Settling in + getting out
I’ve officially been in Hong Kong for one week. I would call it the fastest week of my life. Maybe it’s the jet lag, but time seems to be going much faster here. I guess it’s a good thing. I’m trying my best during the day to get out and explore, while attempting to create some sense of normalcy and routine now that this is my new home. I have to say it’s been a fairly easy transition (hopefully I didn’t just jinx myself). Where we’re staying right now is located near some pretty good restaurants, a grocery store, coffee shops, shopping and more. There’s a dog park about 20 minutes away, so even Roxy has been making some new friends. All of these easy-to-walk-to spots have made it feel much more home-y. So here’s what I’ve been up to my first week in Hong Kong:
Running
Running has always been a passion of mine. Whenever I’m in a new place, I think it’s one of the best ways to explore.
Running is a little more difficult in Hong Kong based off of where our neighborhood is located, and the fact that IT’S LITERALLY A MOUTAIN. I know I keep mentioning this, but my God, this area is steep. I accidentally packed my normal running shoes in the air shipment, so I’ve been using my trail running shoes, which I actually think is a better choice around here. Superior tread required. There’s nothing more humbling than feeling like I’m running walking through molasses while on a steep incline, only to look over and see a local passing me in flip flops.
Hopefully I’ll adapt. Or maybe my legs will just fall off. Who knows.
That being said, why not sign up for a half marathon? This week, I officially signed up for the Hong Kong half marathon which takes place in the middle of February. This will be my fifth or sixth half marathon, and I’m setting the goal now to make it my fastest run yet. There, now it’s verified. So all of you can hold me accountable come February.
Grocery Shopping
Grocery shopping has been a pleasant surprise here in Hong Kong. I had NO idea what to expect when I first got here, and many of you have been asking how similar it is to shopping in the States.
You can definitely find American products, but buyer beware, because the majority of them are astronomically expensive. And dairy? Yeah, that’s pretty tough too. There aren’t any cows in Hong Kong (I guess this is something I should have known, but it came as a surprise to me), so all of the beef and dairy products come from Australia, which I imagine, is why it’s so expensive.
And ladies, we need to talk about tampons, like, WHERE ARE THEY?! I had to go to a few different places and even then I could only find one box. Rows on rows on rows of pads, one solo box of tampons. I really need to find a local and discuss this phenomenon. I’ll keep you posted. I know you’re all just as eager for answers as I am.
Apartment Hunting
I originally had “eating” as the next category, but something told me that wasn’t the best transition topic.
So, apartment hunting. I mentioned this earlier, but right now we’re in a temporary apartment until we find something more permanent that meets our needs. This past week has been packed with viewings. We’ve narrowed our top neighborhood choices down to two: Mid-levels and Happy Valley. I have to laugh that there’s a neighborhood here called “Happy Valley” since my husband and I are both Penn State graduates.
The major differences between these neighborhoods are the following:
- Mid-levels: Closer to SoHo: restaurants, bars, etc. but less green space. Also, it’s mid-way up the peak, so think very steep roads. Close to Central.
- Happy Valley: Slightly less crowded, more suburban-y, and more flat. NOT on the mountain. Easier for dog-walking and running. Less shops/restaurants/bars.
I really like both areas, so I feel like we can’t go wrong with either. We’re hoping to wrap up the selection process within the next month or so, and be in our new place by mid-to-end November.
Eating
The best for last. Eating in Hong Kong really has been exciting. I mentioned this in one of my first impressions to Hong Kong posts, but you really seem to be able to get anything here. For me, it’s knowing that you have access to so many different kinds of foods that makes it so exciting. I look forward to exploring the food culture even more now that I’m on my own.
Which brings me to my next point: dining alone. I knew when I signed on for this big move that I was signing up for a life of solitude. I don’t mean that in the depressing way it sounds, but with Mr. Mac working most of the time, I understood that there would be a lot of meals spent with just me, myself and I.
But here’s the thing about dining solo: I actually love it. It’s interesting, because five years ago (really before even moving to Philadelphia), I would cringe at the idea of eating alone. I was worried that I would automatically feel lonely, or that people might think I was weird. As I got older, I developed a whole new sense of understanding and enjoyment around “me time”. I’m also finding I’m much more introverted, the older I get.
Traveling unaccompanied gives me the freedom to pick wherever I want to go and take my time wandering and taking it all in. It’s a time for me to recharge my batteries and explore the city, while not worrying about where I’m going or getting lost.
I’m on me time, and for where I’m at right now in my life, I feel pretty OK with that.