Typhoon Koppu

Hello out there. We have some catching up to do.

I recently witnessed my very first typhoon in the form of Tropical Storm Koppu. During orientation in early September school officials warned us to seek shelter and remain indoors if ever the typhoon warning system reached a Signal 8. The numbering system is not intuitive; it jumps from a Signal 3 straight to a Signal 8, at which point schools and businesses close, transit services slow or cease, and everyone rushes to the supermarket for Provisions.

School was atwitter on Monday with news of the Signal 3 typhoon warning, and the atmosphere was that of a third grade classroom anticipating an early closing due to blizzard. I was between classes, Monday being the only day when I have class both in the morning and the evening, but I decided to brave the intermittent showers and go home for a while. My evening class was ultimately canceled on account of the Typhoon 8 warning (yes!), so I did what everyone does - I rushed to the supermarket for cheese, crackers, apples, take-away sushi, milk, cereal, and two cans of beer, figuring this would certainly tide me over until it was safe to go back outside. Lines were long, residual excitement hung in the air.





My survival instincts were hardly necessary, though - by nightfall, the rain had mostly ceased, and only a strong wind blew through the nearly empty streets. I leaned out the hallway window in my hostel - the only view afforded me - and craned my neck to try and see where the storm was coming from. Feeling somewhat let down by the experience, I decided to defy school and government warnings - rebel that I am - and hit the streets to see what exactly this typhoon was about. My classmate Alison joined me, so we walked south and east towards the waterfront. The most remarkable aspect of our few hours out in the typhoon were the quiet and empty streets. Hong Kong is crowded and buzzes with activity most hours of the day and night but during the typhoon it seemed everyone took an opportunity to snuggle in at home, taking a break from the combined hustle of business, shopping, and eating that normally fills the outdoors spaces. It ended up being a very nice night to be out; Alison and I eventually wound our way to the Wan Chai Ferry pier, where we drank a beer - it is legal to drink outdoors in HK - watched neon-lit clouds skid hurriedly across the sky and waves chop heavily in Victoria Harbor.