Today is Mother’s Day in the US and I’ve been making the rounds with my kids while poor Tom has to make his own rounds at work. I never pass up an opportunity to reflect on the past, so I took this time to think about my recent trip to Hong Kong and all I’ve experienced over the last 20+ years.
In other words, what’s changed four cities, two marriages, and three children later?
This photo was taken in the summer of 1991, as I completed my first year in Hong Kong.
And this a few weeks ago.
Again, 1991.
And two weeks ago.
I can’t complain about any of it.
Happy Mother’s Day, whether you’re remembering or honoring your mother.
One thing that certainly hasn’t changed is your youthful beauty!
You’re too kind, Judy! Thanks for the comment!!
Susan, like your mother I was in Hong Kong in 1962 while I was a Marine communications analyst aboard the carrier, Bon Homme Richard. We had come through the Cuban Missile Crisis in October when I was busy analyzing Soviet radar communications related to theirs and our aircraft. It was a busy time I will never forget.
I took many pictures all over Asia when on leave or liberty, but lost them in a storage locker many years later. The pictures your mother took coincide with the amazing city I was privileged to visit lo those many years ago and I have added them to the personal album of my life and I am ever so grateful to have them. I have cleaned up much of the grime and dirt as best I could and would be glad to share these “clean” versions with you. Semper Fidelis,
David
Thank you so much, David! I will post your cleaned up photos soon! I’m so sorry yours were lost. That must be heart-breaking. I, too, lost my the 100 slides I took on my first trip to China in 1988. It wasn’t 1962, but China has changed a ton since the late 80s. If only I’d kept better tabs on them!
Wishing you a happy mother’s day! And you really do look even better in the more recent photos than the past ones — a certain radiance, or even confidence you have about you. In any event, nice photos and wish you the best.
Thank you so much! You’re too kind! I was upset about leaving Hong Kong in the 1991 photos. And in the recent ones, I was thrilled to be back, but very happy with my life in the US, too. That’s the difference between being 20 and 41!
Well, it’s perpetually hazy here – a combination of humidity, population density and plain pollution.
It’s gotten to where you can’t see the stars at night – between the atmospheric haze and the Visual Light Pollution, I’m lucky to make out Venus.
Wow, that’s sad. I’ve heard that industry is cheaper in Vietnam and Cambodia, so many factories are leaving China to go Southeast. Maybe that’ll ease up the pollution a bit in China?
Somehow I doubt it, the damage is pretty much already done.
Case in point, the much vaunted “Eco City” near Tianjin which already can’t meet the emissions/pollution standards because it’s built over the top of the remains of heavy industrial sites.
Add in the very relaxed attitude towards industrial safety laws, pollution laws and law in general (interesting in a country which has recently been heavily using the phrase “rule of law” to describe itself in the media), and you get a place where the birds won’t fly, and the fish can’t swim….
Yeah, you’re right. I was shocked to read about the different levels of pollution throughout China and to learn that Guangzhou is quite low on the list. Shanghai is the highest, but other northern cities are much worse than Guangzhou. I assumed the south was the worst because of the factories there.
How is it that in 20 years, you look thinner… and I’ve gotten wider?
Sod this aging game for a lark!
“Look” is the key, but I’m not thinner than I was back then. I’m amazed that Hong Kong was that overcast all those years ago. People say it’s polluted from the factories over the border now, but I suppose it has always had its hazy days.