Goodbye Hong Kong

I grew tired of many things in Hong Kong. But, the view from my apartment was never one of them. So, when I snapped the picture above, during our sea-freight pack, it was rather poignant that one of my best memories of Hong Kong had a “do not pack” sign superimposed on it.

Today, we leave for Singapore and the start of a new adventure. Five years, one month and two weeks to the day since we arrived from Delhi. For me, a lot has changed in those five years.

I’ve become a serious photographer, a better writer and a more well honed musician. I run a small business now and I’m starting to learn to do that well (or less badly, at least). I’ve managed to establish a decent network of people who know me and appreciate what I can do. And, I’ve managed to stay true to my personal and family commitments as well.

But, there have also been some disappointments. I’ve largely failed to make friends, haven’t gigged (apart from performing with an iPad), didn’t release my solo album and couldn’t get my ideas for music apps or music technology products off the ground.

I never flourished in Hong Kong, but I learnt to adapt. In doing so I had to let go of a bunch of ideas about how I would spend my time here and, in turn, try new things and push myself into different situations.

That’s why I’m trying to stay loose about what the future might hold in Singapore. I’m convinced that it’s the right thing to do, but I know that what success will ultimately mean there might only bear a passing resemblance to what I now hope it might be.

There’s plenty of personal and emotional baggage that i brought to Hong Kong and some that I acquired while here. Just as I have to say goodbye to this glorious view,I also have to say goodbye to all that.

Tomorrow is not just another day, it is also, another life.