DDay -17:

Observation #15: Although most Americans and Westerners have become extremely obsessed with eradicating germs and work hazards, I've noticed that the local people in Hong Kong don't seem too bothered about health and safety.  Before I take a stroll through Wan Chai or any other local market, I make sure that I have already eaten and therefore won't lose my appetite (but I do run the risk of throwing my food back up) and that I have something that produces a pleasant but potent odor to rub under my nose that will counteract the absolutely grotesque stench emulating from the shops.

Formerly living fish, chicken, duck, various insects, amphibians and reptiles dangle from the fishing lines along the store fronts and bask in the heat lamps and humidity.  "Oh, that's safe,"  I think as I carry on briskly walking. I only go there to get cheap gifts and aloe vera plants.  I won't buy fruits or vegetables there because I've seen those consumables lounging around with the rank, rotten animal carcases.  No wonder meat in Hong Kong smells so bad.  They mix seafood, chicken and beef together in the coolers (if there are coolers) so the flavors and the odors kind of simmer together all day. Yum....

Restaurants receive their food/egg/milk deliveries pretty early in the day while they are still closed so that night's menu sits on the sidewalk or in the alley for hours sunbathing in the Hong Kong heat.  I'm surprised that more people here don't die of food poisoning.  Honestly though, the higher end eateries are usually safe but if you're ever in Hong Kong, you might want to steer clear of the local cafes unless you have a really strong stomach or a death wish.

Work place safety is equally lax and some blue collar workers are either unconcerned or unaware about how close to death they come each day.  We have seen workers balancing on the outside edges of windowsills while cleaning or repairing the roof, electricians who dismantle lights and wires without turning off the power (sometimes with wet hands!!!) and walking street cleaners who refuse to give way to the double decker buses.  It never fails to amaze me when I see people here that are still alive and well after taking such reckless risks with their lives.  Some of them truly seem like they are a walking time bomb or an accident waiting to happen.

I have never been anywhere in the Western world where I've felt that the people just can't be bothered to use even the tiniest amount of caution in order to protect their own lives.  But then again, I never see Hong Kongers bungee jumping, bull riding or sky diving like westerners.  Maybe Asians just like to get their kicks their own way.  I guess everybody needs an adrenaline rush once in a while.