Coffee & Fireworks

There is plenty to appreciate about Hong Kong: its energy and modernity, its proximity to yet freedom from China, cheap food, lush mountains jutting out of the South China Sea, efficient public transport, and a beautiful skyline. However, I must regretfully admit that after one week in Asia, I've found myself missing facets of American life.

I miss walking along tree-lined streets with no one else around. I miss a flat, easily walkable campus. I miss seventy-degree weather and less-than 85% humidity. I miss being able to carry on a fluid, cogent conversation with any of my classmates. I miss whole-wheat toast, vegetables, tomatoes, drinks without loads of sweetened condensed milk and sugar, and boneless chicken breast. I miss real coffee.

Adjusting my coffee consumption has been one of the most noticeable changes to my daily life. In the States, large cups of normal, drip-brewed coffee are readily available. Commercial access, along with my home-brewed cups of Joe enable me to fulfill my routine consumption of 4 cups of coffee easily. Here, a cup of coffee is usually instant and always small.

I've pared down my consumption to one mini-cup a day, complete with undissolved particles of dehydrated instant coffee powder, which, by comparison, makes the dregs of my American coffee seem like Kopi Luwak.

I miss the ritual of my habit. I miss waking up and looking forward to the smell of my morning coffee. That this is my most significant source of cultural dissonance on my first visit to Asia, I should consider myself privileged. And, I can look forward to the smell of gunpowder this weekend at the Macau International Fireworks Display Competition.