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Lamma-zine Blog contribution by ChuckM:
Responding to a gentle nudge (Oooomph!) from Lamma-Gung, I've been thinking about writing down my thoughts of Lamma Island, the good folks who live there, and this web site.
Here's my golden opportunity to irk & tease just about everyone and get myself run out of town even before I arrive.
Before I dive in, I should mention that my interest in Lamma was sparked by a current resident, whom I’ve met here in HongCouver quite by accident. Although my interest in Asia and things Asian had been greatly heightened by a job transfer from Canada's east coast to the west coast, I had never given any thought to actually living in the region. Now I dream of the day when I can perhaps afford to spend part of each year on Lamma... just as soon as I win the lottery.
OK, so I started out imagining Lamma as some sort of expat paradise on the outskirts of Hong Kong, where my severe lack of language skills might not be such a hindrance. It has picturesque hillside villages, lots of fresh air, no streets or vehicle pollution, a relatively small population of friendly folks, is close enough to Central as need be, has scads of gourmet eateries and fun pubs, is blessed with clean paths, almost zero crime, meandering countryside paths, and is as carefree as a paradise can be. Oh, and it has its own 'Magical Spinney Quixotine Thing'.
Well, I got some of it right, did I?
My daily routine now starts with a read through the Lamma-zine Blog and the forums. So, how does Lamma appear to these foreign eyes despite all the weird things I have read about in this website? I herewith offer a few observations as seen through my morning caffeine haze...
It appears that a feeling of community and family can be found in the Lamma expat gang. Even though I am not part of your community, I get the impression that the denizens of this web site can be a close-knit bunch at times, despite the arguments. Perhaps it's a result of the normal human tendency to circle the wagons when living as a minority in a foreign land. On the other hand, perhaps misery loves company.
Not having been exposed to the Fight Club yet, it's possible I'm being really naive. Still, it seems a great place to raise children in a multicultural setting. I guess I'm too late to have picked up the impression of it being a 'hippie haven'.
Too bad I can't read the Chinese discussions, because I'd probably benefit from a very different perspective of the community.
I get a distinct feeling that there is a much higher than average proportion of artistic talent on Lamma than in most places. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Lamma seems to be the starting point for an above-average number of stage bands. As for me, I couldn't draw a straight line with a ruler and I can't hold a tune in a bucket, so I guess my talent for building computers and web sites will have to do. (Hey, Lamma-Gung, care to sponsor me for a job in HK? LOL!) I'm mightily impressed with the photographic talent displayed in the forums. Guy Miller, and lately Harry Li, have me waiting each day for what's coming next and wishing I knew how to find the shutter button on a camera.
Part of the fun of reading forum entries is the occasional extreme topic drift. More than once I have been left with a very large grin as the original topic is run roughshod in all directions. And let's be honest, where else could discussions of gourmet food be derailed by talk of fresh dog's eggs and complaints about peeing out the back of the opera tent?
And speaking of gourmet food... all these reviews of the restaurants and pubs frequented by the Gweilo population has me a bit concerned at times. Reputations seem to go up and down like toilet seats. Does this mean I might have to learn to cook for myself? Ugh!
Aaahh... politics! It would appear that Lamma is almost as well blessed with political shenanigans as we are here on the 'left coast' of Canada. I have the feeling that Lammadonna elicits almost as many different opinions as there are people living there. And it's quite wonderful to see that my part of the world is not the only place occasionally blessed with political inertia that would make a tree sloth anxious. By the way, would getting into the concrete mixing business be a good career move on Lamma?
Characters I just gotta meet, in no particular order ... Nick the Bookman, Lamma-Gung, of course, Granola Eater, Beanburglar, Fortune Chan, Lammadonna, Zep, Alan, Daffyd, Guy Miller, and too many others to list.
I could ramble on about a few more things, but you would be bored to tears. I must say that Lamma.com.hk appears to be very unique and nicely focused on its community. Once in a while an outsider like me will chime in with something inane, but you kind folks have shown lots of tolerance. I certainly haven't lost my enthusiasm for visiting some day despite the giant killer wasps, huge creepy-crawley things, hordes of weekend tourists, lack of 4am ferries and no 'premanent' helipad yet.
Oh, and is it Pinky Chan I should contact about renting an upscale stone cottage?
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