel stands and send super bright rays across at Kowloon side. How unsafe is that? To make it even better, there were green lasers pointing across too. Kinda freaked me out. But I didn’t exactly stop walking in front of the pretty bright lights.
My wonderful dinner date and I took some photos…
That's me, bewildered.
Note the green lasers just above eye level.
Calling all iPhones!
I’m instituting a feature tonight called “That’s Hong Kong.” You might’ve gleaned from my numbering this post that I will continue these quick takes on life in the Kong. That is my brilliant plan.
No. 1
Building security guards. Today I speak of the men who man posts in my office building. After about 8 p.m., they rope off the Office Lift Lobby, directing traffic past a desk with “IN” and “OUT” card sensors. When I approach the desk from either direction, I’m half-heartedly greeted and directed by way of an extended arm to please scan my green building card. Then I’m thanked. If I forget my card, I have to show ID and they write down my information on a pad that’s kept covered at all times “to protect the identity of building occupants.”
There are always at least two men behind the desk, sometimes as many as five standing around. Greeting, directing, thanking. I don’t quite know which one to address so I try to make a quick sweep of all of them, greeting, swiping, thanking. I get a mixture of “hello, lei ho, thank you, mmgoi, ok, byebye.”
A handful of times I’ve rounded the corner after 2a.m. to find both of them asleep. Once I snuck by without waking them, but usually I swipe my card, it beeps and they jump. Revenge is mine!
I don’t mind the routine. Some people do. Sure, it’s a tad excessive. It’s a bit of a pain when I forget my ID (which happens a few times a month). I would prefer to leave the office and walk home without having to greet, swipe, thank two more people.
But, that’s Hong Kong.
