Above: When I traveled to China in 1984, it was officially open only to government-sanctioned group tours. But there were rumors that you could buy a tourist visa at Chungking Mansions, a crumbling Hong Kong fire-hazard warren of restaurants, travel agencies, rooming houses; “massage parlors,” and bizarrely, a grimy office on an upper floor that was an outpost of China’s Department of Agriculture. You had to leave your passport there for a few days, hoping the whole thing wasn’t a scam, and return with cash in exchange for an official stamp allowing travel in China.
It's marvellous that you've preserved & restored so many of these ancient photos; 1982, I think. The Chinese men are less hefty than their VT cousins, but trouser colour persists across time & continent!
Even knowing you for so long I am still amazed at your youthful courage, traveling in places and taking chances which to me looked terrifying at the time and even more so now.
Love the similarity in the feeling of these photos from different times and way different cultures.
Oh -- what a stroll down memory lane! There should be a book of Chungking Mansions Memories put together by past guests. I remember an advertisement for an astrologer doing readings on the 16 floor however, there wasn't a 16th floor, that was the roof! Loved that notice.
It's marvellous that you've preserved & restored so many of these ancient photos; 1982, I think. The Chinese men are less hefty than their VT cousins, but trouser colour persists across time & continent!
Even knowing you for so long I am still amazed at your youthful courage, traveling in places and taking chances which to me looked terrifying at the time and even more so now.
Love the similarity in the feeling of these photos from different times and way different cultures.
L&M was a neat little diner. I loved it and their food was great plain old diner food.
Oh -- what a stroll down memory lane! There should be a book of Chungking Mansions Memories put together by past guests. I remember an advertisement for an astrologer doing readings on the 16 floor however, there wasn't a 16th floor, that was the roof! Loved that notice.
What a great adventure to be in China at that time. You should write a book.
Your work and stories continue to be such a gift. Thank you!