It was rather cold in Hong Kong. Since I have a seventy-eight-year-old in my care, we did not go sight seeing. We went on one sub-way journey and it was enough to frighten my mother who had never seen people rushing around in such a manner. Thereafter we "sight see" from the bus.
We found neighbourhood shopping centres to have our meals in. We particularly enjoyed the low rise and scattered shop lots in Yow Onn. There we had to share a table with a local man. He proved to be friendly and interesting to talk to.
According to him, Hong Kong changed a lot the last thirteen to fourteen years. That many years ago, one who was prepared to work hard could find a job, by working hard at it would earn enough to live on. Now, there are many positions available all over the street, but the pay is actually less than the rates twelve years ago in real terms.
He has three children. The eldest just graduated in Canada. He went for her graduation and found that food was so costly that if he converts everything into Hong Kong dollars he could not swallow a bite. His eldest girl is looking for a job now. Failing that, she plans to marry her sweet heart and stays on. His two other children are studying in Hong Kong. He would consider migrating should the daughter decides to apply for the family later on. He said that of course he prefers Hong Kong over Canada. But at the rate things are moving, he fears for his family's future.
This man looks like he is in his late thirties. We were surprised that he has a daughter at least twenty one years old. He has gentle eyes and talks in a very quiet and unassuming manner. He works for a company that helps people move, they renovate apartments and refurbish old buildings. Now I realise why a lot of Hongkies migrated before China took over, it was probably because of precisely this reason.
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