Racism From a White Guy in Singapore

No, this is not in the West. Not the US. Or any other Western country. This is Singapore, The most multi-racial country with most major religions represented living in harmony side by side, second to Malaysia, in Asia. It is composed of Chinese, Malays and Indians with a lot of Foreigners from the West. Its majority is Ethnic Chinese with its government mostly composed of Chinese-Malaysians. Few months ago, I also saw a woman from the West who told the driver of the bus she was on to go back to China, and the funny thing about it was that she was in China. The racism has become more blatant and rampant now than before. I felt it when I was back in the US. It's not as hidden as the way it was before. KINDNESS AND RESPECT ARE OUT. Just so everyone knows, I've encountered this kind of situation quite few times in the US, Canada and Europe. It would be a lot if I tell my stories. It's dehumanizing. It makes you less of a human being. It feels like you're an animal. For the most part, I remain calm and just smile. Somehow I remember my friend here telling me after going through the same thing in Europe, all you have to do is remain calm and do your best work. Because for the most part, they're all just words, and what you produce by doing your best work is what counts. Their words don't achieve anything.

I Don't Believe in Any Religion

I don't believe in any religion as a true religion. What matters is that people know compassion, empathy, kindness, respect and bevolence towards other human beings and to care more about their own path to enlightenment and self-improvement in order to have a harmonious and peaceful co-existence with everyone. To lay claim to the monopoly on truth and salvation (and that's what Christianity tends to focus on) is just exclusivity that results in a war, conflict and even ethnic cleansing that almost wiped out a lot of races in this world. And religion was even used to justify a lot of atrocities towards other human beings. It is about your actions and your behaviour that matter, not what club (religion, race, country you belong to) you belong to. Mind you, this is my own individualistic opinion based on my observation, my knowledge of world history and my experience traveling and experiencing different cultures and religions and as a person who was born and baptized as a Christian.

Experience Being In Los Angeles California USA After Living In China and Asia for So Many Years Now.

When I went to visit LA to see my Mom, the conversation I had with people seems to tend towards negativity. For example, the focus on the people I live with and the country I live in. As if they want to put me in a different reality, that's more imaginary than real. Well, I know my reality, not what you get from books, religions, politics, the media, the news or the Internet. I live it. I experience it. I interact with it. I touch it with my hands. I smell it with my nose. I see it with my eyes. I hear it with my ears. Not from a safe distance but right there upfront. A broad experience is what I have. I immerse myself in my own environment and fully experience everything from all sides with no judgement and with empathy. I don't let anything around me influence my own perception. For sure, I would rather prefer to be liked and to be surrounded by people with the same sensibilities as I do and as positive as I am. Anyway who cares about being liked? It's much better when people do things for you without expecting anything in return rather than just being liked. Negativity is such a poison that just consumes the mind and the way a person lives. On the other hand, positivity and empathy enrich a person to live with such harmony and peace of mind and makes you much more productive and beneficial to the society, the world. People should focus on how to become a better human being rather than focusing on other people or other things. The hatred, the jealousy, the judgemental attitude, the self-centered view of themselves (as if the world revolves around them and the place they consider their home and that they're better than others, either with their looks, intelligent level, social status, religion,etc). It's way too much. I could never ever live in that kind of environment. Life should be peaceful and enjoyed. These people should look at themselves and see themselves for what they truly are, imperfect creatures, who need to do better and to improve themselves, to become better human beings. I am glad that I am surrounded by people who share the same sensibilities as I do. Here's something I've learned about people. For the most part, so many people nowadays are self-righteous and have too much pride. And this makes them terrible human beings. You can never win an argument with them. As long as your statement, no matter how true it is, does not fit their own narrative, you will never win an argument. I just let go and tell them that it only matters to me if it directly affects me. More likely most stuff we have no control of, and if we do have the control, do you have the time and the energy for it instead of just talking about it, which is a waste of time? Has anyone seen anything change just by talking about it instead of doing something about it? Well, let me know. Well, at least when I want something or a change, I do something about it. Talk is cheap.

Vacation in Los Angeles California from Hangzhou China

After more than 4 Years of not visiting my Mom in Los Angeles CA, I was able to come and see her. While over here, I was able to Experience using the public transportation and should be able to do a vlog comparing the public transportation in China and the USA.

Go check my YouTube: www.youtube.com/christopherrevon

Comparison Between Hong Kong and Thailand.

