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Gweillos in the house

at the Sai Kung District National Day Reception in celebration of the 72nd Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China

By Paul Arkwright

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Gweillo賀國慶

參與西貢區慶祝中華人民共和國成立七十二周年酒會有感

As I gingerly stepped into the Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall on 29 September, to attend HHYC’s formal invitation to celebrate the 72nd birthday of the People’s Republic of China, the traditional dragon dance had just begun to welcome everyone to the event. It was unlike previous District Council events I had been to, in that everyone was standing and masked rather than seated and chatting around tables. Out in force, the ushers held up signs to remind everyone to keep wearing their masks throughout the event. I mopped the sweat from my brow and purposefully settled in a spot directly below a big air-con vent to help cool me down as I had just rushed over sporting my HHYC blazer—not such a clever idea when it was 32 degrees in the shade.

The cymbals and drums of the dragon dance were followed by a performance from a local school choir, which, from the bits I could understand, featured song about all the different villages and communities that make up Sai Kung. Then came the serious bit, delegates and dignitaries were asked to face the screen (including those standing on the stage) so we could look at the Chinese flag as a mark of respect as the national anthem was played a full volume. There followed a couple of pleasantly short speeches welcoming everyone for coming and a few other bits I did not quite catch—as by then, I was at the limit of my Cantonese skills.

在9 月 29 日,當我小心翼 翼地踏入西貢賽馬會大會 堂,代表白沙灣遊艇會慶祝 中華人民共和國 72 歲周年 酒會,會堂內已開始舞龍舞 獅的表演。這與我在疫情前 參加過的區議會活動不同, 因疫情關係,每個人都戴著 口罩站著,不能坐下聊天。 在現場,工作人員舉牌提醒 大家在活動期間必須佩戴口 罩。從另一處趕來現場的 我滿頭大汗,趕緊找一個冷 氣較大的地方坐下,因為當 天酷日高照,氣溫高達32 度,我還身著本會的西裝外 套趕去活動現場。

在舞龍舞獅過後,便是本區 學校的合唱團的演出,他們 表演的歌曲內容圍繞關於 西貢不同村莊和社區。演出 結束後便是儀式,所有人包 括地區代表和區議會議員 面向台上的國旗(包括那些 站在舞台上的人),然後奏 國歌。儀式之後,便是地區 代表和區議會的歡迎致辭, 當中有些內容因粵語水平有 限,未能完全理解。

As the dignitaries lined up on the stage and popped a string full of red balloons to reveal five bright red and gold Chinese banners that read: 昌盛富強 (thriving and prosperous), 繁榮安 定 (flourishing and stable), 國運昌隆 (rising and invigorating), 物阜民康 (abundant and healthy), 欣欣向榮 (booming and growing). I thought briefly about Nena and her 99 from the 80s. Then, I came back to the future again.

After the speeches were done, I felt compelled to go and do the rounds and say hello to a few people—after all, I’d put my posh HHYC blazer on, complete with a China flag pin that Fansy helped me source especially for the event.

And, thinking I was the only Gweillo in the room, I soon accidentally stumbled upon Nigel Williams, Divisional Commander for Marine East Division of the HKPF. Flanked by his colleagues, whom I imagined would form very suitable bodyguards, it was my first time to meet Nigel, who turned out to be a thoroughly great person. First, we chatted about his former postings and his current role in Marine, then measures to enhance marine safety and possible future appearances at HHYC for safety enhancement and educational activities. Then we were ushered over for a photoshoot, each holding a little Instagramstyle cut-out of various Sai Kung icons like the church in Yim Tim Tsai and the Tin Hau Temple. Finally, rather fittingly, I was given a boat to hold for my groupfie.

當地區代表和議員在舞台上排成一排,彈出一串裝滿紅色氣球的氣球時,出現了五個鮮 紅色和金色的中文橫幅,上面寫著:昌盛富強、繁榮安定、國運昌隆、物阜民康和欣欣 向榮;這讓我突然回到 80 年代,想起歌星 Nena 的 99 Red Balloons。 然後,我又回到了 現實。

致辭結束後,我在活動現場走動,想多和在場嘉賓交流。畢竟,我為這次的活動精心 打扮,又是西裝外套,又在胸前別上一枚國旗的胸針,感謝 Fansy 專門為這次活動幫 我找來的。

初時以為我是當日出席人士裡唯一的「Gweillo」,但之後眼角一瞥,竟看到香港警務處 水警東分區指揮官Nigel Williams也在現場。這是我第一次見到Nigel本人,他非常平易近 人,在我們短暫的交流中,聊了他以前的職位和他目前在水警東分區的角色,他亦提到 加強海事安全的措施以及未來會和遊艇會聯繫,舉辦安全和教育活動。之後拍大合照的 時候,我們每個人都拿著一個代表西貢的地標或物件,比如鹽田梓的聖若瑟小堂。而我 拿到的是一艘船,再合適不過了。

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