A Hong Kong I had never seen

“Hong Kong is my first on site” in the IT professionals’ lingo. I have always been fascinated with her culture, the ways in which she works, her people, their beliefs, the sea views, her vibrancy, the transportation system. I have written quite a bit about it and this city still, never fails to surprise me.

Probably surprise is a neutral noun. It can be pleasant as well as unpleasant.

Last evening, I went out for shopping with Mom. Mongkok had been unusually crowded with people not selling but standing with Chinese banners. I couldn't really fathom. Here’s my struggle with the surprise I got:

1. As we were still in the MTR (train), I heard the Driver announce that the train will not stop at Admiralty Station. Admiralty station is link station that connects the Island and the Kowloon line. I have read news in the newspaper of MTR apologizing for delaying trains by 2 minutes. Yesterday, I knew that this was something 'big' happening.

     2. Hong Kong Policemen are extremely helpful, courteous and very nice. They seem to be true the mission of “for the people”. Yesterday, I saw them with red eyes, carrying shields and truncheons marching towards public parks, jostling with the public.

3. Crossing the signal at Peddar street takes forever. You have to wait as well as hurry up irrespective of which time of the day or night you are at. Yesterday, Peddar Street was evacuated.

     4. Be it 12 at noon or midnight, the city is never short of luxury cars or public transport. If a bus stop is temporarily suspended, advance notice is issued. Yesterday, not a single bus/tram on the road. I saw a monotonous....a vehicle-less Hong Kong.

     5. The Taxi stand near Central Station is always gushing with taxis, people queuing up, hurrying up. Yesterday, I saw military vehicles parked at the taxi stand while innocent queues waited at the mercy of hesitant cab drivers.    
    
     6. More than anything else, Hong Kong has 'human traffic'. Yesterday, I saw quiet streets and hardly anyone on the road. Hong Kong bore an uncomfortable silence with police/ ambulance siren in the background. 

     7. When I had to undergo a dental surgery, I chose Hong Kong and told Mom- “Mom, I trust HK more”. When I go to office during Typhoon and Mom asks me to be careful, I reply, “Mom, I trust HK more”. When I go to ChungKing Mansion alone I go “Mom, I trust HK more”.

Yesterday, while my tired Mom with painful knees stood at Central station while I was running out on my hunt for taxi, I looked back. Mom sitting on a bench holding her knees, and military armored vehicles and armed forces on the right, it took me not more than a moment to change my decision. 
“Mom, can't leave you here alone....I don’t trust HK anymore”. 

P.S. No Tainanmen Square in Hong Kong please.