Hiatus

Regrettably, this blog will be on hiatus until Christmas time because I go to UK in 2 days.
Unless something Hong Kong style wise comes up while I'm at university there will be minial activity here.
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A Video of Luohu Commercial City

Quote Tee of the Week

Spotted in Luohu Commercial City, Shenzhen.



I wish you could have seen his reaction when we managed to sign language what his shirt said...
"omg....omg..." was all he managed to say, but in a pretty cheeky satisfied sort of way.

Typhoon Dress Code

As I sit here writing this, with the storm as my soundtrack, still damp from my scurry home after a cancelled gallery exhibition openning, I realised I was not properly attired or prepared for the incurring typhoon. Typhoon season is upon us(!) and unless you enjoy the wet and wind-swept look, it's time to get out the wet weather gear. My holy No Sweat sneakers introduce too many rain drops to my socks, this is most unwelcome when I have to sit on a bus dripping wet under the blasting air conditioning.

Some tips for the typhooning weather:

T1 - "This is a stand-by signal, indicating that a tropical cyclone is centred within about 800 km of Hong Kong and may affect the territory."

Not too serious, you can get by with any old umbrella and even your ordinary gear.

T3 - "Strong wind is expected or blowing generally in Hong Kong near sea level, with a sustained speed of 41-62 km/h (kilometres per hour), and gusts which may exceed 110 km/h, and the wind condition is expected to persist. Winds are normally expected to become generally stronger in Hong Kong within 12 hours after the issue of this signal. Winds over offshore waters and on high ground may reach gale force."

You'll want to pack a sturdier umbrella so leave the compact one at home and bring with you the mary poppins' style one. Wear comfortable shoes that don't get slippery from the rain or get drenched through and through, jelly shoes would be your best bet.

T8 - "Gale or storm force wind is expected or blowing generally in Hong Kong near sea level, with a sustained wind speed of 63-117 km/h from the quarter indicated and gusts which may exceed 180 km/h, and the wind condition is expected to persist."

While an umbrella can generally keep the rain off of the upper part of your body, the lower becomes a target once the gusts reach 180km/h. My advice would be a very large mac, wellies and as little clothing as possible, to avoid catching your death of cold on the public transport. Skin dries faster than material. Socks would also be useless in this weather.

T10 - "Hurricane force wind is expected or blowing with sustained wind speed reaching upwards from 118 km/h and gusts that may exceed 220 km/h."

Hopefully you'll have reached your safe house before a signal 10 is enforced, but if you're unlucky enough to be stuck in the million person long bus line here's what you'll need: EVERYTHING that was mentioned for T3 and T8 plus a towel, a helmet, walkie talkie with your next of kin on receiving end, spare clothes and make it your life's mission to avoid areas of built up illegal structures. Flying roof tops may occur, Wizard of Oz style.

I'm now off to scour the streets for Umbrella Fashions.

Proud to Live in HK

If there ever was a way to prove it.

TodaY I'm Wearing -3/8/07-

*Black and white stripey tank top from friend
*Waist coat from Me & George
*Brown necklace from Sham Shui Po
*Gold necklace from my Nana
*Blue skirt from Mary Bible
*Bag from Shenzhen
*Blue shoes from 5cm

--Today I'm heading out to Sham Shui Po to try and make a copy of the gold necklace.
--My friend recently told me Sham Shui Po is a shopping area we have gravely missed out on. That is my next scouring destination and will soon report back.

Shenzhen Part 2: The evidence

Crossing the border is the easiest for Hong Kong permanent residents and even easier for Chinese nationals. In the latter only an ID card is presented into an electronic machine along with thumb print. HK permanent residents; don't forget to bring your passport with your Visa, along with your ID card. (I forgot my passport and lost 2 precious hours. Silly me). The KCR takes you straight to the border, Lo Wu.

Lo Wu Commercial City Centre is the closest mall from the KCR station and needs at least a whole day to take a good look around. Close to 1500 shops selling clothes, shoes, sunglasses, watches, gadgets, DVDs/VCDs, materials and jewellery. According to Ellen McNally, author of "Shop in Shenzhen; an insider's guide" even real dinosaur eggs. (!!!)

We entered, at random, one of the many shops and after much unsuccessful haggling and leaving because I literally didn't have enough money for the two jackets I wished to purchase. After being physically grabbed and dragged back into the shop, fingers working quickly on calculator and persuaded with half the amount of which the garments were originally priced I bought them. Success! Penniless, we moved onto the tailor on the top floor of the mall, where any fabric of any design can be chosen to make whatever you wish. Anything. Bring a picture, an item to copy, or even your own design and it's theirs to make at an impressively affordable price.

I brought a dress to be copied and the result will be posted here next week. Whether it turns out well is the risk you take. For my Year 13 formal I had a dress made from my own design, when it arrived it was unwearable and the fabric I had chosen was atrocious. So unless you're very talented in selecting, designing and explaining exactly what you want, it's better to bring an original to copy.

Here are the jackets I bought:

Shenzhen Part 1

Yesterday I ventured out to Shenzhen for a day trip. I planned to get a dress copied and stock up on warm clothes for my looming new life in England. What a success it was. Today I saw the latest HK Magazine, No.689. It's main article is about shopping in Shenzhen, so get a copy and get yourself over to Shenzhen. Explore the crazy vast world of super cheap treasures. Extortionate bargaining is a protruding trait of shopping in China. If haggling you love, China be your sweetheart.

FAKE ALERT: they are everywhere, but maybe that is your reason for travelling there. However, I caution you, in recent times the authorities have been cracking down. A $2000 fine per fake could turn out to be a costly skip over the border.

Each country has different prices for Visas to China, there is a comprehensive list here: www.visainchina.com/visa3.htm