Made in Japan, Outsourced Globally

While Devrim was at a high-profile conference (they put him up at the Sheraton, a room with a view) and Kirk hopped on a 24-hour train ride from Beijing with 2 drunken, smokin' Chinese guys, I was slightly stressed at the thought of a coming procurement strategy conference and anxiety of where I would possibly go with the Peace Corps next year.



Kirk called me on Sunday afternoon, while I was eating dim sum with some Aiesecers. We reunited, strolled around Kowloon (a.k.a. the 'Dark side'), and became tourists at Victoria Peak. Kirk and I discussed the importance of clean air in China. He could not get enough of how clear the air was in Hong Kong, opposed to 5m visibility Beijing - and here I was complaining about automobile fumes and Shenzhen's industrial pollution. I guess it's all relative.

Somehow, we ended up on the Dark side again, eating tandori chicken, chicken tikka masala, and mutton vindaloo in a shady Indian restaurant inside Chunking Mansion. If you are wondering, yes, it's where the movie "Chunking Express" comes from. Highly recommended Wong Karwei film, endorsed by Quentin Tarentino. I watched it a couple years ago in Berkeley, when I didn't have the slightest inkling that I would end up in Hong Kong. Now I want to see the movie to see if I have walked through the same locations - the dingy bar, where the assassin made his fake passport, and the sceptic playground in a concrete jungle.

In stark contrast, we visited Devrim's posh suite at the Sheraton, where we reminisced on photos of long ago. Erica and Devrim had mutual acquaintances, causing all of us to genuinely admire the network of Aiesec all over again. It had to be celebrated with San Miguel beer - kingcan, of course. Beer cans in Sheraton suite - the juxtaposition was a reminder that Aiesecers can grow out of old jobs but can't escape the habits. Devrim and I cannot hide our bewilderment of corporate treatment - "you mean I don't have to sleep with 3 other bodies on this bed??? Company expenses???" Life is sweet.

After a grueling day of strategy and discussions, I cut short on the 12-course Chinese dinner (everyone was full by the 6th dish any way) to meet up with Erica and Kirk. With Kirk complaining about his throat and wanting tea, we came to the brilliant conclusion of going to Kasabah - where we smoked some sheeshas and had some excellent mojitos (forget the tea). Then we top off the night with a trip to 7-11. Old habits die hard.

And that's my version of the adventure. In his peculiar circumstance, Kirk will be back in HK in 30 days. Devrim will continue to Asia-hop. And I will kind of sit tight in HK until the end of February. Courtney will be taking off to Madrid on her new assignment - very very happy for her. I really don't need to reiterate - but it's damn cool for us all to cross paths again.

p.s. - Africa or Eastern Europe. Somebody give me a sign (or more details).