Renaming Victoria Park

Victoria Park (維多利亞公園) will reach its 50th anniversary in October.

View large image Named after the statue of Queen Victoria (not the most attractive of monarchs) Victoria Park is over 19 hectares of well-used public space set smack in the center of Hong Kong Island.

If the government ever decided to change the park's name, I can think of several possible replacements based upon my observations within the grounds over the years:

· Feral Cat Field: spend any amount of time in the park and you're certain to see these critters scampering in and out of the bushes.

· Little Jakarta: most obvious during any given weekend. Indonesians can be readily identified by the circling flocks of South Asians who are either trying to sell them goods or to put the moves on them. At one time the park was the domain of Filipina domestic helpers, but these days most of them prefer to congregate in Central, a.k.a. Little Manila.

· Zealot Zone: if one doesn't encounter roving bands of hymn-singing, guitar-playing, tambourine-shaking, Jesus-shouting ladies; one is apt to pass through a clump of Falun Gong demonstrators predicting the imminent demise of the CCP, as mandated by Heaven; or be harassed by pairs of predatory Mormons or packs of tract-distributing Jehovah's Witnesses. Don't get me started on the fake Buddhists out panhandling for donations. The park is a religious smorgasbord.

· Weirdo Woodland: yes, every park on the planet has its share of whackos who walk about mumbling to themselves, but Victoria Park draws regulars, including one fellow who wanders a circuitous path in shorts and beach sandals. He always has an inscribed wooden Chinese sabre propped against one shoulder, while the other hand carries bags for collecting recyclables. Recently he added a jaunty red hardhat to his ensemble.

· Never Never Land: the park was refurbished from 2000 to 2002. Since then, I can't recall a time when some part of the park wasn't being ripped up, repaired or renovated. Is it a result of inferior building materials, shoddy workmanship or poor maintenance? Only the contractors know for sure. At this rate, the work will never be completed.

One might argue that as a Tai Chi practitioner among other groups also pursuing this form of exercise in the park, I should include the name Tai Chi Garden in this list.

I could, but that would be silly.

← Older Posts · 早前 | →