Level 8

"What does that mean?" I ask, still half asleep. "It means it's too dangerous to go outside. There's no work or school today." my house mate says. "Really? Then why are you getting ready for work?" I quiz. "Just because Hong Kong is closed doesn't mean the rest of Asia is!" he shoots back. My first Typhoon Level 8.  I had heard all about Hong Kong's infamous Black Rain and Typhoon warnings but I was really curious to see what all the fuss was about.

Splashing water on my face, I lumber downstairs to the apartment foyer, I'm still wearing my PJs. I say good morning to the concierge and begin looking for any clues that might suggest today is no ordinary day. To my disappointment the glass doors aren't boarded up, there's no carnage outside, no Mary Poppins impersonators, no stash of non-perishable goods, not even a security guard to warn people about the perils outside. The sky is unusually darker, wait a minute, why is the concierge even in this early? Then I see it, the one difference. There, in the middle of the glass door is an A4 laminate sign confirming what I had heard earlier. Category 8 Typhoon.

So, back to my question. What does Level 8 Typhoon mean? Like with most things in society we rate weather conditions based on a scale. Rain in Hong Kong is done by colours (Black, Red and Amber) the typhoon system is a number between one and ten. One being good, ten being bad and eight being the level that deems it too dangerous to be outdoors. I stick my head the door. It feels a little breezier, perhaps even a little warmer than usual.

Deciding I had nothing better to do I head back upstairs, get dressed and head to work. People here in Hong Kong really take the whole "no work" thing seriously. It's like a ghost town. I peer down the street, there's not a single car and I cross the road without paying attention to the traffic lights. There's the odd person walking to work, majority of them are expats who are in walking distance to work. The atmospheric conditions aren't bad, the clouds are ominous and it's ridiculously dark but other than some wind it's fine. I guess the Hong Kong Government doesn't want to take any risks with Tropical Cyclone Nesat.

Work is just as quiet, only the traders, couple of the Middle Office and a few support guys sit in the office. I ask them why they've bothered to come into work. "I have nothing to do at home. I'd probably just sit in front of the PC, figure I might as well come in and do some work. Plus it's free lunch whenever there's a level 8".

Little Lion Man

Oddly enough, I still look forward to work each day, which means one of two things, either I'm enjoying work, or, I'm not really working. Both are questionable but I really hope it's the former, then again it has only been 7 weeks. Now, as each day passes, the tag of being the 'new guy' slowly disappears and I can no longer plead ignorance or use the excuse of unfamiliarity. I'm expected to know.

The work learning curve exponentially surges on and there has not been a day when I've not learnt something new. Despite becoming more attuned to the processes and the mounting responsibilities I still find juggling it all a major headache.

Previously, my old company was very liberal in getting things done, there was freedom and if something needed to be done, you as an individual could go out and make the changes. Now being apart of management, there's a lot more (I don't want to say it) bureaucracy and process control. I am slowly becoming more used to the procedure and learning to let go of the fact if there's something that needs to be done, I need to tell somebody to do it as opposed to getting my own hands dirty. Still, it feels strange when I look at my business card. That's me, that's what I do?

"Take all the courage you have left. Wasted on fixing all the problems you made in your head" - Mumford & Sons

Absolutely Rental

When it comes to the priorities of settling down in a new country I would say occupation or a steady income is probably the most important. Coming in at a close second would be accommodation. This is where I still feel very dishevelled or very uncomfortable.

Waking each morning from a couch and living from a suitcase is no means a settled lifestyle. In fact, I feel about as comfortable as I imagine the UBS Rogue Trader felt the moment he found out about the Swiss Franc ceiling. Not to say that the accommodation hasn't been anything short of first class. I've had a huge living room, a cushy leather couch, broadband internet, a custom-made sheep rug and a massive 55" TV at my disposal. It's just I feel I've over welcomed my stay. Overstayed by six months. I have been here since the beginning of April! April, that was almost 2 seasons ago! That has got to be some record of dossing. I can already see all the chiropractors salivating at the thought of my mangled spine. It's not just my spine, think about the actual people who I'm staying with, I've become apart of the furniture.

Which probably makes you wonder, why haven't I moved out yet? Well, that's a very good question. Which is probably summed up best by describing the current Hong Kong Property Market. Shit. Succinct and deliberate. The market is so inflated it has forced buyers back into the rental market, which of course is saturated with tenants and a huge deficiency of properties. Basic supply and demand suggest that the prices can only do one thing, that is go up. Properties will appear and disappear in the market within a matter of hours. I might receive a call in the morning "I have a place which I think is perfect for you, do you want to view it this evening?" only to receive a follow up call a couple of hours later "Sorry, it was just leased, I'll keep looking for you". I originally had had an idea of what budget and what I could expect in return based on friend's experiences in the last year. However, speaking with property agents it appears prices on rental market have increased in the last 12 months - in some cases more than 25 percent!

With a budget and a will I have engaged the rental scene, viewing apartments in the Central, Mid-Levels and Sheung Wan area. This region of Hong Kong is extremely popular with foreigners, with a huge proportion of expat tenants occupying the high density area. Three weeks in and I've seen a lot of places but nothing that I can comfortably call home. I didn't really experience this in London as I was always flat-sharing, but Hong Kong is a different beast. Price per square foot, space efficiency rating, club facilities and city views are all factors in determining how much you will pay. I've seen Studios, 1 bedders, 2 bedders, walk-ups, tiny kitchens with a 1 stove elements, Hong Kong style wet-kitchens and bedrooms that barely fit a double bed. It makes London look spacious, it makes Australia look wasteful.

It's hard not to feel discouraged after seeing so many incompatible places yet I continue to arrange viewings each night after work. According to agents an average person will see anywhere between 5-10 places before they decide to sign the contract. I have seen at least 40 different places and don't feel like I'm getting close. The agents always try the hard sell saying that my budget and requirements aren't aligned. I give a non-committed answer and tell them that I'll think about it knowing that a decision has already been made. I figured if I'm going to be there for a year I might as well wait.

Am I too picky? Am I looking for something that doesn't exist? Does the thought of commitment cloud my judgement? These are questions I often ask myself, usually directed at relationships as opposed to property - uh, at least I'm consistent. Until then, I continue with the viewings and get comfortable with the idea of sleeping on the couch for a little bit longer ...