Hong Kong to Asheville
Hi y’all (as they say in the south), let me introduce myself... I am the most recent addition to the Provisions family. My name is Ruth, and I am from Hong Kong. Yes, you heard that right, Hong Kong. Lots to say about the place, but basically it is a very small city on the southern coast of China, with 7.5 million people of all nationalities squeezed into it. It is a shopper's paradise, a foodie paradise, and even a hiker's paradise. Most importantly though it was my home, well, up until recently. As an old Greek philosopher said...
“The Only Constant in Life Is Change.”- Heraclitus
Change brought me to beautiful Asheville, NC. Not too bad, right? The more I live here, my eyes have been opened to what a sought-out place this is. Like every newcomer to a country, there is a bumpy ride to go through first. The most terrifying thing for me, was learning how to drive. In Hong Kong, everyone used public transport. The most you had to worry about was being caught between the closing train doors during rush hour. Learning how to drive at 35, can be a nightmare. I still ignore the freeway like a plague, I have yet to drive at night, and I try to memorize what lanes I need to drive in so I needn't change. This is coming from a woman who has traveled across the world alone! So yes, the hardest part of my first day of work was literally driving there. Don’t tell my new bosses Heather and Matt, but I definitely had 2 practice runs.
Driving aside though, I have found Hong Kong and Asheville, not so different. The weekends are similar. In both places you can hike mountains with killer views, whether it be the shimmering South China Sea or the distant Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoying brunch with family or friends, is still a must. There would be dim sum in Hong Kong, while here in West Asheville, you might be digging into your Mimosa Chicken Biscuit at Biscuit Head. For some retail therapy on the weekend (shopping is a religion in Hong Kong), you would be perusing top designer stores in a luxury mall. Here in Asheville, you might be browsing Provisions with a coffee in hand, with Beau at your feet. Yet even with such similarities, I find my heart calling out for my past life...
Don't we all feel tempted to look behind and think the future can never be as good? But it simply is not true...
Asheville and Provisions have now become part of my story, just like my life in Hong Kong. We all need to believe change can be good...because trust me, it really can be if we let it.
-Ruth
