A tale of three cities- Hong Kong, day one

Sisterhood with an Esthetician

Early in the morning on Good Friday, we arrived in Hong Kong International Airport, exhausted after a fifteen-hour turbulent flight. However, I was immediately impressed by the city's efficiency and modernity.

The weather was foggy and a little windy. Today is the first of a five-day long weekend, including "Ching-Ming day", a day to visit and "sweep" your ancestors' tombstones. The city is unusually quiet.

***

My Aunt May took me to her beauty salon and requested a facial for me.
"It's good to close your eyes and rest after a long flight"

A lot of the Hong Kong middle-class ladies I encountered have this ritual of going to beauty salon regularly.
They are more alert of their appearance and are generally more polished than their California counterpart.

***

The esthetician started with a massage on my back.
"Wow it was so dry!"
I agreed. I did not tell her I came from the dry land called California.
I noticed her own refined complexion.
She then touched my face, examined it and sighed,
"You must not have taken care of it for a very long time"

As if out of pity, she started to caress my face, exploring its imperfection. Her fingers were so soft and her touch so gentle. It was a strange pleasure to have a stranger taking such concern and care for your face, up close and personal.

I felt so pampered by such a luxury and fell asleep for most of the session. But somehow half awake, I could still hear her sweet soft voice explaining each procedure, urging me on how important it is for a woman to take care of herself.

Then, after a long silence, she mentioned,
"your aunt May comes here often. She is a good person. She has a good heart."

***

When all is done, she looked pleased.
"Now Your skin look different. You can go out!"
she also reminded me,
"There are no ugly women, only lazy ones"

I smiled, and promised her,
"OK"