12TH Sept 2010 (27)
MY YOUNG OLD DAYS
In 1960s, a large number of refugees migrated to Hong Kong from China
when China was in political turmoil. While refugees struggling to find
refuge in every space they could find, the economy in Hong Kong started
booming. 1960s were the significant years for fashion. Mini-skirt, blues,
greens eye shadows, false eyelashes, psychedelic colours clothing, batik
fabrics were popular. So were white a-go-go boots, bell-bottom jeans, etc.
The Refugees in Hong Kong
I was never a fan of the Beatles in those days. Most of my school mates
usually carried with them photos of their movie and pop star idols. Girls
would choose male stars and boys would carry photos of female stars.
To go along with the others and not to be the odd one out, I forced myself
to carry one or two as well. I chose photos of Rock Hudson and Ricky
Nelson. However, I did have a few favourites, but they were female
actresses and singers. They were Gina Lollobragida, Doris Day, and Helen
Shapiro. Cliff Richard starring in the movie Summer Holiday is still vividly
stored in my memory.
Doris Day Helen Shapiro Gina Lollobragida
My second younger sister was very fashionable. She wore fake eye lashes,
heavy makeup, mini skirts and a-go-go-boots. She did get lots of attention in
the streets, especially from men. My skirt was short too, but I was very
ordinary.
Rock Hudson Ricky Nelson
That was the time when we first had telephone, television, and refrigerator in
Hong Kong. Washing machine and rice cooker were not available yet.
Broadcast was only limited in certain hours and I used to sit in front of the
television and waited for the black and white programme to start. My
favourite program was Perry Mason, a series featuring a defence lawyer.
My favourite books were books written by Agatha Christie.
Lives were hard for the poor. You could find hawkers selling whatever they
could think of to earn a living in the streets. In fact they were real
entrepreneurs. When I was young I often heard adults say, ' a mother who is
a manual labourer in a building site has a son who has become a doctor'.
The poor always hoped that their children would study hard and become
professionals when they grew up.
Yuen-yee
MY YOUNG OLD DAYS
In 1960s, a large number of refugees migrated to Hong Kong from China
when China was in political turmoil. While refugees struggling to find
refuge in every space they could find, the economy in Hong Kong started
booming. 1960s were the significant years for fashion. Mini-skirt, blues,
greens eye shadows, false eyelashes, psychedelic colours clothing, batik
fabrics were popular. So were white a-go-go boots, bell-bottom jeans, etc.
The Refugees in Hong Kong
I was never a fan of the Beatles in those days. Most of my school mates
usually carried with them photos of their movie and pop star idols. Girls
would choose male stars and boys would carry photos of female stars.
To go along with the others and not to be the odd one out, I forced myself
to carry one or two as well. I chose photos of Rock Hudson and Ricky
Nelson. However, I did have a few favourites, but they were female
actresses and singers. They were Gina Lollobragida, Doris Day, and Helen
Shapiro. Cliff Richard starring in the movie Summer Holiday is still vividly
stored in my memory.
Doris Day Helen Shapiro Gina Lollobragida
My second younger sister was very fashionable. She wore fake eye lashes,
heavy makeup, mini skirts and a-go-go-boots. She did get lots of attention in
the streets, especially from men. My skirt was short too, but I was very
ordinary.
Rock Hudson Ricky Nelson
That was the time when we first had telephone, television, and refrigerator in
Hong Kong. Washing machine and rice cooker were not available yet.
Broadcast was only limited in certain hours and I used to sit in front of the
television and waited for the black and white programme to start. My
favourite program was Perry Mason, a series featuring a defence lawyer.
My favourite books were books written by Agatha Christie.
Lives were hard for the poor. You could find hawkers selling whatever they
could think of to earn a living in the streets. In fact they were real
entrepreneurs. When I was young I often heard adults say, ' a mother who is
a manual labourer in a building site has a son who has become a doctor'.
The poor always hoped that their children would study hard and become
professionals when they grew up.
Yuen-yee
Hawkers selling Chinese delecatessens
Struggling onto a bus
