Hong Kong - the city of Blinding Lights…

The city with its own distinct beauty during night time. The city with an invitation to a completely fast-paced world. Bringing people from different cultures, different countries and different worlds together.

 

I must say, it took me time to adjust to life here in Hong Kong. The MTR always serves as a reminder that I am a part of this fast paced world now.

 

I missed the lights, the pace and especially the freedom to live life on my own terms. Hence, the spontaneous decision to return back despite all of my classes being delivered in the online mode.

 

Being a very introverted person, I thought that the 21-Day Quarantine would be a cakewalk for me. I was in for a surprise.

 

Much ironic to the name of my quarantine hotel, I could barely see the harbor view. The concrete jungle of the high rise buildings blocking the sight of scenic natural landscapes Hong Kong boasts about. And the wall of the hotel separating me from my supposed fast-paced life. 

 

And suddenly, I had a lot of time. Especially,to ponder about things. So much so I was afraid I may turn into a philosopher of sorts. And that was scary sometimes... Thankfully, my classes had already started which helped me kill time. Besides thinking and studying, I devoted a large portion of my time watching movies or listening to music. But perhaps, the best part was getting tons of sleep.I was always concerned about not getting enough beauty sleep, and now I could possibly enter a pageant. Time seemed like an infinite concept during quarantine. Somehow, there was always time to think. Talking to friends over call somehow helped curb the unavoidable loneliness that stemmed during quarantine. And there was also a tiny disappointment that some didn't care to. Drawing illustrations turned out to be therapeutic indeed. Thank god, I packed my art supplies.

 

But perhaps, a quarantine was indeed what I needed after all. I learnt what patience means. What mindfulness means. What being vulnerable means. In fact, I believe it was one of THE MOST vulnerable experiences of my life. 

 

Who knew eating home cooked Indian food once in a while and listening to Hindi songs in one of the most international cities could give me such sheer happiness. But the best day of it all was finally when I finally got free and left behind the bitterness of a non-complying hotel staff, homesickness and dearly missing my friends.

The sun shone really bright that day. I couldn’t believe my luck.I was back on the streets of the “City of Blinding Lights”.