Finally had some time to consider all that has gone on and now I'm more confused than ever.
Having mixed feelings leaving Nepal. I was immediately thrown into the chaos of Hong Kong - a world of drastic change in lifestyle, infrastructure, values, standards, etc.
Arriving in HK, I thought I was in some sterile institution with not a spec of dirty anywhere on the airport express train and with it operating so smoothly. I wasn't sure if I was dreaming. Not a bump to be felt or the sound of the locomotive running - only a pre-recorded voice informing me of my destination. The funny, thing was, I actually missed feeling the bumps in the road, the rumble of the engine turning over, the vibrations of the vehicle and the shouts of the bus boy informing me of my destination and my how much I needed to pay. No one talked on the train, the environment seemed sterile. But once I exited the building the natural elements got to me, it was stinking hot and humid in HK and a clear reality that I was alive hit me again. But during my time in HK, every car, bus, building I would walk into became just another micro-ecosystem on it's own totally oblivious to the true reality of the heat outside.
Throughout my week I would soon realize that the family unit for most consisted of a live-in maid who came from a poorer country (e.g. indonesia, philippines, etc) who would come to work for ~3500-4200HKG/month. Children grew up spending more time with the live-in maids than with parents. This type of lifestyle is also present among the rich in Nepal, but seems so much more pervasive here in HK. The affects that has on the family unit you can only imagine.
With meals easily costing 5x what they would in Nepal. It was hard to coughup the cash for a meal knowing full well the purchasing power parity of dollar. What made it easier was seeing old friends who reminded me that we are not actually in Nepal anymore and there's a different standard here. whether good or bad, not sure...
Returnign to home soil was perhaps the greatest thing ever. That being said, the 8.75$ it cost to get downtown from the airport nearly knocked me off my feet. Can't complain cause my classmate had arranged a bike, car and home for me. Vancouver is great, being able to ski in the mountains was quite refreshing. I was saddened when my $20 prescription glasses from Nepal were broken during a yard sale on the slopes. Luckly, I came out ok. But seeing and exploring the mountains on skis in my home country was definitely a delight. On Sunday, we say "Hear our praises" for the 2nd sunday in a row in 2 different countries. Having been to the mountains and trekked and skiied through the valleys, the petition to have praises rise to God from the mountains to the valleys really put a whole lot of perspective and weight. i only wish that i understood more of what I sang and say. Analogies and words are heavily loaded if we seek to understand the depth of them. Perhaps my respect for explorers increases.
Ah yes, phones..
So in Nepal, a SIM card could be recharged for 200NRps (less than $3CAD) and used for about a month
In HK, a SIM card costed me 38HKG (~$5CAD) and used for more than 5 days no problem
In Canada, a SIM card cost $5, but activation costs 35$ and minimum amount was 15$; so the alternative was a CDMA phone (with GPS, camera, video and all these other features) for $55 with $15 credit on the card. Essentially in order to remain connected, the cheapest option was the buy the entire phone. Interesting how different societies operate...
Anyway, life continues. Trying to contemplate and digest all the differences in life in different places.
May my thrist for truth remain constant longing...
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