WTO Protest

Local Words for Democracy in Hong Kong

There are so many thought and feelings from the people here in Hong Kong. I was treated to the words of a long time resident. One who has liver her whole life here and continues to hope for a free democratic society. These are her words…

“I was born and brought up in Hong Kong and have witnessed many major events that have decided our future. When the British were the Governor we had no awareness of the political issues, life seemed to be happy and people were satisfied. But things changed dramatically as soon as China took over Hong Kong in 1997. Mr. Tung became our Chief Executive and has been the worst since I can remember. Things continued to get worse even after SARS when Mr. Tung demonstrated his incapability to lead Hong Kong after a series of big events. As Hong Kong citizens, we felt so helpless but still wanted to control our own destiny.

Then the voice for freedom to elect our ideal Chief Executive began to emerge. People started to look at the "Basic Law" to find out what election rights we have. It's been clearly written down the schedule for universal suffrage (2007) but the Chinese Authority postponed it without any reasonable groundings. We are all resented by this. Our current Chief Executive, Mr. Donald Tsang was not chosen by the people. In fact, he was nominated by the China Government to be our Chief Executive. We have no choice. We need basic human rights - the freedom election. Countries like Taiwan, Indonesia, and Thailand all have their freedom of election, why a place like Hong Kong which is so well-developed, so civilized has been deprived its basic right? The road for democracy has always been uneasy. But we will fight for it - until the day we win.”

For more information please visit two websites one by the Democratic party in Hong Kong that gives some brief ideas why the People if Hong Kong fight for universal suffrage as it has been written in the "Basic Law" which was drafted and agreed by both the British and Chinese Government. The other site reflects genuine opinions of the majorities in Hong Kong.

Major Pro Democracy Protest in Hong Kong

On Sunday December 4 as many as 250,000 people took to the streets in protest over the pro Chinese government system that has been put in place here in Hong Kong. Their slogan “one person, one vote” qualifies them in their action to have the right to choose the executive chair and the leadership of Hong Kong. Beijing has administered a project to allow people to vote (a mock democracy some say) for a selection of candidates that have been appointed to run for office from an 800 member election committee. This system although entitles one to vote, the candidates themselves are put their not by the people but (it is said) by pro China members of government (this said 800 member election committee). This protest could prove to be a monumental step for democracy in this country that has been overshadowed by the great walls of China. Since the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, the Beijing central government has claimed a “one country, two system” formula that promised to give autonomy to Hong Kong. Yet there are obvious changes and influences sweeping this SAR (Special Administrative Region) that come from over the border. This thriving spec on the map is bringing international attention from its pro democracy protests and boasts to be one of the economic capitals of Asia. This takes place all in the buildup to the 2005 WTO (World Trade Organization) Ministerial Conference that will take place this coming week. (Photos compliments of Nancy Lo)

Global Peace

There was one point when I was younger when I thought that the famous two fingers up peace sign was unique to North America. Then I traveled to Europe and found it to be common there. Asia obsessed youth with the two fingers showed me that almost every picture was worthy of peace. Then I traveled to Africa and there to was no disputing it. These kids in a small village just out side of Pokhara, Nepal got it right and taught me about peace. Perhaps like them we should stretch our fingers in satisfaction to Global Peace.

Perambulators...what?

The other day I was kindly minding my own business on the typical double decker buses here in Hong Kong and this sign jumped up and hit me on the head. What the heck is a perambulator? The dictionary even calls this thing “old use” or “old fashioned.” Now as much as I've traveled and been all over the world these many years this was a new one to me. Sounds like something out of a science book or the arch nemesis of the Terminator. So for you who have kids or just want to sound intelligent feel free to use this very English term. For all you Pramies here is some advice on buying one of these old guys…Pass the pram please!?

Lost in Translation

Do you ever feel lost in a new country? Or perhaps you are just shocked out of your mind from all the chaos and unfamiliarity? What about when you follow the same path everyday for months in this world of craziness?

The other day I was walking on my usuall route through bustling markets selling fish, squid, hanging pieces of meat (I assumed it was beef or pig), birds, nuts, dried seahorses, fruit and many other things (some of which I don’t even know). Now for the average Canadian this would have been a movie scene and the smells and sensors would probably be on the edge of explosion. I on the other hand was just passing by on my way home and for a brief moment in time thought “some of these people I see everyday…it feels good to be home.”

Well my friend the verdict is simple…culture shock comes and goes in many forms. I walk past snakes and frogs being sold, chicken being slaughtered and feathered in this far off land and never once has it been a shock to my system. Whether I am habituated to funkiness, completely messed up or just adjust instantly it is unknown to me. The real problem is when I go back home. Yes…the dreaded reverse culture shock! It makes me turn blue and then I vomit from the plentyness, normalness, and boringness. I am addicted to the unusual.

