The Jet Set Vet

My hopes for May 🌸

For us, May is a month of new beginnings, of closing old chapters and beginning to write new ones. It’s classically a month of shifting seasons and nature coming into full bloom which I feel is very fitting for this phase in our lives.

I hope for a month of adventures - exploring untrodden paths in the place we now call home. A May where there is more laughter than overthinking, more presence than pressure, and where we find happiness in ordinary moments.

May this month be brilliant, beautiful and balanced.💕

The "Monster Building" on Hong Kong Island became famous thanks to its feature in the Hollywood film 'Transformers'. It has since attracted thousands of visitors flocking to see this particular area and take commemorative snaps to the point where it has become a "tourist attraction" in its own right.

On our trip to Hong Kong we too decided to be those tourists who went to check out the "Monster Building" and here's what I saw... I saw people's homes, a community, businesses trying to make ends meet... And then I saw a shed load of influencers / content creators / tourists / travellers, whatever you want to call them, running around the place taking photos like they were at Disneyland. Now, don't get me wrong, not all were behaving badly, but not one of them went into any of the cafes or restaurants after taking their photos to support the people who live in the area they had just been treating like a theme park. Unfortunately, we also witnessed tourists behaving badly too with one couple requisitioning a ladder they found in the community to use as a prop for their pictures.

It made us consider the implications to this area of becoming a famous Instagram spot. Is this situation actually supporting the local community? How do locals feel when their home gets so much international attention? Finally, should these people's homes become a novelty attraction for tourists? I honestly don't know the answers, but it's a thought provoking topic.

Many tourists can be guilty of exploring places with a warped perception based on their own reality. For example, real estate is at a premium on Hong Kong Island and housing shortages are acute. This is just one example of where one person's novelty is another person's reality and care must be taken to learn about other ways of life without being disrespectful or ignorant.

If you are planning to view the "Monster Building" as a tourist, or anywhere else which may be considered a tourist attraction, here are some things to consider:

1. Reflect on your footprint on these areas. Treat them with respect.
2. Be considerate to the people around you and try where possible to contribute and support the local community. Buy from their shops, restaurants and cafes.
3. Do not be tempted to cross the boundaries of social etiquette to get that perfect photo. Contemplate how you would feel should the tables be turned and you had an influencer climbing your shed in the back garden weilding a camera.
4.Take an interest in the community around you, try to be present and learn rather than just take a picture and leave.

So I put the question to you, do you think places like the "Monster Building" should be a tourist attraction?