Just like any other cities, there are a lot of things you can do in this city. Unfortunately this city is pretty much an urban jungle, so it doesn't have much nature, except for the parks. Definitely the city of Hong Kong wins that one with its 70 percent nature: beaches, mountains, islands, hiking trails, bike trails, parks, etc. But what HK does not have is a better street markets with street performers, delicious street food, handcrafted stuff, etc. Now Bangkok wins that one. As for nature, the whole country of Thailand definitely has great natural landscape, and it can give the city of Hong Kong a run for its money, but then again, it is an unfair match since Hong Kong is a city, and Thailand is a country.

I Finally Left Hong Kong

So after a year-and-a-half in the Hong Kong, I finally left. It's been a great experience. And I fell in love with the city of Hong Kong some more, the longer I stayed. But now, it's time for me to focus on what I really need to do. That is to resume doing my photography and film/video projects which I set out to do before the pandemic. I just had to put them on hold due to the pandemic. Now I have to complete them. And at the same time, keep on discovering and exploring places in the world and finally to be with someone I love.

I Am Leaving Hong Kong. Where to? That’s a Surprise.

Hong Kong is that city that's full of possibilities because it has everything, not just an urban landscape but 70 percent nature with more than 200 islands, beaches, mountains, countless hiking trails, bike paths, countless parks with a lot of amenities such as basketball courts, volleyball courts, football fields, some with skateboard parks, swimming pools, etc. I could never run out of subjects to film and photograph here so it is also a photographer's and filmmaker's paradise. I will definitely miss it, but I am sure I will come back at least as a tourist. I've actually visited this city so many times even before I started living here. For sure, as a resident, you discover more of this city than being a tourist. There's so much to explore and discover here. Now it is time for me to explore and discover what's out there in the world now. At least here in Asia or the rest of China, which I still have so much to explore and discover. Where do I go next? Make sure to follow, subscribe and like one of my social media channels to get updated.

Almost Time to Leave Hong Kong, Where Is My Next Destination?

The airfare now is quite pricey, about twice as much since the pandemic. In addition, I've accumulated more photography and film equipment, so that's an additional cost since I will definitely have an excess baggage limit when I fly or even when I take a high speed train or regular train. I might have to stop by Thailand first to store more stuff in my storage over there before I go on to my next destination. For sure, I always have a backup destination just in case the first destination doesn't go through. For sure, I probably won't go back to live in the US. If I go, it will be only for vacation, to visit my Mom. As long as I don't get kicked out of Asia (LOL), more likely I will try to stay here for good. It is just that permanent residency is not possible here. Just think I've been living here for more than eight years now. It's home now. I just need a real home base here, and since I have a storage in Thailand, that's probably my temporary home base 😆😆😆 as I continue my travel. I do know where my next destination is, but I will keep it as a secret for now. Not until I get my paperwork done for my visa and when I get there. Anything can change due to a lot of things such as visa issues, so that’s the reason I don’t say where I am going to be next. But for sure, wherever I end up, it will always be one hell of an adventure.

Writing a Screenplay About My Experience and Observation, Mixed with my Own Imagination, Living in Different Parts of Asia

I am now writing a script living in different parts of Asia. It is going to be a collection of stories based on my experience and observation with my own imagination thrown into the mix in order to make the stories much more creative and exciting with some lessons learned about the cultures as I lived and travelled in different parts of ASIA. This will be my future narrative feature project.

Now That Everything Seems to Be Going Back to Near Normal

Now that everything seems to be going back to near normal, I am now going to try to resume continuing my projects and my mission in life. I will also try to do more vlogging. It might not be about my daily life, but it would be more informative and of course, entertaining at the same time. The goal of this vlog is to reflect on my travel, photography, filmmaking and writing. I would also hope that it would break down the barriers to show that the world is one and should not be divided. To show a commonality among the different people of this world.

After Three Months of Tightened Covid-19 Restrictions Due to the 5th Wave of Infections, Hong Kong is Back to Near Normal Again

The vibrant city of Hong Kong is back to near normal again after three months of tightened Covid-19 Restrictions (with no lockdown) after being hit by the fifth wave brought on by the Omicron variant. Playgrounds, basketball, volleyball courts, football fields, skating rinks, beaches, gyms, beauty parlors, etc. are now open again. Dining in after 6 PM is allowed again. More than two people gathering is allowed again. Now the quarantine for fully vaccinated HK ID residents entering Hong Kong has been cut down to seven days. Lots of new shops, restaurants, etc are opening too. Now more people are out and about. When the fifth wave hit, lots of people volunteered to stay away from being in public places, and a lot of shops opted to close earlier than usual to fight the virus.

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Hong Kong

1) I love the urban landscape of the city of Hong Kong with its countless skyscrapers, both old and modern.

2) I love that it is a multicultural city since 5 percent of its population are foreigners.