Dubai Misses You

Have you ever thought what it would be like to visit Dubai for just a day? You might loose yourself in the Gold market, find exotic shoes, or trip over a bucket of spices. These might be a few of things that first come to your mind when you think of the Arabic peninsula. You might even as I had, the opportunity to be taught how to pray at a couple mosques (one which was quite enormous). They will buy you clothes a Kufi (Muslim traditional hat), and introduce you to the local Shehe (religious leader) in hopes that you will mutter the words of conversion. They will then drive you around the city in their Mercedes and chant religious prayers for you (partly because they can not speak English). As the day slowly creeps on these two kind Muslim Arabs you slowly started to realize that the once image of spices, desserts, gold, and trade has been replaces with people who in every action thought, chanted and walked with their god. Despite the uniformly built buildings and westernized shopping centers the landscape is void of moisture and full of mystery. And as you slowly made your way back to the airport to board the plane you feel a sigh of relief and remember the thoughts of before you arrived. You have finally experienced Dubai.

Mostar's New Bridge in Bosnia

During the Bosnian war this bridge was destroyed. This very famous bridge separated the Muslims from the Christians in the city of Mostar. I took this picture in the summer of 2003 and there was much work yet to be done. I came across the finished bridge appropriately shown by a great organization... The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees but for a complete explanation of the bridge visit here. I also like this picture which was taken recently since the bridge's completion.

Bosnia vs Themselves

The sun was hot as I peered through the overcast sky as dozens of minarets scattered the city. A sudden bellow could be heard and then another and another as the prayer call started for the evening. “Allahu akbar” was the chant which ironically means "God is great" and which perplexed me a little from the history of the area. I thought how could God be great where religious and political fanatics claimed death in the name of God? I suppose the only answer to that is either I don’t understand the complete context of the Bosnian Genocide of 1992-1995 or I completely understand that racism and prejudice (which are not godlike qualities) had infiltrated the psyche of the main groups involved. While some were just fighting for survival and protection of their family others were fighting in the name of God as if there was a signed document to kill your neighbor. The more I wandered the sprawling city of Sarajevo the more I needed to focus on how great a city it used to be. I kept in mind that this was a stable state pre-1980 under the command of Tito (despite the fact that he divided Yugoslavia into six distinct administrative regions). After his death Slobodan Milosevic stepped in and took over presidency and in just four year Sarajevo was awarded the 1984 XIV Winter Olympic Games. The first time in fact that the Winter Games had ever took place in a Socialist country. But now things were different. I was amazed to see the crumbling buildings, pot holes on many streets, and almost every building with pieces of concrete missing from the obvious shrapnel and bullets. The hills and area surrounding (although green) were covered with thousands of deadly landmines waiting for some desperate or careless person to lose their way. The feeling of troubled history fizzled at the bottom of my soda as I sipped thoughtfully to find one proof that the war did not happen. The people (with the occasional legless or armless passing by) stared with wide eyes piercing my innocent soul as if to say "do you see". It was the lasting testimony as over 200,000 people were murdered, all in the name of difference. Even as we speak the former Yugoslav President Milosevic’s War Crimes Tribunal squeals insufficient funding stretching for the past 11 years. Will justice ever be seen, will people ever be held accountable. I suppose it all comes back to one of the main reason this war ever took place…God. He will be the judge and finalize any inconsistencies that have not yet been arranged. So in saying “God is great” we are least closer to the truth than realize.

Sailing Freaks

As far as I can tell two spectacular places to sail and live would be Vancouver, Canada and Auckland, New Zealand. Despite the fact that I have lived in Vancouver but only visited Auckland I can't help but feel a vague similarity in people, culture and attitudes. If there is any who can shed more light on the sailing subject in these places please lend a helping hand. Until then enjoy the Auckland Harbour.

Gone Monkey in Nepal

If you have gone "Monkey in Nepal" you might find your self lost in translation meandering up the grand long steps to the famous Monkey Temple at Swayanabath in Kathmandu. Just when you think monkeys are cute and cuddly there bombards you hundreds of these sneaky creatures ready to grab anything in your hands. I say creatures because they seem to hold some surreal sense of belonging to this Temple. No where else in Kathmandu can you go and feel the ownership of the monkey more than here. There are also the ominous mysterious ever seeing eyes on all four sides of the stupa that remind you “we are watching you”. The nose is the number one, signifying the predominance of Buddha. This sacred building that has been around for hundreds of years is dear to both the Hindu and the Buddhist. There is of coarse the huge tourist entry cost the helps you feel important even though begging and groveling and swearing that you have come there to worship it will help none to lower the price. Dish out, then pray hard. The Monkey Temple of Kathmandu a must see for religiously inclined…or monkey inclined. Enjoy more interpretation here. I hope that these original works will inspire and help you on your road to freedom. You may want to find out more about photoblogring | random.

The Untitled Poem for HKTT (please think of a title for me)

Swimming through a swamp of Mud, It beckons me to feel the way, My heart keeps sinking with a dud, There must be more to life I pray. Mussing, mussing singing my song, With thoughts of reckoning in my head, Suddenly she's standing her hair dark and long, She takes me by the hand and puts me to bed. My sleep is a dream where reality breaks, I am composed of red where my body quakes. Will this feeling every go will it be my goodbye, Will she come back to her home and look in my eye, Emptiness is real it does not compensate, For this feeling of rage for this feeling of hate. I am alone!

