As I stepped off of the plane in Hong Kong, I felt like I was back in the United States. Hong Kong is truly so westernized that it is difficult to believe that it is part of China. For example, there was a Krispy Kreme in the airport. There was also a McDonald’s right off of the dock. I ate at a Hard Rock Café in Hong Kong. There was Pizza Hut and California Pizza. It was crazy how many American companies have infiltrated Hong Kong. This is globalization in practice – Hong Kong is what globalization looks like.
The people in Hong Kong are proud of the characteristics that make them unique from China. We had a guide on the bus from the airport that explained some of the differences between China and Hong Kong. The languages, for example, are different. Cantonese is spoken in Hong Kong and Mandarin is spoken in mainland China. These are just different dialects, but one language is not recognized by a speaker of the other. In Hong Kong, they drive on the opposite side of the road (like in Britain). This shows the influence of Britain in Hong Kong. In mainland China people drive on the right side of the road, instead of the left, like in Hong Kong. Also, more people speak and understand English in Hong Kong. This is another example of the influence of Britain. Hong Kong is much more modernized and westernized than mainland China. Hong Kong is also much cleaner than mainland China. It is difficult to believe that the two places are under the same government because of the distinct differences in the cultures, people, and development.
During my stay in Hong Kong, I visited Lantau Island, which was beautiful. Unfortunately, it was raining, but we had a great time. We saw a huge statue of Buddha that sits on top of a hill. We also visited a monastery. The drive to and from the monastery were the prettiest parts of the visit. Looking over the mountain from the road, you can see the beach and vegetation on the side of the mountain and it is incredible.
Later on, we just walked around Hong Kong, ate Pizza Hut and went back to the ship. I enjoyed Hong Kong a lot, partially because of the familiarity, but also because of the unique way that western culture has been accepted into an eastern place.
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