"Behind The Scenes"
For the next 10 weeks follow along as we go behind the scenes of Fred's Diary 1981.
Robert Fear takes us on his journey, as he travels in Asia taking daily notes in a diary.
This authentic look into his dairy has been extended by going behind the scenes with Robert as he reveals himself to us each week with an original inside look.
Fred's Diary 1981
Travels In Asia
by
Author Robert Fear
Behind The Scenes of
"First Impressions of Hong Kong"
with
"Pre-Travel Jitters"
written by Robert Fear
***
Brought To You
by
Rukia Publishing Book Promotions
"Pre-Travel Jitters"
With two days to go until I head off to Hong Kong the doubts and worries are worse than ever. I’ve never felt this way about my travels before. There has always been a sense of nervous anticipation during the days prior to setting off, but the feelings I am getting at the moment are much more intense than ever.
This trip has been a long time in the planning and I have managed to
save a fair amount of money working in the bank in Frankfurt, Germany for the
past fifteen months. I started as a messenger because of my lack of language
skills but within a couple of months I had secured a position in the accounts
department. The work was enjoyable, well-paid and rewarding. I also seemed to
get on well with my German colleagues.
After my first spell in Germany when I lived with Rita at her
parents’ house, this time I had my own flat and a lot more independence, which
I really enjoyed. I am already missing the great social life and the friends I
have made in that short time. There was a tearful farewell with Rita, my on-off
German girlfriend, who was very down when I left. I feel guilty about having been
so selfish and not spending more time with her during the past few months.
Since returning to England a week ago, I have been catching up with
family and friends and making final preparations for the biggest adventure of
my life. Maybe that is why I am so on edge, the fear of heading off into the
unknown. When I went on my four month trip around the US and Canada things were
a lot more familiar.
Although I have been trying to hide my true feelings from everyone
there was an occasion last weekend when I showed myself up. I was in London
with a couple of mates who I had met whilst in Germany. We went on a bit of a
pub crawl and had quite a few pints. Towards the end of the evening I got quite
emotional and was in floods of tears. I think my mates were quite embarrassed
and got me out of the pub and back to the place we were staying in double quick
time. No longer do they think of me as Fearless Freddy!
What am I worrying about? My bags are packed, my passport is in
order, and I have my £99 one way ticket to Hong Kong, plus enough money for at
least six months in Asia. I am sure once I am on that plane these negative emotions
will start to subside. First I need to get through these next two days though.
Maybe I’ll pop down to the local pub and have a couple of pints (although no
more) to try and steady my nerves.
http://www.abhk.org/ |
"First Impressions of Hong Kong"
An excerpt from Fred's Diary
I was soon outside and got my first taste of the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. Waited twenty minutes for a 201 bus to take me to Kowloon and sat dazed in the bus trying to take in the many sights amid the clamour of Chinese conversation, which to say the least is pretty loud.
After a ride of half an hour I got off the bus in Kowloon and within twenty minutes, with the help of a young Chinese woman, had located Chungking Mansions, a collection of supposedly cheap guest houses.
Eventually found a room free in one run by an old woman for HK$40. I tried knocking the price down for a longer stay but she wouldn't consider it. Being tired I decided to take it for one night and look around tomorrow for alternatives.
Got into the room and tried to get some rest. I got a couple of hours sleep disturbed by a TV being played loud in the next room. One thing I'm going to have to get used to here is noise. It is now 8:30 p.m. and I am going to go out in search of something to eat and drink.
I returned to the room just before midnight after a fascinating if bewildering wander around different parts of Kowloon. Lots of bright lights, scores of different shops and stalls, amazing contrasts between rich and poor, the swish tourist hotels near the waterfront compared with the slums and beggars in the backstreets.
Saw a few western faces but not many. Had a meal in McDonalds of all places as I couldn't pluck up courage to go into one of the Chinese restaurants. Feeling a bit lost and far from home but hopefully that will soon pass.
Fascinating time capsule from the 80’s
NEWLY RELEASED SECOND EDITION
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