For decades I've been obsessed with the concept of the Kowloon Walled City, a slum of cramped apartment buildings that surrounded an old Chinese yamen, or government building, not too far from the old Kai Tak Airport. The history is absolutely fascinating, and for more about it … [Read more...]
Photo Friday
This photo says a thousand things to me. The neon signs, the markets, the dilapidated buildings, and the crowds are just several. Everything I love about Hong Kong is in this photo.For someone who moved to Hong Kong--twice--alone, it felt soothing to walk in crowds and feel a … [Read more...]
Book of the week–Borrowed Place, Borrowed Time
My friend Janet recently sent me a book from the fabulous Swindon bookstore in Hong Kong. It's Richard Hughes' Borrowed Place, Borrowed Time: Hong Kong and Its Many Faces (Andre Deutsch, 1976). And boy is it a gem!I love history, especially when it pertains to Hong Kong. And … [Read more...]
Book of the week–Paper Tigress
It's pretty amazing to think about Rachel Cartland's early adult years. She came from modest means and graduated from Oxford in her early twenties. In 1972 she entered the job market. For a woman back then, the opportunities were limited. But Cartland successfully interviewed for … [Read more...]
Book of the week–No City for Slow Men
I loved Jason Y Ng's narrative, Hong Kong State of Mind (Blacksmith Books, 2012), so was excited to read his new book, No City for Slow Men (Blacksmith Books, 2014).Similar to his first book, Ng's new one is a collection of essays about current issues in Hong Kong. His books … [Read more...]