HK Skyline

The skyline of Hong Kong was a sight to behold. Across the sea on Hong Kong Island, huge skyscrapers line the entire horizon, with names of big shot companies lighting up the skies with their brand names. Hong Kong Island seems to be an entire island of commercial skyscrapers, but in fact, most of its developments are along the coasts as the central areas are too hilly. But in any sense, the rather majestic line up of buildings along the coasts is perhaps the stereotypical symbol of the city life.

It is quite a view, but it isn't something that I felt was particularly beautiful. I hate to think about the many city-dwellers whose passions and dreams have been replaced by insatiable greed of money and the material comfort it can bring. I feel that many times, it is a sad place where people lose sight of who they are, or who they want to be. Many of them get trapped in the competitive society they have created, living day after day pursuing other people's dreams, living in days of fear, anger and worry...

One of the things a Canadian student noticed was how the pace of life in Hong Kong was so much faster than in Canada. I find that particularly true, even as compared to the metropolitan Singapore. HK people rush through the streets simply focused on the direction they are heading, not even bothering to notice other people walking by. Walking through the crowded streets in the late afternoon, I also felt there was this overwheling sense of coldness. Most of the people wither were expressionless, or wore faces that showed irritation. There was hardly anyone who was laughing with friends, or even smiling. Except for the salespersons everywhere. It almost seems the pace of life is so busy that the people do not care about other people, or whatever else that is happening around them. They are just concerned about getting to their next destination, getting around to somewhere, or maybe nowhere.

I wonder: do they still have the time to stop and appreciate all the many things life has to offer now? Would Singapore turn out to be this way in a couple of years? Or even worse, would globalisation spread this phenomena around the world? Can we stop it? In fact, do we want to stop it?


Hong Kong Island