Diary+Entry+2+(AN)

November 14th 1939 Dear Diary, The many years of searching for a job has finally paid off! I found a job that almost satisfied my expectations. The salary is decent and I can pay a reasonable amount of my salary to my parents who are in southern China. Unfortunately, finding a good job came with one significant disadvantage. I had to move to Hong Kong. I’ve never been to Hong Kong before, but I heard it was better than Nanking for sure. Nervous yet determined, I packed my possessions in a small suit case, put on my hat, and headed for a port to ride the boat that took the passengers half way between Nanking and southern China through the ocean. The port was crowded with Chinese civilians ready to flee the country. For some, to seek a better job opportunity and for others, just fleeing the country to avoid invasion.

I arrived at the port of Hong Kong, clueless about the area. One thing I felt as soon as I stepped on the dirt of Hong Kong, it felt more secure compared to back home. The people seemed less worried and depressed and more conversation more going around amongst people. As I was searching and asking people for directions I came across this old wrinkly man around the age of 50? I asked the old Hong Kong gentlemen for some directions, however I clearly saw in his face that he looked busy and wanted to avoid me. Nonetheless, I still approached this old man with dignity and asked him some directions. He looked at me like I was nuts and didn’t quite say the response that I expected. Later, I realized he was not from Hong Kong which proves why he couldn’t give me some directions to my new working place. Walking around the streets, I saw many foreign faces, the faces of white men. Probably British. I wasn’t exposed to too much news about Hong Kong, but I quickly learned that those white men were stationed in Hong Kong to “watch over the land.” Later I realized Hong Kong was no different than Nanking.