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Hong Kong
A while ago a friend of mine told me she felt NYC was slow. “Huh?” was my logical reply followed by “Compared to what?” She retorted “Hong Kong!” Naturally I was intrigued to hear such an assertion and took it upon myself to investigate this blasphemy. I made the call and off I was to the Far East.
Cathay Pacific made things quite comfortable for a 15+ hour flight and got things going on the right foot. The seats were comfortable (having a full row to myself wasn’t bad either), the movies were plentiful and the food was consistent. This was definitely the way to go!
Upon my arrival, me and my comrade checked into the Empire Hotel then hit the ground running (thanks to the complimentary cell phone). The first stop was the infamous Big Buddha. The train and tram ride to our destination was an experience in itself. For one, let’s just say you better have your Octopus card (card used to gain entrance to the train and purchase other items) in hand when entering the train station or get ready to be shoved to the side…literally. Also the tram ride was a leap of faith in itself due to the blanket of fog that greeted us and hid the big man from our view. Nonetheless we were able to see a lot more inside of Big Buddha but were forbidden to take pictures. So you’ll just have to take my word for it.
Speaking of sights, one of the more spectacular views in Hong Kong can be found at The Peak and in Madame Tussauds. I will readily admit that it would be best to take this in at night but the two-hour wait wasn’t my cup of tea. Especially when battling the phenomenon of C.L.S (chronic line skipping) which plagued many of our destinations. It was absolutely necessary to keep it moving and your body ready for contact at all times! Personal space was at a minimum but it was well worth the journey.
Hong Kong is also home to a vast array of great eats! From traditional Chinese dishes in Yum Cha to Colombian cuisine that will have you scraping your plate in 33 Cafe y Mucho Mas.
There is so much more that I could mention but I need to save some things for the book! So to answer my friend’s NYC slow comment. I can honestly plead the fifth.
By the way did I mention the Year of the Monkey celebrations happened to be taking place while I was there and I met the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders?
Almost every year for the past 6 years and on the same day, I’ve posted the same pic of me in the hospital during my temporary and untimely demise in 2015. A few weeks after I was back to “normal”, I asked Eric “Why’d you take the pics?” And he said, “I knew you would want to write about it if you lived.” Eric was right. Eric was often right and Eric always had my best interest at heart. I am going to miss my friend.
You ever meet someone and become friends immediately?! Well this was not the case with Eric. Before he was my manager at Morgan Stanley, I would often see this 6’4″, giant white guy walk up to the only black woman at work, say something then walk away without any hint of human emotion. Naturally I thought he was a jerk until I asked her “Yo, is that dude bothering you?” She laughed and proceeded to tell me he was a great person, which I ultimately got to experience first hand. Little did I know this Italian from Staten Island was more Brooklyn than most Brooklynites.
Eric was not with the shits!! If there were ever someone who lived their life in direct, honest and no uncertain terms, that would be Eric. He would ask me questions at work like “Why are the other consultants making more money than you?” I knew the answer to that question and so did he. Eric then proceeded to increase my salary by 15K. After arguing with all our managers that “You need to hire Alfred!”, they eventually did 1 year prior to the 2015 incident. In the hospital, one of my friends asked me, “What if you didn’t have health insurance when this happened?” I would be in debt for the rest of my life is the obvious answer. I still am in debt for the rest of my life but at least, it is to those who made sure I had a more enjoyable life and for that, I will gladly repay.
My mom loved to tell me the story of how she met Eric. After they told her I was going to be in the ICU for some time, she told the doctor “Well I’m not going anywhere.” She then hears a voice from that back of the room that says “Well I’m not going anywhere either!” That was Eric and in true form, he was at that hospital every single day until I was discharged.
Eric passed away in December 2021 of stage 4 cancer. After feeling faint on his way to my bbq, he went to get checked out and was diagnosed. During the past 5 years, Eric lost his mom, twin brother and dad. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have felt like but I’m glad that pain he was feeling is no more.
From being my manager to my business partner, writer, book editor, artistic director, and most importantly, my friend, I am going to miss you MC Krispy E a.k.a “Enrique Pollazo!” And although you told me Enrique means Henry in Spanish and not Eric, it was too late!
Sidebar. The day I was discharged, while everyone was deciding what was best for me, no one had remembered that I would need clothes in order to leave the hospital. Eric shows up (unasked) with all the clothes I had on the day I coded, laundered and ready to go. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve friends like this but i need to keep doing it! Sidebar complete.
Rest in Peace Eric. “Be Good.”
I had the distinct pleasure of participating in a panel discussion on writing your first book, presented by the Harlem chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Alongside Jim St. Germain, Author – A Stone of Hope: A Memoir and Dr. Keneshia Nicole Grant, Author – The Great Migration and the Democratic Party: Black Voters and the Realignment of American Politics in the 20th Century. We opined on pain points, benefits and strategies regarding our inaugural voyages into authorship. Feel free to watch for your self and I hope this provides some insight to all those looking to make the same voyage. Enjoy!
