So Long, Hong Kong

 

     Tomorrow will be my 100th day in Hong Kong.  I'll be leaving early in the morning, so there have been lots of "lasts" today.  I went to one last Chinese exercise class in Belcher Bay Park this morning.  Mr. Lee, the teacher, is dressed in black toward the right.  Expert David in the yellow t-shirt had a few last corrective suggestions for me--standing up straight, holding the arm here, slapping the pancreas there, always more to learn.  Afterwards there were goodbyes, some handshakes and a few hugs.
     The dew point was around 80º earlier today.  I'm looking forward to returning to the class and seeing everyone in the fall when the air is much more comfortable.
    

     On the way home I stopped one last time at the organic store on Belcher's Street to get a few vegetables for our supper curry.  Several locals have told me that this shop really does source local organic produce.
     That's the exception in Hong Kong.  It's estimated that only 3% of the produce consumed here is produced on the 1900 farms in Hong Kong, all located in the New Territories.  Around 80 of those farms are supposed to be certified organic, whatever that means in Hong Kong.
     The tomatoes, red peppers, beets with greens, broccoli rabe, spinach and cucumbers I've bought here have all been fresh and flavorful.

     I also made my third and last stop at a tea shop on Belcher's Street a block or so from our apartment.  I wanted to pick up a little tea to take home and bought some very fragrant jasmine osmanthus tea, a blend of those particular dried flowers added to green tea leaves.  It's not as if I knew enough to ask for this particular tea, or that I've tasted it or had even heard of it before.  Derek, the son of the owner, recommended it.  It's really fun talking tea with this guy, the tall one at left.  He knows a lot about it, his English is good, and he's very friendly and willing to tell you as much or as little as you want to know, even when you're making a modest purchase.
     Terry and I sampled the tea late this afternoon.  Very good.









     I'm mostly packed and ready to go.  I'm looking forward to springtime, cleaner air and of course to seeing family and friends again.  I've also begun a list of things that I want to do when I come back.
     So long, Hong Kong.