Some observations and experiences are attractive that are happening behind the scenes. Also, some dialogue with others didn't record on machines, so I document it in text.

 

Tsuen Wan

When I arrived at Man Fung, all staffs are very busy, and customers are coming for shopping gradually. I grasp the chance to ask permission from the boss. She approves and requests me don't take photos of the staff's face. I am really nervous, and some customers are looking at me, some staffs are walkthrough in front of me busily. After I finished my work, I asked the boss to take a portrait photo, and she chats with me for a while when she was making dumplings.

​

Next, I went to Chu Kei. I ask permission for shooting and recording. The woman approves and requests me to take a student card to confirm my identity. After that, she continues cooking lunch. During the shooting, an old man buys goods and chat with the old staff. They indicate their age, that old man says he is already 90 ages, and the old staff mentions he is already 60. Unfortunately, he has been injured leg, neighbors are really concern and worry about him. Before I left, I chat with the boss. I ask the history of this shop, and she smiles and laments. The shop has already 20 years since Fuk Loi Estate was built. It is luck that the property rights belong to the government instead of the developers. Otherwise, she must lose the shop.

​

Indeed, the chat is important for me to get involved, relax, and enjoy the process. Before the shooting, I tell myself that I should connect and interact with people in this project. I have considered don't introduce shops before, because I believe this is some kind of promotion. However, I find some missing things if I introduce street view only. The missing part is people who living here. If I present street view in the virtual tour only, it loses human touch, temperature, and memories. Therefore, I decided to introduce shops in different places. Communication is beneficial for me to understand the shop, people, or street that I am introduced to audiences. The information from chats cannot be found on the internet.

​

Tai Po

When I arrived at Grandma's tofu pudding shop in the afternoon, all staff are non-stop working. I visited here and asked permission before, so one of the staff can recognize me. Some customers walk in for a seat. They are curious about what I am doing. Many people come to take away tofu pudding and soy milk during the shooting process. Because the staffs are on duty, I didn't chat with them, and they are really concentrated on their work. Both staffs have team spirit and familiar with the working process. When I finish the shooting, the shop is already sold out of all tofu pudding! I am shocked with the sale amount, and the sale result proves this well-known brand.

​

The remaining places are also challenging. For instance, when I arrived at Tai Po Complex at lunchtime, many people were finishing their lunch. I always remind myself to be cheeky and forget people's curious gaze. I stand at the aisle, put the camera on my head, and focus on the camera setting. After all camera shots are done, I also had my lunch here. On the contrary, Kwong Fuk Bridge is the most comfortable shooting location. Here, you can enjoy the fantastic cityscape. People flow much less than Tai Po Complex. People who pass by are don't care what I am doing. People riding a bicycle and people who are dragging the trolley all appeared. I can capture what I desired smoothly.

​

Wong Tai Sin

In the second location, I visited the cooked food stall(冬菇亭). This is a unique facility of Hong Kong public housing. It is designed as a small square building with a spire. Because its appearance seems like a mushroom, people called it "冬菇亭." The first cooked food stall is built at Oi Man Estate, and it's exist showing the lifestyle of people in that generation. It is operated as a Dai Pai Dong. Most cooked food stalls are refurbished, power systems and hygiene ahs improved. However, affected by the pandemic and social development, I am worried about its existence and how we preserve the traditional food culture.

​

Moving to the next place, and I stand for an hour, buses pass in front of me non-stop. People are gone and come, repeat daily. A hawker fried chestnuts and another hawker sells clothes. I always think about everyone who lives in Hong Kong. People are hard-working on work for a livelihood, for family, for the future, for the one we loved. When I saw the Lion Rock backward, I remind the spirit of Lion Rock (獅子山精神). Now a day, I still agree with Hong Kong people who are hardworking, desire self-improvement, and indomitable spirit. This artwork is not only showing the livelihood but also the value and belief behind it.

 

Yau Ma Tei

The fruit market is the most challenging location that I conducted before. There have three reasons that I feel nervous: the area is a narrow aisle where difficult to capture images and sounds. To avoid causing inconvenience for people, I cannot record materials accurately. Also, people pass-by from both sides, they feel curious, and a bit complains about me. Some sellers were also resentful of why I stand in front of their stall. So, I try my best to finish this checkpoint as soon as possible and make sure I do not decrease those materials' quality. I have considered that taking photos and recording sounds at a corner should better comfortable and easier. However, this is not what I desire. I wish to capture a sense of tension and presence. Thus, I have mentally prepared to come here and been scolded by someone I don't know.

 

Compare to the jade market, people in the jade market are fairly gentle. I believe that people flow much less than the fruit market, and sellers won't disgust with me. I observe that sellers are friendly with each other. If a shop owner has an urgent case, others will take the place of the storekeeper temporarily. Sellers guard their goods silently and provided nice service. Overall, it is good to be here.
 

Causeway Bay

Enter in Jardine's Crescent, and I visit the open area market. There have amount goods surrounded me. It is luck that I haven't got rebuked by the shop owner even though I block the road sometimes. When I took the last shot, a man is curious about what tool I am taking. We have a short chat.

​

Move to the next destination, Canal Road Flyover. I decided to experience Villain hitting. I follow the instructions from the villain hitter, writing down the name and birth date on the Fulu(符籙) and Zhi Jiao(擲筊). Next,  I throw other implements in the fire. The villain hitter started to hit human-shaped papers. I think the process is new for me. Even though it is fast, it is solemn and serious. Before I left, the villain hitter chats with me for a while. She said that many foreigners come for villain hitting. This custom is new to them, every year of 5 of March, people will gather in here. The Huye(虎爺) will all-day standby to help believers.

​

Central

When people talking about Central, most of you may associate it with an energetic commercial with skyscrapers. However, I take audiences to visit the Dai Pai Dong here. You may hear Sing Heung Yuen before, and it is a classic Hong Kong restaurant in an alleyway. It has not much pretty decoration. The main structure is built by bracket and adjustable tent. The signature tomato noodle soup and crispy buns with lemon and honey. I wait for a seat in 5 minutes and order a tomato noodle with ham and luncheon meat. The taste is not bad, most people coming here for a fast and cheap lunch. It cannot often see a Dai Pai Dong appear in high consumption district.

​

Apart from Dai Pai Dong, Graham Street Market is also well-known and one of the oldest markets located in Central. The most significant difference between Graham Street Market and other outdoor markets is building on a ramp, and sellers can basically communicate with foreigners. I stay on the narrow ramp, ignore people's sight. I am embarrassed that I create inconvenience for others. I want to present a sense of tension and presence for audiences. Thus, I adhere to take pictures on the narrow slope. People who pass-by are really close to me, some residents bought eggs, and some of them bought vegetables. Another reason that I choose here is the colorful scene. The vegetables, red plastic bags, green wooden stall, etc. are attracted my attention. I believe Graham Street Market has many stories and features, so it is worth to be recorded.