Livin' it Up Hong Konger Style

I made it to Hong Kong safely and after a bit of delay at the airport, I finally found my long lost friend Larissa from Italy. She was my roommate during my first exchange and has ended up here for work as a KPMG China tax consultant (very complicated and interesting). 

We had a nice first day getting reacquainted wandering about the city. I cannot believe that two years has passed since we last saw each other. We managed to catch up quickly, so strange that we meet again in Asia. When I left Italy I never pictured myself studying Chinese and ending up on a grand adventure through Asia. I was certain South America would be first (sorry Daniela). I feel like Hong Kong is a definite mix between Singapore and Taipei. There is a bit of modernness that Taipei does not have, but the same Chinese feel.

I have been getting lots of smiles from people here. I have the urge to speak Mandarin first, or the little that I do know. People don't expect it and I have been asking for phrases in Cantonese from Larissa. 

We saw the harbor light show at 8pm on Kowloon Island, the History Museum of Hong Kong, ate dumplings, Mong Kok street wandering and shopping, and basically just hearing tons of updates and reminiscing about old times. 

I am excited that the adventure has begun and I am just getting my bearings, but quickly. I'm not sure many are interested, but I finally ditched my dreadful travel bag (some remember me complaining about its awful design). I'll post pictures soon :). I hope everyone is well at home!