May Day, May Day

Hello Friends and loved ones,

This past weekend has been an interesting one in Hong Kong. First, Great Britain graced us with a Royal marriage. Every girly girl's fantasy became a reality. Not only did Prince William get married, but he married a  "common" girl from the outlying village. This event was a fairytale in living color.

Obviously, I did not attend the wedding, but for the British in Hong Kong who felt snubbed by their lack of wedding invitation, the Mandarin Oriental saved the day. The hotel transformed its ballroom into Westminster Abbey, complete with nave, aisles, proper seating arrangements, trees and proper placement of Kate and Wills via projection screen. All attendees dined on fine food while partaking in the momentous occasion. I did not go, but I was fortunate enough to attend the tongue-in-cheek 'official' after party, where I realized that the Mandarin event was actually quite popular among British ex-pats in Hong Kong. The Brits know how to kick up their heels and enjoy a drink, so the celebration was quite fun.

In more serious news, you all in the US probably heard as you were going to sleep that Osama bin Laden has been killed, and US troops have his body. This comes nearly 10 years after the events on 9/11, for which his organization was responsible. I was awake at Noon in Hong Kong to witness US President Obama deliver the announcement, to which the English speaking news anchor summarized as "That was Osama bin Laden, speaking to the world about the death of...Osama bin Laden." Grimace. Gaffe.

In more local news, today is May Day in Hong Kong. I have heard numerous interpretations of what this holiday is, the most benign being that May Day is a version of Labor Day. Some call May 1 International Workers' Day, which alludes to ties with Socialist movements in Australia. Whatever your take on this day may be, Hong Kong still celebrates this holiday and gives e'rybody a day off of work! Three weeks in a row that I will have a four-day work week. Next Tuesday is Buddha's birthday. Easter, May Day, Buddha's birthday. Hooray for Holidays!