Sep 17, 2009

Booking a ticket for a tour...

Is it wrong to book tickets for your own when are travelling on a tour? How much I wish that I am seated in front of a plane even when I am travelling on tour. Sitting at the back of the tour simply doesn’t feel good. When you are going through air turbulences, you will be affected most. The more front you are seated, the better off I think I am (at least). However, this time, I have a very good experience such that I have opted for a tour that I wanted but then I cannot go totally because I want a ticket that I issue myself. So ladies and gentlemen, to play save, don’t buy an air ticket of your own and join a tour!

What’s more, I find that Cathay Pacific does not really help passengers that much – particularly when it goes to money. I guess this is the corporate style. Even for myself, working in a corporate, I do have that attitude while facing my clients (or even internal staff!). The monetary world has driven us to the state where we only pay attention to that. Yet, my own consciousness has reminded me that I have to thank the world for what it is given already. And most of all, money isn’t everything! It limits your spending power, which is related to the utility, but with enough money, you live, and you can enjoy your surroundings. The eagerness to jump around and explore is the consequence of money and technological development of cars and planes yet mankind simply cannot get away from the attraction (particularly myself!). So, we are doomed to be in the viscous cycle of getting money and getting utility. How many days should we just sit down and enjoy the sun and mountains? How many days do we want our cell phone to be shut down so that no one calls in to disturb our communication with God? (or for non-religions – nature).

Perhaps I should calm down and rethink the importance of life but how can I do so? Or should I just “go with the flow”?...

Sep 4, 2009

Counting down

Yes I know I shouldn't be writing but I really want some sort of relaxation. Day by day you get into the office and work your butt off and at the end of the day, endless work continue. To do it in the western way, I would have taken a break off right away but the thing is you have to work when you are in Asia. Worst still, not to recall how bad Mainlander's etiquette can be, I would really want to escape to somewhere where Chinese will not really touch. The best choice - Japan! Here are the reasons:

(1) Japanese are very good with language, such that they only speak in Japanese and not English. Due to globalization, this is dying down but they are still striving to live purely on Japanese.
(2) Chinese only go shopping and visit "the most important" attractions. We, as Hong Kongers, visit places which are important but also of true meanings. Of course I am not saying that going to very famous places are not good, my arguement here lies in the appreciation ability.
(3) Good food! Well, Japanese food are not that fatty.
(4) Clean! Well, this is something even Hong Kong should learn. They never spit, they never litter but they don't have litter bins on the streets! Reason for this: ethical citizens!

Although the Japs did kill a lot of Chinese, we, as Chinese are acting as brutal as the Japs did to us many years ago. Chinese in foreign states are, mostly, quite misbehaved. Moreover, many Mainlanders think that they are "all that" and so they think money is the key. Note here I am not saying that money is not important but it definitely isn't the most.

Come on Chinese - let's all be a little bit humble as the Confucius thoughts always say that we are...

Still, counting down to my Japanese trip and really looking forward to flying with Cathay Pacific again. (no marketing means here!) :)