Symphony of Lights in Hong Kong

May I just say that I tried to make a guide of what to do or where to go in Hong Kong today but halfway through my first day here I felt that many have done that before and doing it again is somewhat less effective? So instead I’ll share something that has made me think about something for tonight.

For the past three years, it has been a tradition that I go overseas during my birthday month. It started in Bangkok two years ago and Singapore just last year. 

Everything that has happened the past few weeks has been a life changing experience and I felt this break was needed more than ever.

I hardly slept the night before the trip because of the early flight. To pass time I watched again A Clockwork Orange by Stanley Kubrick. I didn’t sleep either during the short flight but I didn’t feel exhausted at all because I was excited. 

Upon arrival at Hong Kong, I felt a certain solace which I feel when I’m in a foreign land. Hong Kong has many people, both visitors and its residents. Despite the aloofness in my aura I like being surrounded by people and in this busy metropolis I get to experience that. It gives me a certain kind of inner peace being in a crowd and observing people. 

There was no itinerary for our first day and after a power nap at the hotel we wandered and strolled through the area near the hotel. 

The Avenue of Stars was near our area so we went there and walked through the path walk in the harbor. We waited for the Symphony of Lights show in the harbor where a larger crowd was starting to assemble to watch the show. To those who are not aware what the Symphony of Lights show is, it is a spectacle in the Harbor where a musical score is played while the buildings on the other side danced in synchronicity with their lights.

What was interesting tonight to my surprise was the playing of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 as part of the musical score. It reminded me of A Clockwork of Orange and its allusion to my life now. In the movie, Symphony No. 9 was Alex’s (the main character) favorite song but unfortunately during his treatment in the Ludovico method (negative conditioning method where violence was associated with pain and disgust by subjecting the patient with hours of violent movies) was used as the musical score during his torment. Thus, he was conditioned to associate the music with pain and torture. Indirectly the score - by being associated with the torment- desensitized his humanity - his freedom to choose.

That night in the midst of dancing lights and whilst listening to Symphony No. 9 I was in deep thought. I have become Alex in a way and has danced with my Symphony. I have asked myself, what has become my Symphony No. 9 so far? To what music have I desensitized myself in a way?

To be perfectly honest, one night of reflection would not answer my questions. But one thing is for sure, the Symphony is of my making. The Symphony has always been there and I have listened too keenly that it became my torment. The Symphony has always been me. But, to be perfectly fair with myself also, I also realized the music has faded slowly. It is there though, enough to keep me grounded but not too loud to swallow me whole.

The dance of the lights has stopped but the night went on. Hong Kong is alive especially in the dark and glimmer of skyscrapers. We went home with the right amount of enthusiasm for the coming days of fun and adventure.

If you feel I deserve it, I would gladly appreciate the love by sharing this post and/or commenting.

Cheers from Hong Kong!