I remember being surprised by the cost of regular sandwiches when I first moved to HK in 2007. And thinking it was somewhat a waste of dosh given such simple ingredients and especially if it was bought 5x a week. It made me think about my careful PhD thesis supervisor in England and his regular lunch pack (typically tuna sandwiches and apples) and what he considered was "unnecessary expenses". Also about sandwiches (open faced) in Norway being very expensive and most people sensibly bringing lunches to work (G's observations in the 2000s).
Of course, I quickly became accustomed to the prices and subsequently felt only a little twinge of guilt when I ran next door for an over priced toasted tuna or vegetable panini, epecially as weekday-time became such a luxury. I don't think anyone else, aside from my colleagues who came from India was as concerned about this. Pfft, realistically, who really had time or the energy to pack lunch*? We all finished so late and had to be in by 7am everyday. The relatively cost of sandwiches was nothing considering everything else.
Still, my lunch time guilt only totally disappeared after I discovered our subsidised cafetaria (which served a hot lunch buffet for the same price of a sandwich!). Indeed, lunching there with colleagues became the highlight of most days, especially when we had events (or gossips) to debrief (share). Thursdays were "Curry Days" - delicious and delightful.
Here, these days, I either prepare mine and LE´s packed lunch at home - in the mornings or when LE is not with us, at the academy where we are allocated space in the kitchen pantry and fridge. I particularly like the fact that I now have the time to think and prepare about what I want to consume (today's menu: cheese and pickle sandwich, an apple and yoghurt).
Someone recently asked me whether I'm missing the pressure from my worklife in HK. The quick answer is "no" (maybe -not yet?) - this simple example of choosing what to prepare & eat for lunch is a part of the greater enjoyment of life I'm experiencing right now. No doubt, I'm keen to go back to work and get my career going again. However, I would like to do so do so in an environment where time and extreme urgency are not so paramount to the role.
*Answer: the domestic helper of some of the people at work who brought yummy looking salads, soups or sandwiches to work.
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