Personal/Public Stephanie Kovach

My personal space is a place of independence, introspection, and temporary homelessness.  My site is the Central Ferry Pier No. 3 in Hong Kong, China.  

After my friends and I took a ferry from the MV Explorer (Semester At Sea) to the Central Ferry Station, we took a taxi to a local party street.  Once we were their, we bought some drinks from a 7/11 and drank on the street with a bunch of other SASers.  I could tell by looking around that this wasn't going to be my type of scene.  We were surrounded by obnoxious clubs, filled with horny, inebriated individuals. I love a having a drink or two, don't get me wrong.  But, I much prefer a chill atmosphere that allows for meaningful conversations.  Nevertheless, my friends were having a great time and I figured I would give the clubs a try, along with them.  

We entered a crowded club.  Realizing that I had to use the restroom, I told my friends to wait up for me.  However, after I was done using the restroom, they were no where in sight.  I looked everywhere but found no one.  Instead of freaking out, I found this to be a golden opportunity for me to escape the party scene and search for a more authentic experience.

I walked all over the cobblestone roads of Hong Kong and soon I perceived that unlike my previous location, I was enraptured by silence.  But, there was more to this silence if I listened closer.  I could hear the high pitched clinking of dish-washing, the melodic, fluctuating voices of the locals, and the pitter-patters of near by pedestrians.  No noises of bottles breaking.  No vomiting.  No traffic in sight.  

Navigating through the streets, I felt confident in knowing the location of the MV Explorer, thus I just enjoyed the journey.  I stopped by a local's shop and drew a picture of a toilet to ask her permission to use her restroom (I drew because she didn't speak English).  She led me down a rugged corridor, down some steps, and gestured to me to enter the bathroom, with a smiling face.  When I exited, I met her back on the ground level.  The woman was smiling and gave me a pencil and paper.  She tapped the paper and simultaneously made a swooping action with her hand.  From observing her, I determined that she wanted me to draw a picture.  I quickly drew a expressionistic rabbit and a carrot and handed her the drawing.  Starring at my drawing for a moment, she expelled a shrill of gratitude and started rambling in Mandarin.  We bowed out heads to one another and I hit the road again.  My journey continued with the interaction of rats, exploration of vacant boats, while still trying to find the ship.  Eventually, I found myself right across from the MV Explorer and it dawned on me.  I wasn't going to be able to get back to the ship without a ferry.  

Thus, I ended up sleeping outside of the ferry station, waiting for the 6o'clock ferry to arrive.  I, surprisingly, slept very well.  I was awoken by the sound of fisherman casting out their lines.  I watched the three of them until I heard the doors of the ferry station open.  Then, I purchased my ticket, went on the ferry, and soon found myself in the comfort of the MV Explorer once again.