There’s something about the words “visa run” that sends chills up any expat’s spine. They suck, let’s face it. And so, it was with a heavy heart and a whole lot of moaning to anyone who would listen that I set off to Hong Kong for 12 days (the longest, most expensive visa run ever).
Now, usually, 12 days in Hong Kong would seem amazing, right? Hong Kong is such a cool city, after all. But the very fact that it’s a visa run made me dread it. It’s a psychological thing (and possibly a grumpy person thing).
I told everyone I ever met “ugh, I have to go to Hong Kong next week for my visa. My work is flying me out there and putting me up for twelve nights.” And they, as any normal person might, said: “oh wow! Lucky you, how cool!” I would reply “oh, no, no. I only just got my dog back, and I’m going to miss him and my boyfriend — plus I’ll mainly be working in the office, and I can’t afford to spend 12 days in Hong Kong — it’s so expensive!” They would blink and wonder why and how I could see such a cool thing in such a negative light. That’s my talent, you see.
Now I’m here, I wonder the same. This definitely beats three nights in Vientiane in Laos, my usual spot for updating my visa. Seriously Vientiane really is rubbish to spend any more than one day, possibly two in. I have been there several times now and, once you have seen the temple, there’s nothing to do but eat and queue up for your visa.
I think I must deliberately seek out the negative in situations, sometimes. Even while I’m here, and really enjoying being back in this city (after a whole month and a half away), I find myself constantly measuring it up against Bangkok — people queue here, it’s easier to get around, there are more green spaces and better cafés, but it’s really noisy, the flats are tiny and it’s a little claustrophobic with all the skyscrapers. I’m making a mental “pros and cons” list of the two cities.
I think what scares me about letting myself enjoy the break is that I might just start loving Hong Kong a little too much. My feet are always threatening to itch and, right now I have things in my life as good as they have ever been — a great boyfriend, a beautiful (gremlin-like) dog I treat like a tiny furry son, a job I love and a tiny bit of spare cash to do things I like to do. All it would take for that happiness to come crashing down is for me to fall more in love with another city than I am with Bangkok.
Happiness is a precarious thing, you know. It doesn’t matter how good you have got it, if your mind decides you want something different, your happiness is shattered. Happiness, I find, is something to be a little overawed by and scared of — you waited so long for it to all slot into place and you know that it can’t last forever. Maybe I am doing it wrong.
Today is going to be a tricky one to be nonplussed by; I’m heading to lunch at Mandarin Oriental, then having my nails done in Causeway Bay after work before a few hill sprints in the most ideal place for that on Centre Street (steep, pedestrianised and not too busy in the evenings) — that’s a little tip for gym types who ever head to Hong Kong. You are welcome.
One thing Hong Kong does have to up its game with is the temperature. It’s very chilly indeed right now — 20C; can you imagine? It’s practically Arctic. Brrrr.
