The Show Outside My Window

We are as settled as we can be for the moment in out new apartment. Our sea container does not arrive for another nine days. So we have set up house with a guest bed, a small table and chairs, a TV and a desk. It is a very spartan existence but also very doable. The biggest problem so far has been seating. With small hard chairs and hardwood floors, it was almost impossible to feel comfortable for more that a few minutes at a time. Enter our friend Janet who lives two floors up. She has loaned us a chair and ottoman to use until our goods arrive. It has been heaven.


Over the weekend there was some bargaining over who got the chair and for how long. But with Ken traveling all but one day between now the the arrival of our things, it is heavenly to have a comfy place to sit whenever I want. And one of my most favorite past times as I sit is watching the weather as it comes in and leaves. Now Shayne and Kyle have been known to call me "Doppler Patti" because of my fascination with the weather. (It also comes from the fact that they never keep up with what is coming and so I often have to let them know of impending snowstorms, hurricanes and severe weather alerts.) 

Well, the view from my window is better than any weather channel you could name. And in Hong Kong the weather changes sometimes minute by minute. A day that starts out sunny can see clouds roll in and obscure the view. It also often works in reverse. The other morning I woke to an interesting set of clouds hanging over small portions of the higher elevations. These wispy little things just seemed to meander in and out of the mid-levels as though looking for the right spot to rest.

Looking off toward the harbor usually gives a clearer view and the advancing weather is easily seen.

Looking up the mountain to the Peak is often an exercise in futility. Although the views from there are spectacular, those living there often see nothing but the insides of the clouds. On this day, the view to the Peak was clear and the flat topped viewing tower is easily spotted in the middle of the photo. It is a "must see" spot for visitors to Hong Kong.

The other day we had perhaps the worst rain storm since our arrival last May. Most of the time there was little or nothing to see through my private viewing "screen." As the storm came and went throughout the day the buildings we are so familiar with came and went as well.

But no matter what the weather, when darkness falls our view turns magical. At times I cannot believe that I get to see this amazing skyline each night. The buildings light up and at 8 PM they put on the daily light show. When it has ended they just sit there and sparkle and make me smile.

The show outside my window is most often the best one in town.