Love Letter To Hong Kong – My Bestie
My love, Hong Kong, I should have written this love letter to you a long time ago, but I could never get myself to pen down my intense feelings for you. However, I have realized now that life’s hourglass is moving faster than before, so I didn’t want another second to go by without expressing my feelings for you in a love note.
When did it all begin? When did we realize that this would be the everlasting love that a few lucky ones find in their lives? The first time we met, I was so young and so were you. That meeting is a blur now, but I still have fuzzy memories of things that you showed me. Alas, we were kids then and I had to leave you.
However, little did I know that I shall be returning back to you one day. I was unaware that you had not forgotten me and it was your energy that pulled me back to you.
We were destined to meet and you changed my life forever, my love, Hong Kong.
From the time I returned to you, you embraced me with open arms. It was as if you were waiting for me for all these years. During the time we spent together I soaked in all that you gave like a sponge. I received an education from you, got my first job, and made some wonderful lifetime friends that you introduced me to.
I remember during my school days, how I had joined a gym with a friend, and instead of working out, we used to eat big macs from McDonald’s. No wonder, I didn’t lose any weight. The worse was when our sports teacher used to make us run miles and a friend of mine and I always used to be the last ones to get to the finish point. Those runs were the most embarrassing especially as all the boys and girls used to applaud and laugh when we got to the end.
Furthermore, I also remember how I had colored my hair green and orange by mistake and to cover that, I had applied black ink on my hair and went to school hoping that it would not rain but you the mischievous one, made sure that it poured, and I was a horror sight to behold, with ink running down my face.
I was ‘Carrie’ the movie in making. I know I had made a complete fool of myself but those were our young and silly days together and we never had a boring moment.
Then came a time when I had to leave you for six months to go to Australia. During those months of separation, I know we both missed each other immensely but time passed by.
Then again, after a few blissful years with you, I left you again to explore Switzerland and educate myself further.
Upon my return, we both had changed but you were still patiently waiting for me. I was now in my twenties and you were the only one in whom I confided and said that I wanted to explore everything, turn over every rock, and experience life to the fullest. You collapsed in laughter and then held my hand and said, “Let the adventure begin.”
I remember the time you, a friend of mine, and I went to Macau for a one-night rendezvous. It was enthralling and exciting weaving our way through the Portuguese-style cobblestone pavements in a mini-moke (which I believe are obsolete now).
Remember, we were always hungry for food, so we stopped by a small quaint restaurant for pizza and a cold beer before ending our night at the Lisboa Casino to try our luck on the slot machines and the Black Jack table. Truly an unforgettable adventure!
Oh! Do you remember the “Hump Day Wednesday?” It was always such an eagerly anticipated day. We all used to rush out of our offices to meet by 6:30 pm at some bar in Lan Kwai Fong to listen to live band and to chit-chat with anyone who came along. Though it was sad, when by 10:00 pm we had to retire for the night as we all had to face the office alarm the next day.
Friday’s and Saturday’s were eagerly anticipated days for us. Dancing the night away in California or Insomnia in Lan Kwai Fong but really the best was opening the dance floor at China Jump. I remember how we used to fool the bouncers at the entrance by telling them that, I was a Cathay Pacific flight attendant to get a free pass into the club after eleven o’clock. Some nights were wilder than the others with all of us wanting to try out the “dentist chair” or the heavenly intoxicating B52 shots.
Ahhh! I also remember once you had asked me to stay the whole night with you and I agreed. We had sat on the pavement in Central and at sunrise saw the street leading to Lan Kwai Fong come to life with newspaper delivery men rushing around with stacks of newspapers and placing them at the different kiosks which were still closed. Soon after that, you took me home with a cup of coffee and tucked me into bed. Those days are unforgettable. We were young and carefree and you always were there for me.
There are so many other memories that I have carried with me all these years and it would be absolutely impossible to put a lifetime onto this short love letter. However, I often walk down my memory land and the unfortunate time in 1997 also comes to the forefront. It was then that my parents had made me move to Malaysia. That was when we were tragically forced apart and now it is only once a year I get to meet you my love, Hong Kong, and the days I spend with you are the most precious ones.
Whenever I see you, You always give me solace, hope, and courage to live another year - ONLY FOR YOU!
With tears in my eyes and with a sorrowful heart we must say goodbye once again. My one & only true love, Hong Kong – Until we meet again next year!
Till death do us apart!
XOXO
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3 Comments
Hannah
Such a beautiful and touching tribute to Hong Kong! Thanks so much for sharing it with us! I haven’t visited Hong Kong yet but I look forward to experiencing it for myself one day. I hope I fall in love with it too!
MSAInfiniteMonkey
Hello Hannah, Thank you for your comment. Hong Kong city is easy to fall in love with.
Sab
Such a fun story to read the Ink in your hair brought a smile to my face. Love reading your blogs keep em coming ;)👍