China Orient Expressions 4

Orient Expressions #4

Goodbye Hong Kong – Hello China

New Year’s Day (the January 1st variety) anywhere in the world signals celebrations, new beginnings, refreshing calm. For some it is a football bonanza: family football games, or the TV variety. For others, it’s a quiet day of reflection. For the fortunate, it’s a family vacation: skiing, snorkeling, or sun bathing.

For Hong Kong residents, it’s a special offering at the Buddhist Temple, a day at the open market, or (like Sundays) a day at Statue Square-a Fifth Ave styled shopping district. Not for the newest fashion item but for public demonstrations.

The Man Mo Buddhist Temple was teeming. Gifts of fruits and flowers filled the altars. Burning incense was so thick our eyes and nostrils burned. Crowds found their individual space for prayer and bowed respect to their Buddha.

The closed shops, the vestiges of New Years Eve, unique shopping neighborhoods, and the incredible “pedestrian escalator” in the steep area of Hong Kong, all were quietly “ours”…until we reached Statue Square.

It was curious. As we turned the corner towards Statue Square, groups of women were claiming their space by laying down cardboard and taping it to the streets and sidewalks. It continued to fill. Women, Children, and grandmothers spread out food containers of every size and shape. Obviously a long day was planned. Everyone (children included) had cell phones. We made up reasons for who they were and why they would be laying cardboard in the middle of the street and having a picnic! I approached the nearest group. “Why is everyone here?” I asked. They all turned and smiled and said “we’re here to be with our friends.” “Oh” I said and walked away to tell Mike that I have the answer. We got to the center of the square where hundreds more were gathered. The real story, we learned, is the domestic workers have been protesting since at least March of last year for better conditions and pay.

Another block, another protest! Speakers, microphones, sign up tables, police, platforms…some real action. After a 99 year lease from Britain, China gained control of Hong Kong in 1997. So, now known as a Chinese Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong is impatiently waiting for the goal of direct elections by 2017 and citizens seek more control of the nominating process without Beijing involvement. Democracy is precious.