- The Great Hong Kong Street "Medicine Show" -
Often when you walk in the streets
of Hong Kong, you will have a great chance to experience different events
or happenings from "another world"!
Like for example the "show"
performed in the following picture series.
1973-16-064
Nathan Road
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
I had decided to take a walk without any special destination - - - just a walk along Nathan Road, - see picture above -, to Yau Ma Tei, where I would enjoy the back streets - - - -
1973-16-067
Tin Hau Temple
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
In Yau Ma Tei, - just a few
steps away from hustling bustling Nathan Road -, you are already in another
world.
Here you will find the Tin
Hau temple - - - -
1973-16-067
Tin Hau Temple
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
At the square in front of the
temple to the honour of Tin Hau, - a crowd was assembled - - - -
Obviously something unusual
was going on, since people gathered like that.
1973-16-075
A doctor preparing his act
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
A man, - obviously some sort
of doctor -, was telling the audience about his wonder medicine, - and
he must have done well, since the surrounding people seemed to be just
as fascinated and spellbound by the show as I was.
This was obviously something
special, - and well suited for my camera -, but for some reason I did NOT
bring any, which for me is a highly unusual situation, because I rarely
go anywhere without a camera.
But it looked so exiting, that
I decided to go back home again to get a camera, and then hurry back, in
the hope that the "show" was still on when I returned.
Luckily enough I lived in nearby
Tsimshatsui, which enabled me quickly to be back at the Tin Hau temple,
- and fortunately enough, the doctor was still there, - and my camera was
put to work - - - -
1973-16-073
- the show is on -
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
Apparently the doctor demonstrated some sort of medicine that could kill pain,- because in the most impressive of his demonstrations, he beat himself with bricks and with sticks,- and tried to smash his arm and leg with iron bars!
1973-16-074
- a demonstration -
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
He might not be a particular
good doctor,- but he was for sure a great actor, who in no time he managed
to get full control over his audience!
Please have a look,- and take
note of the expression in the faces of the audience!
They take it VERY serious,-
and are VERY concentrated!
1973-16-076
- and how he could talk -
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-16-077
- and talk -
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-16-078
- and talk - while the audience
is spellbound -
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-16-079
- more talking, - more demonstrations
- , - more fascination of audience -
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-16-080
- a Chinese doctor -
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
On the picture above, - please take note of the doctors gear: Wooden sticks, - iron bars and bricks, - all used for hurting himself.
1973-16-081
- here preparing to hurt himself
with iron bars -
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-16-082
- And here we go! Some heavy
blows at his leg -
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-16-084
- preparing and demonstrating
his medicine after hurting himself -
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-16-085
- See!!! It's working!
No pain! -
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
1973-16-086
- The demonstration is over,
- and the shop opens for sale of the wonder medicine -
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
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Updated: October 31. 2000, - Nov. 26th. 2004, - March 04. 2011