If I Can Make it There, I'll Make it Anywhere?

At a local jazz bar, the band would perform Frank Sinatra's 'New York, New York' but have the lyrics changed to 'Mongkok'.
A major area in Hong Kong that is so famous for its extremely high population density that it's on the Guinness World Record.

Despite how much the words fit, Mongkok never has the glitz & glam that New York does.
For some reason, I have got a chance to see the not-so-known and not-the-best side of the area.
The streets are packed, 24/7. Literally, no matter what time you are there, it is packed.
Streets are not only packed with people, but also shops after shops, buildings after buildings.
Some buildings are so old & torn that once you enter a building, usually walking up the stairs, you travel a few decades back in time. Historical (not sure if it's in the good way or bad way though).

Once you are in the building, you almost entered another world.
A 10-storey historical building that is not well-maintained. No lift, just stairs. And public areas without light.
Just complete darkness.
And occasional pink/yellow lights or even neon lights that signal: This is the place for prostitution.
And sounds of leaking pipes dripping, TV inside apartments, people yelling foul languages, barking dogs.
Oh, and prostitutes too, of course.

So, what is worth writing about this lousy messy place?
Despite the fact that we have encountered extraordinary people from all walks of life and have such an interesting experience, it is just another old city area.
You're right, it's just like any other old city area of any other cosmopolitan/developed city.
Old, crowded, busy, dirty place.

Tonight I saw how hard people strive to live and it saddens me.
People squeezing themselves into areas so small that it's inhumane to live in.
People of all ages & background doing filthy jobs just to make ends meet.
People building illegal structures in most extraordinary places so that they have a shelter.
Could they really enjoy the fruit of their labor or is it just a never-ending cycle of hardship?
I don't know.

Do you wanna wake up in this particular area of city that never sleeps?
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere? Seriously?

Love,
N