Monday, 13 April 2015

A walk down Castle Peak Road


Castle Peak Road - 16 Seater Bus
(Written Saturday 11 April, afternoon)
 I've ventured into the local town, armed with an umbrella and a camera. I have brought a fold up stool as well as various sketchbooks, but it just was not possible to sketch in today’s weather. The local town is totally fascinating with all sorts to grab the attention; colourful signs and banners, incredible shops and hardware stores, and further along towards Tonkin Street an incredible food market selling every kind of foodstuff - exotic vegetables and fruit, buns and pastries, every kind of fish fowl and animal, dead and alive (for later consumption, I’m assuming).
For any visual artist, there is so much potential here, particularly in this less touristy area (I don’t think I saw anyone from US/Europe on these streets). There are incredible polarities that make the place so interesting and vibrant - whilst everywhere there are new high-rises and tenements, you find right next door a crumbling old 3 or 4 story block - there couldn’t be more contrast - polished stone and glass 10 feet away from a crumbling and paint peeled hovel. There are modern cars alongside the old buses and lorries on the overcrowded roads. Hardware and utility shops so full of stuff there’s hardly any room to get inside compete with the more familiar glass shop fronts displaying the usual goods and fashion ware.
It’s very easy to be the tourist - and that is what I am - but I hope that I am more than that. I want to make something of this place - I want to give it meaning and find meaning in it. I don’t want to just objectify it, which I think is a great temptation.


Cheung Wa Street Café - Proprietor
Footnote:
I got lost a couple of times, but did find a great street café. These Di Pai Dongs used to be very common all over Hong Kong, but are less so now. 
They still exist though, and some of the best are to be found here in Kowloon, where they are still very popular with local working people. The proprietor's wife (I'm guessing) saw me looking in the window and said something in Cantonese, and was laughing. I think she thought, tourist-he'll never stop and eat here, but I decided to give it a go... and it was absolutely delicious as well as being very filling, and very good value! The proprietor/chef asked an English speaking local if I liked the food, and positively beamed with delight when I said that I had. I am glad I didn't have the chopped intestines though! 

It was great to try something different, and all done through sign language and gesture. One of my best experiences here so far!
(If you get lost I've discovered it's best to ask anyone under the age of thirty. Not only will they speak good English, but they'll be happy to produce their smart-phone to show you where you are.)

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