Train to China

Hong Kong is an interesting place . Its got to do with the strange mix of history and culture as it has been a british colony till 10 years back when it was handed over to China so it retains most of its britishness . Like Londoners in any weather , they are dressed perfectly everyday . The skyline also reflects the engineering learnings from London with the metro , waterways and taxi systems .
Walking through the lanes of Tsim Shat Tsui is amazing . The cleanliness never ceases to appeal . The long escalator that takes one down from Victoria heights to downtown through the streets of residences and restaurants is an interesting concept . The sound and light show on the islands harbour is great too . Disneyland is built on an island an hours drive from teh city and has its own share of chills and thrills . After having read Eisners Disney war , it was quite an experience . That the Chinese are hard working people can be made out from their gait - brisk and fast .
As you take the train to China , the world changes dramatically . For one , the immigration form in HongKong airport does has a tick box for 'media' in profession of traveler , but in China immigration their is no such column . I was carrying the South China Morning Post's Hong Kong edition to catch up on the Benazir assasination the day before . My travel agent pounced on me and pulled the paper away saying its illegal to read foreign newspapers . Next , as we walked from the Hong Kong side of the station to the Shenzen side in China , it was the general untidyness of the place they hit us - looked just like Mumbai . The bins were overflowing , the windows were broken , people dressed shabbily and walls had graffiti . Well , with over 2 billion people , thats' the best you can manage , I guess .
But , as you walk into windows of the world - that great park they have created that has all the important landmarks from all over the world in one park , you are absolutely amazed at the Chinese obsession with the art of 'copying' ! The Taj Mahal looks more magnificient here than in Agra , so do the Eiffel Tower and Niagara Falls .The couple frolicking in the bloated balloon on the waters in the park was another interesting innovation .
'We have been noones colony , so we have great pride ' said Christy , my guide , smiling her cheery smile .
But , food was an issue everywhere - bland and non-spicy .
The best Chinese food you get is in Mainland China in Mumbai !