I know it’s ‘tense’ over there, and while people attempt to carry on with their lives, there’s so much simmering just under their control. It doesn’t take much to misinterpret the slightest wrong look or bump in a crowd...Dave, how’s it really going with the build-up for New Year?
Is there any sign of holiday lull, that fireworks won’t be misinterpreted as gunshots, that crowds can gather to celebrate in peace?
Like all on MOL, we hope HK is safe, and that this year brings a brighter, peaceful resolution.
The big fireworks have been cancelled by the city, citing the ongoing protests. No nice things if you keep using your rights for legal assembly! Also, small fireworks are illegal here, so I don't see that as a threat. If fireworks do cross the boarder illegally from Shenzhen they go mainly to indigenous villages on the outskirts for new year cleansing ceremonies.
HK is safer from gun violence and nazis marching in Virginia in the US and those awful fires down under, which I hope will be put out the rainy season soon.
We're even picking up a free vacuum cleaner today for continuing our phone plan! Doesn't get better than that, protests or no protests.
I can’t imagine Lunar New Year without firecrackers for good luck. Seems to go with the Lion Dancing and other ceremonies. Any idea what will replace ‘traditional’ markers? (I grew up with Dai Loong in Victoria attracting lots of visitors, and our family joined in with Dad’s Asian friends to celebrate; I can appreciate the need to maintain the appearance of calm and stability but changing important customs seems hard to enforce.
I can’t imagine Lunar New Year without firecrackers for good luck. Seems to go with the Lion Dancing and other ceremonies. Any idea what will replace ‘traditional’ markers? (I grew up with Dai Loong in Victoria attracting lots of visitors, and our family joined in with Dad’s Asian friends to celebrate; I can appreciate the need to maintain the appearance of calm and stability but changing important customs seems hard to enforce.
Stay safe!
Xx
I can. It happened in NYC when Mayor Giuliani banned Lunar New Year fireworks.
Surgical masks are pretty much a rare commodity these days, but at 10pm this evening a package arrived from a friend in Italy with 150 3M surgical masks. No need to wait on lines hundreds of people long, some of whom sleep overnight on the street for the luxury of buying a 10-pack. Kind of insane in "Asia's World City."
As for protests and rioting, that has subsided everywhere except in residential areas adjacent to proposed quarantine sites.
Now there's a run on food and toilet paper, so most stores are just empty shelves with the exception of higher priced "expat" stores, which are only partially empty (still no toilet paper, but we're set for 3 weeks on that score). Can't imagine that the chain grocery stores won't simply fly in stock from Europe and Australia and charge more by next week.
Thank you very much for the kind offer! Will get back to you in a week, as we've heard that stores have sourced from new suppliers and should have stock in by mid-week. Nice to have friends around the globe.
Fun side note: a lot of our shops here on the Gold Coast have notes saying no Chinese bulk buyers are allowed (Dave, you know the ones I’m talking about, I’ve forgotten their professional name).
The offer’s always there for anything you might need I seriously think TP, toothpaste and deo - and maybe a decent hairbrush - are the things I could not manage a day without.
Got a call from a DHL driver making sure we were home to receive a delivery; we were. Ten minutes later a month and a half supply of paper products arrived. Huzzah! And thanks again for the kind offer!
(By the way, how much do you pay for manuka honey in Australia? ;-) )
Not sure, do you it medicinal or for eating? One example, I’d use to eat. it can go to $30 x$100 or more for healing versions, I’d go mid-range depending on the source. (I know apiarists, have an idea what to check for) (Aussie $$$)
We’re now talking about own customs, in own land, with supposed ‘friendly’ government.
Every pro-Dem candidate won. The only one who didn't was "Long Hair", a guy who campaigns wearing a Che Guavara shirt.
Leung Kwok Hung's (Long Hair's) Wikipedia page