So, I have a stopover of a few days in Hong Kong, and I must say: I'm rocking out right now. Really and truly rocking out.

Never have I seen such an awe-inspiring mix of steel and neon, water and hillsides, man and earth. You look up to the sky and the scraping of buildings only stops at the sun, and you look out to the sea and the cargo ships skim across the water in late afternoon's haze. And yet, I'm not overwhelmed as I feel when I'm in New York; I actually think I could live here for a little while. For, somehow the concrete doesn't seem so hardened. The people walk a bit slower and still take time to have tea or play cards along the street. Ethnicities mix, but it doesn't appear that each one is fighting to maintain its own stamp. Rather, groups shift in and out, interact, blend, and go about their lives without yelling about who they are. I like that in a city.

And then there's my hotel. It's a 4-star, and I have a suite. I don't need 2 TVs or phones, and I haven't had time to read the daily newspaper on my desk, but it's nice (no, it's wild) to feel spoiled every now and again. I can make my own coffee, and the shower is a massive structure of steel and smooth grey stone. Sure, I can turn down my own bedsheets (I always have), but I adore that they put chocolates by the pillow after making the bed and providing me with fresh fruit. And the view: I have two sets of massive windows (one in the bedroom, one in the living room) onto Victoria Harbor. That is to say that I can see the buildings touching mountains touching clouds touching sky, and I can watch the boats pass by flashing their neon and touting internationalism. Incredible.

I've been wandering the streets of the old neighborhoods, exploring night markets, trying frightening but tasty foods, and absorbing everything surrounding. Photographing red lanterns and crawfish waiting to be made into dinner and old coins and jade Buddhas. Not exactly passing as a local (something about blonde hair and more curves than the average Asian), but immersing myself and getting by without a hitch. Marvelling at skinny and colorful trams, the permeating smell of seafood, humidity, high fashion, and how welcome I feel in a city so far from home.

Tomorrow I head to mainland China, and I'm psyched. I didn't get to see as much of the islands of Hong Kong as I'd like, but that just gives me the excuse to return.

On, then, to the mainland!