buses and trains

Two of the things I was excited to see and experience in Hong Kong were their buses and trains. I know. I know. It sounds silly but yes, it’s true. A public commuter that I am, I just have to check them out. But no, don’t expect me to be the techie kind of person who’d inspect every inch of technology Hong Kong has used in these modes of transportation. Rather, I’m more of the life–in–between curious type of person. I’m curious about experiencing what it would be like to be with them in between where they’ve been (which is none of my business) and where they’re going (which is also none of my business). To me, being in buses and trains alongside with them is the only time I could observe and watch people by not being obvious at all. =)

It is in this train and bus rides that I’ve observed the following:

• People (the locals) are always in a hurry. You know, when you’re carrying a baby, you tend to walk slower than you usually do. So that’s what happened to me. I slowed down and I couldn’t help but notice how often I got cut in. Lol! Although it can get irritating sometimes especially when you know trains come and go every five minutes, but you simply can’t let it get to you. Because really, who likes to wait for the next train when there’s always a chance to get into one immediately? =)

Khandi on a stroller inside the train

• People use their (touch screen) phones a lot. Yes, I don’t think I’ve ever seen them use phones that don’t have touch screen. Either they play games with it or listen to music or talk with someone. This isn’t really a shock to me. Rather, I am amazed and more amazed when I see most of them have iPads. Hehe.

• When there are people around you, there’s a small chance you lose things. My daughter Khandi always brings her comfort doll, Ansherina, with her. Although we always make it a point to place it inside the bag, Khandi insists to hold it whenever she’s tired and sleepy. And by that, when she falls asleep and either being carried around by her father or sitting on a stroller, there’s that big chance “Anshe” falls off her hand. So you can just imagine how many times she had dropped Anshe and how many times we’ve been rescued (kay dakong gubot kung mawala si Anshe) by the people around us. Either they’d poke you on your shoulder and point to the doll on the floor or hand the doll to you. I’ll always be grateful for their kind gestures to strangers like us. So when I found an iPhone in one of the stone side–benches of Ocean Park while I was walking, I hurriedly went to it and asked around whose phone was it. Of course, the way I acted is expected from each of us. But I guess what I’m trying to say is, in my short stay there, they have inspired me to want to do better by acting out immediately, and not wait for someone else to see it and do something about it.

J, K, and (raggedy doll) "Anshe" aboard a train for Disneyland.
• (Most) People are in awe of children. Well, they coo and talk to Jule like she’s their neighbor or relative. Hehe. They had often exclaimed in their own English way, “She’s got big eyes.” Lol! Then one time, while we were riding the double–decker bus and Khandi just kept on talking and talking and pointing at buildings and anything she’d see by the road, the other passengers (especially the older ones) were smiling and pointing to her and just kept on looking at us. I guess she amused them and wondered if it’s the first time she’d ever seen buildings, etc. Lol! Jk.

aboard a double-decker bus
• People are quick to give up their seats…for me, of course. They know it’d be terrible to ride the train standing, holding on to something with one hand, and holding your baby with the other hand. =)

• You can never get lost in Hong Kong if you just ask. Although we were armed with information about what train to take before we head off for a day’s itinerary, there were many times we got confused about which way to go to get to the train. :hide: But we asked around and found the way. I guess we got lucky that most of the locals we asked, understand us in English. Besides, there are a lot of Filipinos in the train station. You’d recognize each other right away saying, “Pinay?” Hihi.


La lang. Share ko lang. Have a great weekend, everyone! =)