Last weekend, Sam and I went into mainland China during the holiday (July 1) which marks the anniversary of Hong Kong being handed over to China. Seems it was a good idea for us to get out of HK as thousands of people gathered to demonstrate their growing disappointment in the current governance of Hong Kong - despite a level 3 typhoon signal. That level of typhoon signal really just means heavy rain and winds, nothing too severe. At level 8, people are told to stay indoors.
While Hong Kong citizens were advocating for their democratic rights, Sam and I went to Shenzhen (the closest border city in mainland China - see the map) to get massages (often pronounced "massah-jee"). Apparently, the southern regions in China have a long history of bathhouses/massage which has led to the current situation of huge spa complexes on every block. Sam bought us a Groupon for $20USD each which covered a 100-minute body massage, 50-minute foot massage, and 24-hour access to the facilities: saunas, pools, showers, lounging area. The 24-hour access means you can treat the place like your hotel and sleep in the lounging area in big, comfy LazyBoy-esque chairs. Accommodation, massages all for $20USD. This is why I love China.
It's easy to get from Hong Kong over the border. You take the MTR (public metro system) for about an hour and you're at the border checkpoint. Exit Hong Kong customs. Enter China customs. Now you're in Shenzhen. Walk around, find food for 1/5 of the price in Hong Kong. Do a little dance. Have locals stare/laugh at you. Laugh at yourself. Make new friends because Sam can speak a little Mandarin. Check into the spa. Enjoy some fresh fruit. Get your foot massage while watching a Chinese soap opera. Walk around the markets. Observe how well the Chinese relax. They are professionals. Find it curious how many small children are out and about at 11:30pm on a Sunday. Soak up the occasional "smell bubble" - not initially pleasant, but somehow comforting. Eat hot pot. Drink beer. Feel too full. Walk around some more. Go back to the spa for your 100-minute massage. Sleep while overhearing someone's TV play a Chinese soap opera way too loudly.
The next day it poured. A typhoon was passing by the region. We found a safe haven inside McDonald's, of course. We were in no hurry to go back into the rain and were pleased to find a 10-year-old Chinese boy wanted to practice his English with us. I was amazed that he walked right up to our table and started talking. His English name was Henry, he was having lunch with his 5-year-old sister Shelly. We talked about sports and Disneyland. Oh, and the PRISM Project. During a lull in our conversation about favorite foods, he came out with, "Have you heard of the PRISM Project?" Sam and I looked at each other, surprised. I chuckled. We said yes, of course. But couldn't really expand given the language barrier. What a funny thing to have a young Chinese boy inquiring about my awareness of the NSA in a McDonald's on a rainy afternoon. I love China.
While Hong Kong citizens were advocating for their democratic rights, Sam and I went to Shenzhen (the closest border city in mainland China - see the map) to get massages (often pronounced "massah-jee"). Apparently, the southern regions in China have a long history of bathhouses/massage which has led to the current situation of huge spa complexes on every block. Sam bought us a Groupon for $20USD each which covered a 100-minute body massage, 50-minute foot massage, and 24-hour access to the facilities: saunas, pools, showers, lounging area. The 24-hour access means you can treat the place like your hotel and sleep in the lounging area in big, comfy LazyBoy-esque chairs. Accommodation, massages all for $20USD. This is why I love China.
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| Shenzhen Central Park. 30 June 2013 |
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| Bike/pedestrian lane on Futian Rd. Shenzhen, China. 30 June 2013 |
It's easy to get from Hong Kong over the border. You take the MTR (public metro system) for about an hour and you're at the border checkpoint. Exit Hong Kong customs. Enter China customs. Now you're in Shenzhen. Walk around, find food for 1/5 of the price in Hong Kong. Do a little dance. Have locals stare/laugh at you. Laugh at yourself. Make new friends because Sam can speak a little Mandarin. Check into the spa. Enjoy some fresh fruit. Get your foot massage while watching a Chinese soap opera. Walk around the markets. Observe how well the Chinese relax. They are professionals. Find it curious how many small children are out and about at 11:30pm on a Sunday. Soak up the occasional "smell bubble" - not initially pleasant, but somehow comforting. Eat hot pot. Drink beer. Feel too full. Walk around some more. Go back to the spa for your 100-minute massage. Sleep while overhearing someone's TV play a Chinese soap opera way too loudly.
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| The scene: hot pot. 30 June 2013. |
The next day it poured. A typhoon was passing by the region. We found a safe haven inside McDonald's, of course. We were in no hurry to go back into the rain and were pleased to find a 10-year-old Chinese boy wanted to practice his English with us. I was amazed that he walked right up to our table and started talking. His English name was Henry, he was having lunch with his 5-year-old sister Shelly. We talked about sports and Disneyland. Oh, and the PRISM Project. During a lull in our conversation about favorite foods, he came out with, "Have you heard of the PRISM Project?" Sam and I looked at each other, surprised. I chuckled. We said yes, of course. But couldn't really expand given the language barrier. What a funny thing to have a young Chinese boy inquiring about my awareness of the NSA in a McDonald's on a rainy afternoon. I love China.
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