In search of some Christmas spirit and a poinsettia free zone we made our way to the St Stephen's Christmas Fete last Saturday where we were delighted to discover the essential bouncy castle as well as various stalls with homemade cakes, second hand books and games for the children.
The highlight was a visit from Father Christmas in his helicopter and a large crowd had gathered to see him land. The helicopter approached and whisked up such a cloud of billowing dust that each and every one of the spectators was rendered incapable of watching.Father Christmas emerged and waved briefly to the crowd before climbing into an open-top Porsche with two leggy elves and being whisked off to a far away grotto. That’s not Father Christmas, said our two year old. He hasn’t got a fat tummy. He hasn’t got a sleigh or any reindeer either, I was about to add, but thought better of it. This is Hong Kong after all, full of bling, helicopters and sports cars. And sleighs are so last century.
The fete continued under the warm winter sunshine and we continued to pick the grass out of our hair as we watched a funny man stretch a rubber glove over his head and balance a glass of water on his chin. Then came drummers and Chinese dragons and finally a rather elderly family of acrobats who juggled and spun plates and even managed a handstand or two, all with the speed and gentility befitting their age.
The fete continued under the warm winter sunshine and we continued to pick the grass out of our hair as we watched a funny man stretch a rubber glove over his head and balance a glass of water on his chin. Then came drummers and Chinese dragons and finally a rather elderly family of acrobats who juggled and spun plates and even managed a handstand or two, all with the speed and gentility befitting their age.Full of Christmas cheer we wandered off to the market to find a Christmas tree and selected a tall and bushy specimen. How will we get it home? wondered the Domestic God, as he surveyed our chosen purchase. They deliver, I told him, This is Hong Kong!
3 comments:
I very much hope that your Christmas cards have snow and robins on them! A velly melly Chlistmas!!
Is that a dragon in the last photo?
Poinsettias always remind me of Hong Kong - they used to be everywhere. This year they seem to be more popular in this country too - either there is a glut or they are a cheap, credit crunch option compared to expensive twigs and berries.
I think we also went to the St Stephens fete in 1980-something...I remember the day slightly spoilt when my dad bought a hot dog and bit into it to find a sticking plaster!
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