It's been an interesting week for sure. Just some random 小事, xiaoshi, little things that are aiming to be put into words.
** Spent the New Year at a retreat in HK with friends old and new that share an interest in China's development. After an absence of three years on my part, signs of Hong Kong's 1997 return to the motherland have finally started to become readily visible on the streets.
The HK taxis and even some restaurants like McDonald's actually take Renminbi in addition to HK dollars. Simplied Chinese is starting to appear in signs. Subway announcements are now made in Mandarin, in addition to English and Cantonese. Even the average waiter or taxi driver can now speak basic Putonghua, whereas last time I was there, I was often met with blank stares and had to use English.
It's not all bad...
** Valentines day is probably several times bigger, more commercialized and more synthetic in China than even in the USA. Street vendors are everywhere, on every intersection selling roses. At any restaurant that's even the least bit nice, it's impossible to get a seat on this day. I was at Ajisen with a fellow French-Canadian coworker and we had to wait 15 minutes. It's freaking Ajisen for crying out loud, not M on the Bund! How unromantic is that!
Has this all happened since 1979?! Did I miss something?
** Back for WCC... and the home stretch in the final days leading up to the conference. Major (e)props to Alvin for running the whole show when I was on the other side of the Pacific and 8 time zones away. I'm sure you hate me by now and all my random requests... ;P I will personally try to get you on PC next year! =)
My flight is boarding now... see you all soon!
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