Hong Kong Club - 20110921

Every country has their mythical buildings. Hong Kong Club is one of those in the SAR. Adjacent to the old Legislature, Hong Kong Club has always been one of the symbol of power. It was the club for British, and the very few selected Chinese. So, grassroot likes me would bypass it very quickly when we cris-crossed in Central.

The situation may be different after the changeover, bit by bit. Some years ago, a colleague by then told me that she had lunch in Hong Kong Club, thanks to her boss privileged status. So, the door of that mysterious place was widened. And yesterday, even I could have a chance to go there to join a breakfast briefing, organized by the British Chamber of Commence.

I arrived at 1 Jackson Road at 7:50am. Thanks to my boss reminder, I was in jacket and tie. When the automatic door opened, a male receptionist directed me automatically to the Harcourt Suite. Obviously my face was nobody enough. I walked up the spiral staircase. The Harcourt Suite was on the right hand side. Some Gweilos were there, both the organizers and participants. A few Chinese could be spotted. I got my buffet breakfast. Usual stuff. I sat between my boss and a man with an AP watch. I looked at mine reflectively, which was a Seiko. It was 8:20am.

The briefing started. A perplexing topic rendered by an ordinary presenter with a set of perfunctory powerpoint. In the meantime, a young man in T-shirt and chinos, with a blazer on, came in late. He was one of the participants. The talk finished at 9:20am. I went to the washroom. The urinal was Armitage Shanks. I associated those used in public estates.

When I left, I saw the vice president of HKU, who attended another meeting there, was picked up by his chauffeur in an old Toyata.

So, Hong Kong Club was like this. I had a very hybridized feeling to it.