On my last day in Hong Kong, I, Keyen Farrell paid a visit to the Chungking Mansions. Contrary to the name, there is nothing luxe about the Chungking Mansions. Situated across the harbor in Kownloon, it’s a bustling marketplace selling everything in Hong Kong that can’t be eaten. Want a new computer? Why buy a fancy Lenovo when you can hire a dude waiting outside who will buy a motherboard, disk drive and other parts, and assemble your computer. It even comes with a complementary ten-minute warranty. If the religion of Hong Kong is commerce, the Mansions are its temple. It’s a labyrinth of shops housed in an enormous and frighteningly dilapidated building. This place is the worst nightmare for sufferers of even mild claustrophobia and contains enough combustibles to make the Hindenburg look up-to-code.

Hong Kong by: Keyen Farrell

Most shops are the size of an average American bedroom but they’re tended by some of the most savvy businesspeople on the planet. They live for the deal, and as soon as you wander within striking distance, resistance is futile. It’s no secret Hong Kong tailors make a nice suit, so I figured I’d try my luck at finding one. I walked into one of the ‘larger’ shops and asked what kind of blazers they sold. Within a few minutes, there were bolts of fabric strewn across the floor. After showing a few different styles, he carefully pulled out a bolt of textured cloth, noting it’s softness while slowly running it across his hand. He proceeded to explain it’s durability, that it was a high-tech fabric and could not be ripped or wrinkled. And with that, he unrolled the spool and threw it on the floor. After watching him stomp on the cloth for the better part of a minute, I told him I got the idea. Convinced any suit made from this stuff was indestructible I ordered a blazer to be mailed back to the US. I did not quality for free hotel delivery since I was leaving before the suit would be ready which was a bit of a bummer. Total cost: $85. I got him down a few bucks, but I was so outgunned on the negotiation front that I was happy to call it a day at $85. I’m not sure if that’s a good price or not, but he certainly looked satisfied…

Two weeks later, a DHL package arrives at my home. I look inside expecting to find a blazer, and pull out a gray kid’s suit instead. Turns out I got an order destined for Switzerland. Not wanting the kid to miss his bar mitzvah or communion or whatever else it was for, I mailed it to the correct shipping address inside the package. A week later, I received my blazer from Switzerland. I have to say the quality was pretty amazing given the price, and it even came with my name and measurements stitched on the inside pocket. All but certain I was out 20 bucks, I sent an email to the tailor and was pleasantly surprised to see a $20 credit on my next credit card statement. Now that’s good business.