3) I love that 70 percent of Hong Kong is nature with at least two hundred islands, lots of beaches, lots of mountains, lots of hiking trails, lots of parks with playgrounds and exercise machines for the elderly, lots of football fields, basketball courts, volleyball courts, skating tracks, public swimming pools and skateboard parks, so you can do a lot of outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking, windsurfing, mountain biking, sailing, camping, going to the beach, etc.

4) I love that you can get pretty much anywhere with its public transportation which I think is the best in the world since I can compare it to a lot of the cities I've lived in and visited in the US, Europe and Asia. It has the subway system (MTR), the double decker buses, the regular buses, the mini-buses, the light rail, the old trams and the taxis, which I think is much cheaper to ride than the ones back in the US.

5) It pretty much has all kinds of food here. Most of the restaurants from different countries are represented here, and if you go to the supermarket, a lot of its products are imported from all over the world. Most of the European, US, Korean, Japanese and other foreign products are available even in a regular supermarket. No need to go to a specialty supermarket with imported products.

6) No sales tax, no tipping. In addition, the income tax here are quite low compared to the US.

7) It is also a very safe city. Rarely do they have violent crimes here. Most crimes here are mostly petty crimes such as pickpockets. But based on my experience in which I have dropped or left something such as a photography equipment, someone would chase after me to either give it back to me or let me know about it.

8) Most local people here are very helpful, quite nice and sincere. Unlike in some other Asian countries, mostly Southeast Asia, they are only nice to you because you have something that they want. Actually there was only one instance in which I had a problem with a local person here, and that was rare. For the most part, most of the troubles I've had here were with another foreigner.

10) Another big thing I love about Hong Kong is convenience. They've got 7-11s and other convenience stores here, and they pretty much have everything you need, including wines, hard liquour and beer. You can even pay your phone bills and other bills over there. Not only that, restaurants and shops here are everywhere. You don't have to walk far to be able to buy most of what you need. And in addition, most major subway stops here have a shopping mall above them or next to them or below them if it is an elevated stop. Also most subway stations have stores in them such as takeout food places, pharmacies, some clothing stores, convenience stores, etc.

11) Also since Hong Kong is a very cosmopolitan city, it has a great nightlife, a great art and music scenes, great cultures, shopping, etc. You can never run out of things to do over here. Last but not the least, from here, since it is an international hub, it is easy to get anywhere from here with a lot of direct flights to most cities in the world. And the speed train system can get you to most cities here in China, but due to the pandemic, this is currently closed right now, but once everything is back to normal, it is nice to know that this is possible.

Hong Kong is an Ideal City for Me

When I leave Hong Kong, I will miss it a lot. I do think it is the most ideal city for me to live in. It It's got everything to offer and more. I've lived in Paris and stayed in London for a long time and even lived in different parts of the US, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Florida, Chicago and New York/New Jersey area. In addition, I've also lived in different cities here in Asia, including Bangkok, Seoul, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Kuala Lumpur. Definitely I have a lot of cities to compare it to. It is quite safe. People are quite helpful. There is no BS. They just do their best to be the best they can be and are mindful of others, not just themselves. It's got lots of beaches, mountains, hundreds of islands, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, beautiful parks. It is comprised of 70 percent nature. In addition, it has a lot of cultures, events, a great art and music scene, a great nightlife, extensive selections of food, great diversity of people with 10 percent foreign population. etc. And its urban landscape with hundreds of towering skyscrapers, both modern and old buildings, is the most awesome in the world.

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Hong Kong Has Become My Most Favorite City After Living in So Many Cities in North America, Europe and Here in Asia

I've visited and also lived in a lot of cities both in the US, Asia and Europe, and so far, this is the only city I know of which has a wide variety of topography compared to other cities. And that what makes Hong Kong special. First, because it has the most skyscrapers in the world, it is what you think of what a city should look like. Second, it has moutains, hills, islands (at least 200 of them) and beaches. And we're talking about a city, not a country. And most are accessible by public transportation. So just think how many outdoor activities you can do over here; in addition to the things you can do and events you can attend in its urban setting. So that's why so far, I have not been bored over here. I can definitely stay here as long as I can afford to do so, and as long as I do not get kicked out, but no, I need to travel for work and for my quest for adventure. But then I think when I leave Hong Kong and let's say, I move to another city I have never lived in. I will, for sure, compare that city to this city. Then maybe I will think to myself. "Damn, I should have never left. It is a lot more fun over there." But that is a risk I have to take to fully explore and discover the world we live in and learn a lot of things about different people, cultures, histories, other religions and philosophy, etc., the knowledge which you can never attain and experience through the media and the internet alone.