Chinese delicacies vs vegetarianism and transport

11 November 2010

I'm marveling at the efficiency of the subway system in Hong-Kong - it's "simple but no simpler" as Einstein said. And all the chairs are of molded stainless steel - so far, it's my favourite visual feature of the system. The whole city is hooked up to the "octopus card" system - most of the shops and transportation accept the card, and it is how the locals get around. It amazes me that anyone drives here - the public transport is SO easy and cheap!

The edible aspect of Hong Kong puzzles me a bit. How can a culture sustain THAT much fried food filled with , ffried, fatty animal protein [did I mention FRIED?] and consist of people who are in such a good shape? The irony is that my body has asked that I go vegetarian not even a month before the trip. And fresh veggies/salads are not in vogue here. Not at all.

Perhaps, this is an impetus for me to widen my culinary horizons. I've made friends with a shark-fin soup.Today was an adventure around the computer district of HK [in hopes to make my newly-reinstalled Windows compatible with life - as it turns out I have reinstalled the OS but not all the necessary drivers the night before departure. Note to self: do not reinstall the OS before jumping on the plane -duh!]. Wandering amidst the avenues of cables, cords, magnets, computer fans and other geek-paradise paraphanelia, I discovered the yummiliciousness of the freshly-squeezed bamboo juice. I've also fallen in love with the hearty herbal teas that are brewed on the spot and bear colour of ebony and scent of 100 herbs. I have also witnessed some fresh turtle soup being served while the snakes in jars cooly observed the occasion.

I am consciously resisting the temptation to feast on a diet of Starbucks green tea lattes [the budding vegetarian in me is gravitating towards that]. Food is truly an adventure around here. It's like an edible zoo. Very much a spectator sport.

Quite.... Pictures shall follow.

Off to Shenghen tomorrow on an evening train. I'm ready to be out of the city. Hong Kong is a bustling cornucopia of the deliciously absurd luxury and the slums intimately interwoven in a "life s usual" way. The contrast is stark, yet seamless. I'm ready for some nature...