It's Wednesday. I Must Still Be In Hong Kong

Well, it's day 2 in Hong Kong, certainly the most unique city I've ever visited. If you've never seen Hong Kong, the best way I can describe it as what you would have if you took New York City and stuck it where Miami should be, and then let Chinatown take over. It's a relatively clean city, even in the poorer sections, someone is always out in the street sweeping up trash.
The crowds are unbelieveable, and, I'm told that this is nothing compared with what I'll find in Shanghai. That worries me because not only am I a hypochondriac, but I'm a claustrophobic hypochondriac with a tendency to hyperventilate in crowds. I narrowly escaped causing a scene on the airplane. I felt so pinned in that, at one point during the flight, I started to think that being forcibly removed from the plane would be preferable to sitting in that cramped little space. If I had been abolutely sure that no straight jackets would be used, I would have caused quite a stir. So, we'll see how I handle this Shanghai thing in a few days.
A friend, who is on this trip with me, happened to mention that the Chinese view light-complexioned people as very attractive. With my pasty-white body, the Chinese must think I'm gorgeous. That may be why last night at least fifteen women approached me and asked me if I wanted to go out on a date. I declined them all, I must say.
The street markets here are fascinating. As the sun goes down, the locals gather in the street to shop, visit, and eat very unusual-looking things. Various merchants set up their wares. Some simply pile their merchandise on a blanket lying in the street. Others are set up under tends. They have microphones to attract the crowds to their booth. It's kind of like the state fair, except with everyone speaking Chinese, they're a little more understandable than the hawkers at the fair.
I was drawn to one booth by the sound of a flute. "Ah," I thought to myself, "I'm going to find something ancient and wondrous at this booth, perhaps jade statuettes or other treasures of the Orient." Turns out the guy was selling used computers...and playing the flute at the same time. Those Chinese are talented.
As I was walking through the market place, I saw a crowd gathered. Again, I did some thinking to myself. "Oooh," I thought, "perhaps the folks are looking at a group of Chinese acrobats." Indeed the crowd seemed to be really enjoying the show, whatever it was. And, I hurried towards the throng to find out. No acrobats or jugglers or mimes. Just an old man yelling at a group of police officers who were trying to calm him down. The police, all dressed in those little uniforms and hats that you see in the movies, were very polite to the angry man...very restrained. Not a one of the police officers was clubbing him. I stood around for a while, thinking maybe I'd see a good old-fashioned clubbing. Nothing ever happened. They sure aren't making Communists like they used to.
Well, I gotta get out and see more of this strange, new world. Hopefully, I'll talk to you tomorrow. Unless that Communist crack ruffles a few feathers.