Oh, the places I go and how I get there

Public transportation is not used widely in small cities in the United States. Of course, I had used it back in college in Chicago at least for a little while until I got my own car. Moving to Hong Kong, I knew that I would not own or drive a car. This is a good thing for me since they drive on the “wrong side” of the road. It is hard enough to remember which way to look when I cross the road.

So how do I get around? There are several ways to get to places. The top three are walking, the MTR, and busses, and sometimes a combination of all three.

Walking: Our neighborhood is set up to be convenient for shopping. I regularly walk easily to various markets. It takes me under an hour to go to buy household items at a small variety store, the bakery, a meat market, a familiar grocery store, and the wet market (a huge farmers’ market). Many of the clerks or service people are beginning to recognize me. I have a specific place in the wet market where I buy bananas, another where I get vegetables, and another where I get other fruit. I have learned to buy meat and cold items last so that they do not thaw out on the walk home. I walk just about a mile to do this shopping and I carry everything in bags to my apartment. I go almost every day so that I do not have to carry too much. I cannot imagine trying to do shopping like I used to at Sam’s Club. Would you be able to walk and carry all your groceries home?

MTR: This is short for Metro Transit Railway. At least I think that is what it stands for. I cannot confirm this on their website. Everyone just calls it the MTR. It is Hong Kong’s system of subways/trains. We live only a minute walk away from entrance C on the Tsuen Wan Line (red line). I can almost make that walk without an umbrella in the rain staying under the eaves of the stores and the MTR entrance overhang. (I still take an umbrella. As someone told my husband, “You can leave your wallet at home but don’t ever forget your umbrella.”) It is two flights of stairs down and to get through the turn styles I use my Octopus card (I will explain that later, but it is a way of paying for my travel). I take another flight of stairs down to get on the train. If I get on this line heading for Central, it is only 5 stops before I get off to get to Asia Lutheran Seminary; then I would walk about 4 blocks through the “home depot” section of town. They have stores that all offer a variety of home improvement items. I turn at the lighting store. I walk past plumbing and flooring stores.

Just a quick note about crossing the streets. Most people do not go unless there is a green person (see picture). The cross walks not only have a green or red person but they also have a beeping noise that goes faster when you are supposed to walk. I find myself trying to walk to the beat. One would think that if they drive on the left that they would walk on the left also but I have not found this to be true. There does not seem to be clear walking rules for which side to stay on or go up and down stairs.

Getting to other places on the MTR is pretty easy. I simply swipe my Octopus card when I enter the station and when I leave the station. It automatically deducts the amount I used. If I go farther it is more expensive but not too much. The most expensive train was returning from the airport, but even that one is under $10 US. It is a colorful journey for us to go to one of our local IKEA stores; red line toward Central – 4 stops; change at Prince Edward Station to the green line going toward Tiu Keng Leng – 2 stops; get off at Kowloon Tong (I like this station because it has a big mall attached) and then change to the blue line going north to Sha Tin. We exit the station and walk about 9 minutes to the store.  This takes about 45 minutes. Remember we have to carry back all that we buy on this trip.

We usually stand on the trains and hang on to handles or bars nearby. Sometimes we get to sit but it is usually too crowded and not very comfortable. These are seats made for much smaller people. I am learning that certain stations at certain times are very crowded.

Buses: I am not sure how many different bus lines run in Hong Kong. There are two lines of double-decker buses and two smaller bus lines. We have 2 separate apps on our phones that can help us find the right bus at the right time from where we are in the city. There are several places to stand to wait for the buses so you have to just find the right spot for that bus. They are usually cheaper and take less time to get to where you need to go but not always. The double-decker bus has seats in the back half of the bus and room to stand in the front. If you have to be on the bus for a few stops it’s best to head up to the top level and sit near the front. It is a great view but a little terrifying the first few times because you are driving on the wrong side of the street and turning very differently. Everything is clean and air conditioned!

We can pay for most of our travel and many other things with our Octopus card. Many stores take Octopus cards as payment. We can add money conveniently at each station in 100s and 50s in Hong Kong Dollars. I can use it for busses, trains, trolley cars, ferries, and to pay my electric bill  at the local 7-Eleven. I can even buy frozen meat at the HCTV mall discount store.

There is a old style trolley car on Hong Kong island but we have not tried this yet. It is open air but temperatures are still way too hot here for us. We like our air conditioned trains and buses. We have also used the ferry system to get across to Hong Kong island. My hope is to use that ferry to go explore some of the other islands when it cools off a bit.

Now that I know where I am going it is fun to finally be able to be aware of the people. I try not to use my phone on the train or bus system (everyone else seems to be on their phones). I stick out. People notice me. Some people will smile and be friendly; others try to avoid me. I have many opportunities to meet new people if I just knew a little more of the language. I have much work yet to do to learn more of the language.

This is just how I have learned to get around in Hong Kong. Last week I went on trip farther north. I had to learn how to get through two different airports and how to get around in a new city.  These are stories that will have to wait for another post. God is good. He keeps me safe and in His care while I am traveling. He gives me strength to continue to walk and learn. Please pray for me as I continue to learn and make trips up north.