Living the 'high life'

On a recent visit to Hong Kong with my brother, my Dad started telling me that I was living too much of the 'high life'.  Obviously I disagreed, and after he kept saying that I should come home so he could set me straight, I knew it was probably more about missing me than actually living the 'high life'.

At the time I really thought that he was wrong - the 'high life'? YEAH RIGHT!! I am the Nana of the group, I'm the one who sometimes stays at home on a Saturday night or has a quiet weekend in - how can I be living the 'high life'?

Obviously this had me thinking and the more I thought about it, the more I could see his point - he wasn't just missing me - it was kind of true - maybe even a fact - I am living the high life! However, only in the capacity of someone living their life in New Zealand - not here in Hong Kong.

Before anyone gets offended, let me explain...

I loved my life in NZ, my friend and I would finish work in the summer and if it was hot, would stop off at the river for a quick dip, pick up a few bottles of wine on the way home, chill out with the flatmates/ friends on the balcony/ front yard and then after grabbing some takeaway head out to the local bar to dance the night away to a great covers band.  The next morning worse for the wear, we would struggle out of bed around 10.30, watch the Home and Away marathon, beg our friend to get us McD's and when he told us only if we come, we hop into the car in our pj's and go through the drive through.  By Sunday night we are ready for the roast dinner with friends - a tradition - and have an early night for work the next day.  The odd occasion we would head out for dinner on a weeknight but otherwise it is a pretty quiet week.  LOVED IT!!! Miss it!!

Here in Hong Kong (where I also love my life), it is a little bit different.  If I recap this past week it would go like this - Friday - drinks with some staff members on the Pier, home by 12, get up early for a girl's weekend to Macau (grant you this doesn't happen every weekend - but as it is only an hour away it  can happen more often that not), see Kelly Clarkson in concert, lie by the pool for a few hours, attend Kelly's after party poolside (very LA), live it up in a 3000 room 5 star hotel, travel back to HK, have a quick casual dinner with a friend on Monday (impromptu) attend a dance class, Tuesday relax, Wednesday birthday drinks for a friend - head out straight from school, buy food and wine and sit on top of IFC on wicker couches enjoying the view of the harbour, Thursday (slight hangover - too many sangria jugs), show for Le French May with friends, Friday, could have been drinks for a friends birthday but was cancelled at the last minute (thank god), quiet night in, ready for a Sunday spent at school - don't ask!

The real difference is, in Hong Kong people work to all hours and don't have cars.  Most people live alone.  Hong Kong is a small city/country so is easy to get around.  We don't have front yards, few have balconies, NO ONE would swim in a river (if we had them), hung over McD's is delivered and tourists are everywhere and the Kong caters for that.  It is a major world city, however it is really a small village.  

The ease of the rubber arm bending is rife and it is VERY easy to get swayed into impromptu things, especially after a long day and they are offering half price or Happy Hour rates - first hand experience right here! AND when you are already taking the bus home - it's on the way!

Back home, prices are higher, the dollars goes nowhere and the culture is different.  Drinks at a house before going out, flatmates and outdoors with blue skies and fresh air - none of that can be had in Hong Kong.  

In Hong Kong - your social life is on display constantly to those around you - apartments are too small to have gatherings or parties so we tend to head out more to erase the solitude of our tiny apartments and seek the comfort of social outings.  No flatmates are had so the need to get out of the apartment and about in the city is a must.

So Dad I see your point, however, I have decided that I am not really living the high life just adjusting to my surroundings and adhering to the culture of Hong Kong!  

See how I wiggled my way out of that one!

Love RSG! xo