Hello HKTT Students....Coming soon your special Poem with love from McKay

The Land of Hong Kong

Have you ever thought about living in Hong Kong? Many say that the economy is coming back and that now is the time to find the jobs and get the big money. In all this ruckuss there is simply still one thing that can be said about this place...Hong Kong is unique. If you are here to get the big bucks, wear fancy shirts, hang with the high rollers or simply lounge at one of the many restaurants at Lan Kwai Fong, you are here for a reason and you are an integral part of the culture and life. The Island is much different than Kowloon or the New Territories showing as much diversity yet with the feel that only being here can produce. I live in a little 500 square foot two bedroom flat in the heart of Wanchai and the concrete, buildings and people squeeze me as to take away my breath. The one major thing that people who have only heard of Hong Kong is the simple reality that this place is over 80% wilderness. That's right, once you pop out of the densely populated areas there is as if a beckoning ice cream on a sweltering hot day beautiful parks, trees, lakes and mountains that in an instant (literally a five minute walk in some places) sweep you into the peace of nature. Birds, insects, butterflies and even monkey bid you welcome to their home with open arms. The monkeys in some areas are so welcoming that they will take whatever you are holding as a gift to the king to enter their kingdom. Now just when you think you have found your paradise you come upon beaches, coves and waves that have never seen a human before. The water surrounding compliments rectifies the reality of living on an island. So I must for the record say that at least now you can think and imagine about living in Hong Kong. You can always Discover Hong Kong here.

Potala Palace in Lhasa

There are some that say change is inevitable, while others think that is created by natural influences. Does everything always happen for a reason? The Potala Palace once the home of Dalai Lama is now a sacred museum void of the once bustling holy men that roamed the halls. There is a sense of emptiness of yearning for the spirit of an almost forgotten past. Stairs lead up to the many mausoleum's of ancient bodies that lie in wait to observe their spiritual reincarnation. A monk greets the tourists and blesses them as they walk on bye...a Chinese, a Tibetan, a Canadian...the one commonality is to pay their respect and observe the past through eyes of a crumbling old building with emptiness in it's bossom. Potala Palace a place of grandness, history and mystery...a place of forgotten peace.

In Lhasa

Hummm which way

Mike & Megs

McKay's Special Pictures

It's those precious moments that capsulate the joys and dreams of life.

Hey Chickens wanna see my brothers sweety blog...go to landon wood and endulge yourself.

Tibet the Final frontier as many would say. The emotions of landscape, blistering sun and snow, wind raptured prayer flags, chanting monks, countless ruins, Dalai Lama and the cultural revolution conjure a documentary that few have tried to produce. In 2001 I landed in Lhasa shocked with altitude and the historical culture. Less than twenty years earlier the capital still boasted dirt roads and more Tibetans than Chinese. Times inevitably change and typically not the way we would like. In August 2005 I attempted my second run to tame my dreams and once again landed in the capital. The development and building that greeted me was a collage of brick and concrete, coupled with countless Chinese and their work hard philosophy. Even after just four year the landscape of Lhasa had evolved to the depth of so called "modernity". Development and "liberation of the Tibetan people" was the initial shout from a government that destroyed over 90% of all holy buildings and structures. Since then the battering perpetual call to free the Tibetan people of an old, caring Dalai Lama issues his final plea of governance and accepts the rule of an obsessive ruler to concur a culturally rich and military lacking race. For those who have dreamed to touch the mountains, play the clouds, and feel heaven your time to reach "the top of the world" needs to be sooner than later. The once Tibet is now becoming overrun.

Yak...Yak...Yak...Have you ever seen a Yak? Well the first time I saw this hairy beast was on the Tibetan Plateau. Equiped with bells, horns, nose ring and hair that would make Marg Simpson jellous. So always watch out for the "Yak Attack". 

The Zombies of Hong Kong

If you have ever walked through the streets of notorious Hong Kong you will quickly realize that you are not alone. In fact the more you wander the more you find that walking here is actually like a video game. Meandering zombies on their way to their master Count Dracula to report the feeds of the day. Working 8:30 to 7:30 six days a week certainly can not be healthy...that is unless you find time amidst the onlooking of a suspicious boss to work out, go swimming, take a leisurely walk, pray, read your spiritual book, take a vacation, and do the required work on hand. Alas, this can not quite be a reality and thus I capsulate these monotonous individuals to the slave driving force behind Dracula's thriving regime. I will evermore become the Zombie killer.

Hey...when you play with knives be gentle.

Can These Guys be trusted???? What do you think?

Do you sometimes feel like this Chinese New Years Dragon when you wake up in the morning? 

Recently Julianne and I went to Taiwan and boy did we eat like kings. In fact if you look closely you can see just how big my belly really is at this Japanese Restaurant. 

Yes Dog's Latrine. 

Have you ever seen a dog latrine before? Well while I was hiking I came across one. Good thing dogs don't need privacy while doing their thing. 

The Boys on St. Helens Sometimes it's those great memories that last forever.