Events of the Day

It's October, i.e. trade show month. So yesterday, I went to Kenfair's 13th Hong Kong International Toys & Gifts Show & 12th Asian Gifts, Premium & Household Products Show (my theory is that because Chinese people have standardized names to range between two and four Chinese characters, they like to make up for their egos by making up names for companies and events that take up at least one entire line).

I genuinely believe even our government has lost count of the number of trade shows held in Hong Kong each year. The notion of quality over quantity simple does not exist in this city. I'd say 90% of the exhibitors are the exact same ones I saw in a similar show in April, and 90% of the products of these exhibitors are the same as when I saw them in April. Nothing more than your run-of-the-mill coffin-shaped inflatable bed.

Shows organized by Kenfair are quite a different experience though, I must say. For one, I can't name another tradeshow organizer to openly reject its competitors from exhibiting at its shows and even ban any press from its competing trade publications to visit the show. What can I say except "How low can you go?"

After two-plus hours of aimless browsing, I left the notorious event and did some aimless browsing on the streets of Wan Chai. Well, not exactly aimless as I was trying to find a place to grab a bite at. In the end, I went back to the good old Beijing Dumplings, where it seemed business was not rolling as it should be. So I did what I do best. I ate more than I should've. I think the nice owner applauded my heroic attempt. He even cut me some slack and let me order just half a serving of fried dumplings after I'd already finished a whole serving of steamed ones so I didn't have to over-overstuff myself.

The day concluded marvelously with my first visit to the Hong Kong Central Library. It's been longer than I can remember since I'd been in an actually resourceful library. Other than the escalator layout, I liked every inch of the space. The experience shoved the four-eyed geek right back in me. I think the Hong Kong Central Library will become one of my regular hangouts after Lamma.