YOGAYUGA

Old lady: Good Afternoon! Lately, I found some fruits missing. I saw you walking in, so I just followed you. Oh!…I am sorry to disturb you. (she said with smile)

Me: Oh! I come here occasionally. My mum asked me to pay our respects sometimes. I didn’t take any fruits at all.

Old lady: Oh! I am sorry to disturb you. No, no, no…I don’t mean you…

Me: It’s alright……don’t worry about it!

She still smiled, and left……

There is a little local temple in my village, which has over 100 years of history. It’s one of the well known local historical architectures in H.K. It’s nothing religious. It’s actually part of the traditional custom of people who originally live in this village. People pay for their respects by visiting from time to time. My mum said since we live in this village, we should pay our respects by visiting sometimes. The old lady who lives in a house, where is very near to that little temple. She saw me walking in, so she followed me. I guess she thought I was the one, who took the fruits inside the temple. It’s a Chinese custom that people like placing fruits in the temple for paying their respects. I guess the lady’s fruits had been taken by people who walked pass. She wanted to know who did such things. It must be people who live in the village. After I got out, it was interesting that she was still outside the temple. She wanted to talk to me. She apologised again for her mistaken thought. I told her I live in here. I also told her that my dad does bring her old newspaper and magazines from time to time. She realised immediately who I am. She said she knows my dad and mentioned my mum is a very nice person. She asked me if I am their eldest daughter or the youngest one. I told her I am the eldest. She told me she is very pleased that I do visit their temple. It means that I do respect the people who are originally from this village. The temple is their historical heritage. She found very rare that outsider would visit village’s heritage. This lady is from this village originally. She does collect old magazines and newspaper to sell to recycling collector. This is what many old people do in HK especially for those who live in the village. It’s one of their ways to spend their time. Money earning may not be the major purpose.

We are not originally from the village we live in. We bought house, and moved in. Village people have their own culture and traditional custom. It’s a good way that outsiders should understand and respect how original village people behave. Most of them are very simple and conservative, especially the elderly. If you respected their tradition, they would respect you in return. If you did something to harm their village, they would be against you together.

I am not surprise that she was curious about me. Outsiders usually are not interested in village’s heritage. Well, I am always capable adapted into others’ culture and tradition no matter where I am. I am happy to do so. ^_^