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62

Nov 26                    
[[strikethrough]]March 2[[/strikethrough]]

the theatre before the performance was in itself theatric. Vendors selling their wares - one outshouting  other - nuts, cakes, oranges, shelled slices of grapefruit, chestnuts - bananas - etc.

The large hall, the theatre with one balcony 3/4 around it - badly lit - stone floors covered with refuse - & smelling to high heaven, small wooden seats - a theatre for peasants.

A tattered, dirty old dark green cotton curtain pin on one side to show 5 musicians - western dress - no jackets, nonchalantly smoking while making some kind of noise resembling music.

The opera stars, in make up & tone - like our own. Burlesque in costumes gleaming with spangles - Vulgarity of it all -


63        

Sat. Nov. 27.
[[strikethrough]]March 3[[/strikethrough]]

made a tour alone of Kowloon (which cost me all told $4.00 H.K. or 65 cents instead of paying the travel bureau 50.00 H.K. dollars)

Took train to Fanling - the farthest one is permitted to go near the border - [[strikethrough]] Above [[/strikethrough]] Beyond is Red China. Then bus back to Taipo & spent 20 minutes in the markets, watching the farmer peasants shopping their wares. Barefoot on dirt & muddy roads - Black coolie costumes - Sun Hats [[hat image]] like lamp shades with material ruffled round to protect from sun. Toothless or unsightly gold teeth. Children with scabs all over their shaved heads All life out on the streets.

They squat [[image]] to eat or rest.