From the classic Milton Friedman television series Free to Choose (1980):

Hong Kong never stops. There's always some business to be done, some opportunity to be seized. Its long been a tourist center and a shoppers paradise and it's now one of the business centers of the East. It's the ordinary people of Hong Kong who benefit from all this effort and enterprise.

This thriving, bustling, dynamic city, has been made possible by the free market indeed the freest market in the world. The free market enables people to go into any industry that they want; to trade with whomever they want; to buy in the cheapest market around the world; to sell in the dearest around the world. But most important of all, if they fail, they bear the cost. If they succeed, they get the benefit and it's that atmosphere of incentive that has induced them to work, to adjust, to save, to produce a miracle. This miracle hasn't been achieved by government action by someone sitting in one of those tall buildings and telling people what to do. It's been achieved by allowing the market to work. Walk down any street in Hong Kong and you will see the impersonal forces of the market in operation.

And so it is today. 26 years later.

Hong Kong today is among the richest countries of the world. Just behind Austria. But unlike Austria, Hong Kong keeps growing. Surpassing those countries who discourage working with overblown regulations and high taxes.

After watching the first volume Free to Choose, continue with the remaining nine. Irresistible!

Volume 2: The Tyranny of Control
Volume 3: Anatomy of a Crisis
Volume 4: From Cradle to Grave
Volume 5: Created Equal
Volume 6: What’s Wrong With Our Schools?
Volume 7: Who Protects the Consumer?
Volume 8: Who Protects the Worker?
Volume 9: How to Cure Inflation
Volume 10: How to Stay Free
Want more? Enjoy Milton Friedman on Limited Government

Milton Friedman died Thursday Nov 16th at age 94.

Labels: Asia, Economics, movies

Arriving in Hong Kong, a busy Indian approached me to have a look at his "hotel". What he showed was a shabby, tight room with no window in the 7 floor of Chungking Mansions. But I remembered this house. It's where Wong Kar Wai shot Chungking Express. This movie has two stories. The first, rushing thru Chungking Mansions and the second, a bit slower let's Valerie Chow playing a busy Air Hostess break up with Tony Leung the Cop 663. Who will, after suffering, meet the sweet Faye Wong.

This movie represents everyday Hong Kong life. Just like Chungking Mansions. Flashy, shabby, crowded, lovely!

Labels: Asia, movies

Koh Samui has motorbike taxis. Now that was a first for me to see. I would expect a motorbike taxi business to face at least three problems. First, no business during rain, which usually is the busiest time for caps. Second, Helmets. Some people may not like wearing the sweaty helmet from the previous customer. Not to mention that everyone may need a different size. And third, what about the luggage.
In Samui, those points are no issue. It hardly rains. Not even now, in the “rainy session”. And no one is wearing helmets. Except, possibly forced by their license, the cap drivers. And regarding the luggage, those backpacking tourists penetrating the island can carry their belongings, well on their back.
I love this service. After all, a motorbike get's much faster thru traffic.

This smiling lady is preparing a delicious Thai soup for me :-)

Labels: Asia

Finally we met again after three separated years. You have changed. Grown bigger. More appealing. But more expensive too, I’m afraid. Getting used to the luxury? Aiming for glamorous Tokyo? Still jealous of this city next door? Don’t be. You have your own style. More homely and original. Full of wonderful people. Some of which I count as close friends. And don’t forget the delicious food you are known for. It's so much more than raw fish.
I had a great time with you. Again!
Just like 9 years ago when we first met. Do you remember? July 1997. I was still young and innocent. It was my first time with a big city. But I wasn’t afraid. I trusted you from the beginning and quickly fell in love with you.
You have always been welcoming and forgiving to my inexperience with your culture. You thought me about the little differences. Showed me things I had never seen, felt or tasted before. Thank you!
It’s hard to say goodbye. It always is. I was considering many times to postpone my flight. But I had to leave. There are others I want to meet. Soon I will see Hong Kong for the first time. I’m very exited. Yes, I’m unfaithful again. But open to the world as you are, I’m sure you understand my desire to experience other places. You know I will return. And someday when I have seen enough. I will stay.

Love, Patrick

Labels: Asia