Heading to Rebecca Pan's

April 3: The student conspirators in Ang Lee’s 2007 release “Lust, Caution” attended the University of Hong Kong – Joyce’s school. While walking through an atrium in the old building, I recognize the balcony where the film’s characters discussed their assassination scheme.



Joyce completes her lectures for the day, and we take Hong Kong’s classic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor to Kowloon. We wander Kowloon, eat a tea egg (egg hardboiled in tea and spices) and head to the Chungking Mansions (cheap accommodations with imitation watches, cell phones and camera equipment sold on the first two floors).

The Chungking Mansions gained international exposure in 1994’s “Chungking Express,” written and directed by Wong Kar-wai.

The Chungking Mansions is one of Hong Kongs most widely recognized budget accommodations, a maze of guesthouses and curry shops. We share a lamb kabob at a Pakistani restaurant on the second floor. The Chungking Mansions are known for its large population of Indian, Middle Eastern and international residents. The food is delicious and cheap.

Men’s eyes follow Joyce around the building. We walk around the shops and leave for our next food destination.

We go next door for the teatime special at Spaghetti House, a local Hong Kong Italian food chain, share a combo meal: puffy lobster soup with mushroom lobster pasta and coffee.

We wander Kowloon Park, look at the flamingos and go to a pier to view the skyscrapers lining southern Victoria Harbor. The sky is soup, buildings disapear in atmosphere. Then, we take a taxi to the home of Rebecca Pan (an actress and international cabaret singer) and join Joyce’s parents for dinner.

Rebecca has appeared in a number of prominent Southeast Asian films (three of which were either directed or produced by Wong Kar-wai). And, she served as consultation for Ang Lee’s portrayal of Shanghainese women playing mahjongg in “Lust, Caution.” Joyce met Rebecca through a cafe salon through HKU, and we spent almost two weeks together in Mexico City and Havana during the summer of 2007.



After nine courses of Shanghainese and Chiu Chow style cuisine (duck, goose, beef, fish, soups, vegetables, and more) I’m ready to burst. We digest while watching videos of Rebecca singing in Mexico and Cuba, which Joyce had recorded.

“Ngo ho bow wor.” I’m very stuffed. Joyce taught me the phrase yesterday. Eating all day is hard work.