Musings of an Idiot

One my second or third day in Hong Kong - I can't remember which, I was feeling pretty disconnected from everything because it was hard striking up conversations with people {without knowing the local language} and I was pretty much roaming everywhere on my own checking out places. At the ferry terminal I was the only Indian in the crowd and it definitely attracted some stares from curious eyes. I boarded the ferry to Lamma Island and as soon as I settled into my seat I saw another Indian walk in. Since I was so disconnected - my first thought was 'Please don't sit next to me', as I didn't want to engage in a conversation. I held my breath as he looked at me and then walked past. As soon as I relaxed, I heard a thick south indian accent from the seat behind me asking me if I was an Indian.

I grimaced and started conversing with the guy. It was hard work trying to follow what he was saying in his very thick accent and I would ask him to repeat what he said again, to figure it out. He mistook that for me not being able to hear properly and raised his voice a few decibels to the point pretty much everyone on the lower deck of the ferry could hear what he was saying. The conversation was civil to start off with and we exchanged information about where we were from and as to how we ended up in this moment in time. It was hard work talking to him as I had to crane my neck around to be able to speak to him through the gap between the seats. I told myself not to be a wuss and bear the pain since I was finally having a proper conversation with someone.

The guy said he used to teach yoga for corporates in HK. He was contracted to an american company and was earning US$5000 a month before they decided to cut down on benefits to the staff and let go of his services. Since he couldn't afford to live in HK without earning a living - he decided to shift base to Lamma Island where he could live a rural lifestyle and focus on learning new skills like massage. He was wondering out loud if it would be better to return to India since it was a cheaper place. I was curious and asked him what kind of massage and the conversation was all downhill from there.

He said he had started practicing tantra massage and body massage. I was thinking 'Oh dear, here we go.' And soon enough he was boasting about his exploits with women of different nationalities. I sunk a few head lengths in my seat as I realized that his booming voice was being heard by everyone on the lower deck and suddenly I was giving everyone the pleasure of stereotyping all Indians {including me} as sleazy, sex-crazed maniacs. The guy was oblivious to all social norms I suppose because he carried on talking in booming voice. Noticing that I was silent for a while and no conversation was happening between the gap between the seats he tried to judge if I was listening or not by saying 'You are from New Zealand yeah? I've seen kiwi chicks. They are chubby. You know too fat.' I turned around and through the gap in the seat I replied back with a hint of disgust and anger 'Oh yeah. They are like that but nothing you can do about it right?'.

I turned back to the book I had in my hand and pretended that I was reading it. That was pretty much the end of that conversation and the guy didn't speak any further. When the ferry neared Lamma Island he tried to strike up conversation by pointing to me where his village was but I didn't really encourage him. As the ferry docked I let most of the people disembark - including that guy, before getting down from the ferry. And that was the last I saw of him. Thankfully.