I am a veteran of family vacations: Tokyo, Seoul, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Nanjing, Chicago, Florida, Shanghai, Macao, Quebec City, Washington.etc,
But there are 3 cities my heart lingers on: Toronto, Hong Kong, and Montreal.
No matter where I am, I try to present myself as culturally different.
Attitudes in Montreal:
Being at McGill made me realize how much there is in the world for me to experience. It makes no sense, but it's like I'm trying to impress others who I perceive as exotic. As I'm surrounded by people who are racially different than me, I form much of my identity from Hong Kong influences. Am I really to represent Canadian culture in a place where everyone is either more canadian or new to canada?
Montreal is a very dynamic, a bustling hub of culture and activity. The city with more restaurants per capita than anywhere else, it's basically culinary heaven if you have the funds to support it.
Honestly, the cost of living in terms of food here is much higher than anywhere else. I break the bank by buying food that is exclusively on sale.
And let's not forget about the nightlife. any young adult can find reason to party it up, any day of the week. St. Laurent, Crescent Street, you've got it all.
Attitudes in Toronto:
Born and raised in Scarborough, this is where everything I am today came from.
Speaking of Montreal culture, my identity in Toronto is now formed around my Montreal influences.
With my friends and family, I present myself as more "party" and "prestigious". Even though I'm not a fan of drinking or the prestige of McGill.
Specifically, I will talk about Scarborough cause dt Toronto is not the same.
Scarborough is a tame little place. We have great restaurants, great people, and just everything you need to survive as an asian canadian.
Lacking in international flair, but got its very own distinct character.
Attitudes in Hong Kong:
Thanks for reading up to here. Because here we reach the important point.
Having spent so little time, I'm not exactly entitled to include it in my hometowns, right?
Thats why I was so desperate to living in HK this summer. I wanted to truly be in touch of the place I so often identify with. It's a place of miracles for me. The superb subway system, the insane selection of places to eat, the very definition of concrete jungle. And I want all of it.
Living alone would be a whole new HK experience for me. If I ever wanted to move back there someday, this is what I'll be getting. 9-5 hours, cooking meals, dealing with fancy clothes in scorching heat.
Aretha Chan signing off for blog initiation. See you back here in a month.
