Week 1 Recap

Ok, so after the first week... I frickin love this place. I began work on Thursday and went to lunch on Thursday and Friday with the people in my group. The majority are ex-pats from the U.S., Canada, France, Taiwan, South Africa, and Singapore, with some locals thrown in as well. They seem really cool. I am one of only two seniors in the group as there are about 10 Managers, 10 Senior Managers, and 5 Partners in the Capital Markets Center here.

On Friday we ate Dim Sum for lunch. Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal that is usually served with tea. There were multiple types of food that we ordered family style, in which everyone can simply have a little of everything. I ate quite a few things that I would never order on my own. An interesting experience but not a type of food I will eat on a regular basis.

On Friday evening, Jackie Chan, his cousin, and I all went to Lan Kwai Fong for drinks. Lan Kwai Fong is a block of multiple bars and clubs, and the largest ex-pat area in Hong Kong. Jackie said that locals will come to that area just to see British people. I met a few people there from Spain, France, and the U.S. I even had a little luck with a local girl using my newly learned Cantonese pick up lines. (Thanks to Jackie Chan) I am sure I did not do it justice, but she started a conversation with me in English. (They appreciate you just for trying) We left that bar and went to another, so I didn't speak with her for too long.

Now for Saturday. During the day I went to Kowloon (the pennisula portion of Hong Kong) While there, I went to the flea market. (that's what I call it at least) Here there are tents set up throughout this one street and it runs for at least 6 blocks. In these markets you can find a little of everything, mostly clothing items. (everything from belts, watches, purses and jerseys, to toys and chinese decorations) The items are not very expensive but they also expect you to haggle with them. (Dave Wagner would love it) I went into a video store in which I saw DVD's on sale for about $2.50 USD. Supposedly you can get them in mainland china for less than a dollar, but the quality may not as good.

On Saturday night I went to dinner with a manager, senior manager, partner, and their spouses, in SoHo. I had Indian food for the first time and I actually enjoyed it... the night before. (today is a little rough) After dinner we went to Lan Kwai Fong and had a couple of drinks. We went to this Filipino bar in which there was a live cover band. The band was Filipino as well, but were singing in English. It was great. They actually sounded really good. They sang mostly 90's American songs, but also some newer ones like Maroon 5 and Fergi. There was a girl and a guy who sang. The guy looked like a Filipino Enrique Iglesias (hilarious) and the girl was great. She could be my little Tia Carrere. Her voice was awesome and she was cute. But as the saying goes, "Don't fall in love with the first Filipino, English speaking, Cover Band singer that you see". And therefore I didn't. According to my co-workers, almost every bar in Manila has a live band every night, with equivalent talent. (can't wait until I visit the Philippines!) Also, they told me of a midget bar in which all of the servers, bouncers, and bar-tenders are midgets. (also in the Philippines)

Well, if that wasn't enough, then came the best part of the evening... Wan Chai. Wan Chai is full of what is called "sailor bars". It is every American with an Asian fetish's dream come true. (Sean and Dave, you will love it when you come visit) There is one section of Lockhart Rd. with girly bars. (strip clubs) Here, the strippers are not actually stripping. They are in bikinis just dancing on the front stage. At these bars, the girls will literally try and pull you in from off the streets. (a lot like Bourbon street in New Orleans) Because, even though the girls on stage aren't stripping, they are trying to get you to buy some over priced drinks and perhaps a little "something else" from the girls that aren't on stage. We didn't go to any of those bars.

We went to some other bars which were dance clubs. However, all of the girls are still "working". It is great place to go and dance with / talk to some of the hottest asian girls you have ever seen. If you have some cash on you, you can even do more with them. Of course, me being me, I talked to the girls as if they weren't "professionals". I met girls from the Phillipeans, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and even some from South America. I told them that they don't need to do what they are doing and they should move to America, where they can get real jobs. They said they can't get visas for America and while drunk I might have told some of them that I could get them visas. :-) The one girl actually said she is going to America in May and will be working as a nurse's aid as she just finished college. However, she needs the money to get there and that is why she is doing what she is doing. Interesting people at these places, and all of them speak English pretty well.