Page 13 - 中華基督教會扶輪中學－學生報

I had an interesting conversation with a young Hong Kong friend recently.
She’d asked me the reasons why Europeans and North Americans come to Hong
Kong and not to mainland China. I replied that I thought it was an odd question
and that I’d have thought that the answer was blindingly obvious. ‘Well,’ I said.
‘There’s the language barrier for a start.’ The dual signage system is invaluable to
the hundreds of thousands of non-Chinese speaking expats in Hong Kong.
‘Then there’s the wide range of both traditional and international food
available. But most of all, it’s the fact that Hong Kong is like London, yet a
part that I haven’t actually visited yet.’ My friend didn’t really get my meaning,
so I expanded. ‘The thing about Hong Kong is that it’s familiar, yet unfamiliar;
resonant of home, and yet resolutely different.’
‘I take that as a tribute to Hong Kong,’ said my friend. And that’s exactly what this is - a
tribute to a great city with an indefatigably industrious people.
Striking similarities between these two great cities abound: London, like Hong Kong, is
really a conglomeration of separate and distinct villages. By that I mean that each locale has
its own individual and quite independent identity. In London, for example, the district of Mayfair
is quite distinct from the district of Shoreditch; by the same token, Yau Ma Tei, where I live in
Hong Kong, is quite different from Lok Fu.
One of my absolutely favourite things to do is to take the opportunity to get
out and about and explore the local terrain. I’m not really a hiker, more of an urban
explorer, and there’s plenty to occupy me at the weekends as I roam the streets
round about my residential building, along with a friend or two, and explore the
markets, unusual shops and food-stalls in my local district. Did you know, for
example, that there’s a traditional wedding shop in Yau Ma Tei, that sells hand-
embroidered wedding dresses? That there’s a dedicated fountain pen specialist
that sells branded pens at a fraction of the price in the big stores? Or that there’s
a traditional coffin maker’s where you can see the magnificent mahogany coffins?
Oddly, they seem much larger than their western counterparts. How strange!
Aside from my urban exploration, I relish the opportunity to explore the Island itself. I am fascinated by
heritage and culture and can amble happily for hours amongst the nineteenth century colonial architecture,
incongruously interspersed with the gleaming skyscrapers. City of contrasts, for sure! A particular favourite
of mine is ‘The Blue House’ in Wanchai, a perfect example of the pre-war tenement
buildings, now converted to artists’ workshops and studios. On the subject of workshops,
I never miss the Jockey Club handicraft fairs, a showcase for local artists and artisans
and a great place to buy locally made artefacts.
In short, it’s almost seven long years ago now since I took
the enormous step of leaving my home and everything that was
dear and familiar to me, to come to Hong Kong and teach in
CCC Rotary School. And I haven’t regretted a second! Thanks to
all of you, my wonderful friends, and our fabulous city!

Caroline Banks 1 June 2017

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