Scoring the apartment

Last night we met the landlady, signed the final papers, and got the key to our new apartment. This is the awesome view from our living room window:

In order to make this final transaction, however, we had to produce a great deal of cash. Our property agent had suggested to us that we might want to bring cash rather than writing a check, because our landlady would be more likely to hand over the key then and there if she didn't have to wait for a check to clear. That necessitated trekking through the city carrying this:

It was nerve-wracking, but I gave us a modicum of protection by throwing Triad gang signs every few steps. I believe I was very intimidating. Or looked like I had a seizure disorder. Whatever - people steered clear.

Before we met to sign the lease, we stopped and had some killer samosas at Cafe O:

This place is right around the corner from our new apartment, and I have a feeling we'll be visiting frequently, if only because I want to try their advertised specialty pizzas - caramelized pumpkin and bacon, or banana, bacon and spinach.

The area where we're living is surrounded by tiny hole-in-the-wall places to get great noodles, dumplings, kebabs, etc. Many people grab something from one of these local vendors and eat their dinner in the street - it's a very communal atmosphere. After looking over all of these stalls we decided to try some local flavor and selected Subway for dinner. Now, you will all have questions about the differences between Hong Kong Subway and American Subway, but there really aren't that many. I will detail them for you here:

• Sandwiches: the sandwiches are pretty much all the same - tuna, turkey, meatball marinara - except for a couple listed under "local favorites" - avocado and chicken tikka. I stuck with my traditional veggie delite, but may have to try the avocado.
• Toppings: no banana peppers, but they did have grated carrots.
• Condiments: mayo, mustard, oil & vinegar, but also sweet chili oil, chili garlic sauce, and ketchup.

I'm thinking for next time, an avocado sandwich with sweet chili oil sounds awesome.

Now we have a weekend of packing, moving, and shopping for everything from forks to furniture to look forward to.