Planes And Airports

Hello from Hong Kong!

I finally got to send my films to my old lab again! Compared to the Dublin lab, this lab is fast, cheaper, and provides much better quality work. Once I dropped off a roll of C41 film at the lab jumped back on the MTR and headed home. I got my scans before I got home.

Speaking of MTR-Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Rail something, something, the subway system-, I got a sobering reminder that I am in fact in Hong Kong again. This morning, I hop on the MTR for my lab. It’s past rush hour and the morning crowd has thinned. I get on a half empty train. I walk up to a seat, turn around to sit down, and a man snatch that seat behind my back, newspaper in hand. There are at least 5 other seats in the immediate area where this blatant act of aggression is committed. I find another seat, and sit down. The seat stealer never look up from his newspaper. I almost love little moments like this one. I have become slower and lost my sharpness navigating Hong Kong. In my defence, I am jet lagged, and I am on but 3 hours of sleep.

Like that is not enough of a shock, after I drop off the film at the lab, I get back on to the MTR heading back to city centre. The train is more crowded, standing room only. I find a little corner by the train door, and settle down for my little trip. The next stop, a man walks on to the train, and stand about 4 inches in front of my face. The train is not that crowded. It’s another reminder that Hong Kong people have a very poor sense of personal space, especially on public transportations. They’d stand so close to you that you can hear the rustle of their beard growing. You’d think I am joking while I am not. I’m pinned into a corner. So I quietly take out my kindle and raise it between myself and the gentleman who never registers my existence even though I am only inches away. When the plastic edge of my kindle nudges him, he moves forward just enough for my digital personal space guard.

Tip for saneness in Hong Kong: passive aggressive personal space guard. Nothing of high value, but sturdy, hard edges, big enough to work, but not too big to draw unwanted attention to yourself. I think we can all agree that a grand piano is a bit of overkill in this situation. You can thank me later.

Anyway, tips for walking in Hong Kong will come soon. Stay tuned.

Back to today’s topic: air travel.

It always put me on edge navigating the hustle of air travel: passport, security, luggage, and water bottles, etc. It’s never easy, especially now I have to travel with a toddler who hates planes, except for his Lego planes. I find taking photos helps ease the anxiety, as it does in other situations. Observing and documenting this clockwork of humans and gigantic machineries can be soothing. Here’s a few photos from my trip. Photos developed and scanned by my lab in Hong Kong.

A plane’s a mandatory shot.

This is a shot I don’t normally condone. I find it gimmicky. But what the heck!

A proper shot of the Frankfurt Airport.

A quiet corner.

The following is a series of wing shots.

Approaching Hong Kong.

Hot wing, right?

We are almost there.

A bit smoggy.

Wing, bridge and mountains.

Touchdown! Why do people still cheer when a plane lands? Asking for a friend.

Taxiing!

Final snapshot at the Hong Kong Airport.

There it is! Thank you flying with me! Come back for more tips that could improve your survival chances in Hong Kong. No joke! Until then, take care!