[gilleshk]

Well, in many cases, it's simply convenience... Access to shops and some of them want to go and dance and see different people. If they go to a more isolated place, they lose part of that. You'll still see many of them at the barbecue pits at the beaches too but space can be an issue.

As to walking the hills, well some of us really enjoy that but judging by the numbers of people on the trail and the numbers of people hanging around in CWB or Mongkok on a Sunday. I'd say we're a big minority and thank goodness for that!

[hullexile]

Originally Posted by MovingIn07

I get the support network thing.. but what about the whole little group of them getting out and about?!

Different values and interests. Remember there are about 250,000 as I said before so a large number are not sat on pavements in Central. Many are in church, in Wan Chai bars, at friend's houses playing cards (including my house), going on trips, etc. Socialising is the most important thing, generally being with lots of other people rather than isolated up a mountain.

[shilo507]

Originally Posted by MovingIn07

I get the support network thing.. but what about the whole little group of them getting out and about?!

Most of them have very little money and cannot afford to travel too far on public transport. I would imagine most of them are too exhausted from the previous week's toils to go hiking given that many of them work 14-18 hours 6 days per week.

What does tend to happen is that in the morning the girls meet up (the Filipinos in Central and the Indonesians in Causeway Bay) to do what they have to do and then, after lunch (often fast food or food they have cooked prior to leaving he house) they break away in smaller groups with close friends. Some girls do go to the beach. Some head off to meet boyfriends and/or off to the bars and discos in Wan Chai.

There are other smaller groups of girls up in NT or in the outlying islands etc who live too far from the Island to afford the trip in to town. One major concern of many DHs who work for an employer who lives too far from the Island that they will not be able to afford the trip in to town every week.

I understand your point of view but given the lives that these girls lead I can fully comprehend why they do what they do and why hiking in the hills, for example, is not going to be high on their list of priorities.

[larac]

I think Sai Kung looks to be the place to be. Out there on a Sunday they all look to be having a really nice time, small groups, praying, singing, dancing together, reading, playing games, sharing food, putting on little shows for each other etc. Not sure where they go when it rains though. I know that the life of a maid in HK may not be what we would choose for ourselves but I have always thought the close friendships these women enjoy is something alot of people would never have the pleasure of experiencing.

At Deep Water bay the BBQ area is packed but also a good spot, the ones I don't understand is those that sit near the bus terminal in Central.
You are right, there are literally thousands of maids and many stay in central for whatever reason but why sit in the stinking terminal rather than on an overpass or down near Chater Sqaure?

[Crocodile]

Originally Posted by larac

You are right, there are literally thousands of maids and many stay in central for whatever reason but why sit in the stinking terminal rather than on an overpass or down near Chater Sqaure?

Some possibly ask the question as to why rich (comparitively) white people drink themselves silly in a smokey bar in LKF on Friday and Saturday night spending thousands of dollars, when they can spend the weekend anywhere they want. Sometimes it is just the fact that you are with friends is all that matters.