Some random "cross-cultural" thoughts.............,

Having been to both "mainland" China and Hong Kong before, I knew there were considerable differences. Hong Kong is part of China now, but it has it's own currency and it's own government structure. When you fly from mainland China, you need a "multiple entry" Visa to get back in. It's all somewhat confusing and I am not an expert.  
But, these two places in the "same" country could not be more like the proverbiable "Venus" and "Mars".  I knew this short trip would give me a nice "break" from the daily little "grinds" I experience living in Shangai.
First, and Shanghai has no control over this, but the weather in this more southern part of China was 18 C and 19C each day with sun. Gorgeous. I ditched my winter coat at the airport and felt the sun heating my face.
Second, the "noise factor". Shanghai is the loudest city I have EVER been in. Horns blow constantly. It"s not just a "toot"- they blare day and night. The minute traffic stops EVERYONE leans on their horn. Like it's going to make the light change or something. All the foreign teachers have complained about the noise of the streets- it" s pretty ear-shattering.
In Hong Kong the street/sidewalks are just as crowded and the roads are packed with buses, cars , and taxis. Do I hear horns? Hardly ever! Just the "regular" streets ape noises. And, Kowloon Park is like an oasis in the middle of this populated city. It's HUGE and has many entry points in the city. You must climb about a hundred steps steeply up. Once inside you take pathways which lead down and down and down- to the sculpture garden, to the ten or so fountains and to the pink flamingo habitat. Quiet and serene. You"d never know there was a city out there somewhere.
Shanghai has The People's Park in the People's Square, but it is not nearly so big and it is ground level. Yu Gardne is very nice and quieter- but it is a big tourist attraction and therefore busy ( except in winter when you don't want to be outside) and it costs $ to get in.
Third is the pedestrian.an safety issue. When the traffic light goes red and the pedestrian light goes green OH MY GOSH you can safely cross the street!!!!! What a concept!!!!

And AND  if the street is a little uneven or under some minor construction, there is a WARNING in both Cantonese  AND English to watch your step! Wow. Made me wonder if I would have ever broken my wrist in Hong Kong...............

Lastly, being in Hong Kong allowed me to do Two things that I have not been able to do in Shanghai:
Get a haircut with a "real" stylist. YES!!!!!! I love it! I tipped generously!
(He laughed at my drawing of what I wanted......)
And - see a film on the big screen with real popcorn and evereything. Found both of these online and figured out where in the city they were.............it's been a perfect (did I mention Perfect?) four days in Hong Kong.
(It was Los Vegas with those oldies but goodies - Morgan, Micheal, Kevin & Robert- but it was fun!)