If and when you return to your home country, other than great memories, what will you buy or have bought to take back to your home country?
I was looking around our apartment and realised that we will have very little from our time in HK. Plenty of photos but very little special 'things'.
So, what will you take home? I was thinking along the lines of
Art
Electrical
Clothing
Furniture
In these areas are you considering paintings, silk art? computers and others? What is worth taking back when you consider the costs of removals?
I would welcome your suggestions and ideas
Bob
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art I think is pretty nice - and it doesn't have to be huge or expensive - just something that appeals. And it's not necessarily humongous to take with you.
Our time in HK - we actually took back quite a bit of Chinese furniture. I was in love with the traditional horseshoe back chairs so we got a pair of those and my husband and beautiful chinese wedding cabinet. Shambala in aplei chau offers shipping and export services - and depending on where you are going, some find them to be quite reasonable.
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I have nothing I want from HK but foto's. It is not going to be a place I will pine for after I leave.
AND there are China Towns all over N America where you get the exact same things at the same prices.
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I think I will kick myself for not having more of significance. We will have 2 chinese pieces of furniture plus a pile of other stuff eg: tv/dvd player/books/bed we have bought whilst here but it isn't special. We plan to travel en route home so will collect small memorabilia then.
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788
19 yrs ago
Art is a great idea. And as hkcc said, it can be taken back easily. Get the framing done in your home country.
But I would be bolder about art. With art you have the possibility of taking back with you a true snapshot of the transition time here. Cautiously experimental, trying to appeal to a traditional art collecting audience to change. I would give some thought towards investing in art- something where you are both emotionally and financially invested. The prices of Asian art is already hitting some highs. You have to research on this though... I believe you would have bought something at the cusp of change and that would be invaluable. Frankly, sometimes good art is as expensive as furniture but more irreplaceable!
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hkkm
19 yrs ago
Interesting question, as we are about to head back to Australia after almost 5 years here.
We haven't really bought much of significance here. No Chinese furniture - the only stuff I like is the antique stuff that's well beyond our budget. Quite a few little souvenirs from various places, eg embroidery, a few 'folk art' paintings. Definitely no contemporary Chinese art - I can't stand it, and for me art is primarily to put on my wall and enjoy, and only secondarily an investment.
For me, it's a trade-off. Would I rather have bought an antique wedding cabinet (that probably won't go with any of the other furniture in our house in Aus) or a week in Thailand?
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I'm glad that others find this interesting. I am thinking of art and some Chinese furniture also. I really like the idea of having some special things bought from here and having them displayed in our home. Great memories are revived when you look at your art - where and when and why you bought it.
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Interesting. I've grown up here. What would I take away? Very good question. To be honest with you, you can't realy take away your friends, the nightlife, the buzz or any of the other unique attributes that HK has. Memories and friends.
Is this a sign of lack of culture? Or is this the case with any country? What would you take FROM your home country if you were emigrating TO Hong Kong?
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Goloh
19 yrs ago
I think: forget about electrical and clothing. They wear out or break or you can't use the same voltage, or whatever. I also think: don't obsess about loading up with many things. After years of accumulating, now we just want to downsize and make some extra space. Can I offer one anecdote--a neighbor of my mother's was fairly old and fairly rich and very well-travelled. She invited me in, and I saw she had almost no artifacts other than some nice things in a couple of display cases. I asked why there wasn't more, since she had been everywhere and done everything. She just said "honey, one item per decade is enough." Wise woman.
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I keep in mind the theme that I want for my home and will buy smaller pcs of furniture, deco items to blend in the entrance hall, alcove, a spare bedroom. Items that will be put to use.
- mother of pearl inlaid chests as display tables
- big enormous chinese vases
- dining ware- eg. elaborate chopsticks sets, ceremonial wine & tea-sets
- Memory book of friends' photos
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