Community topics
Written by: Lu Nuojun
2021-05-30 08:00
Last update date: 2021-05-30 08:00
In the epidemic of the century, people seem to be far apart. In addition to flying kilometers, there are more than 14 days of isolation between various places. A foreign couple in Hong Kong chose to get married at this time. Under the epidemic, they Family members can only participate in the selection of wedding dresses and wedding papers.
The two have very different backgrounds. They came to Hong Kong because of their work relationship. They had already faced difficulties in identity and race when they fell in love. Because of their refugee status, their husbands are everywhere restrained in Hong Kong. No one knows what the prospects will be, but they are not discouraged. It is very difficult to live in Hong Kong after leaving home for my family. Seriously, it attracted me more in the early days of dating.” Scarlet put on wedding dresses for the shooting again two years later. Talking about the story of the two, it was unexpected. Ran's mouth raised, complimenting her husband.
(Both names in the text are pseudonyms)
Photography: Liao Yanxiong
The epidemic lasted for a long time, but Scarlet and her husband chose to marry during this period.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
Scarlet is a teacher from the United States who currently teaches in an international school. Her husband Walter is a refugee from Pakistan who has a university degree but cannot work in Hong Kong.
Two "foreigners" who didn't belong here, came to Hong Kong and met in a very modern way.
"We met on the dating app. We went to Tseung Kwan O to eat pancakes on our first date and spent 5 hours on the waterfront. He said a lot. In the end, I couldn't help but told him that I really want to go home. "Scarlet said with a smile.
Now 32-year-old Scarlet and 28-year-old Walter were born in large families. They came to Hong Kong alone in their early years. After they met, they hit it off. After dating for about two years, they decided to get married. "At the end of January 2019, we went to Langga Bay to hike and wait until sunset. He used a Pakistani traditional ring to propose to me. The rings are all golden. I can’t wear them to school; he gave me another ring two weeks later.” Scarlet pointed out that the epidemic made them get married faster, “We There are many family members, and the isolation period is very long. There is no reason to have everyone come here.” But because Walter could not leave Hong Kong, they could not go to get married outside of Hong Kong. “So we decided to just go to the marriage registry to sign papers and be present. There are two friends."
At first, no one helped me wear that nostalgic wedding dress at home, and I didn't want him (husband) to see it in advance, so I turned off the light and asked him to tie the knot for me in the dark, and show it to my family after I put it on.
American woman Scarlet
Mother sent the wedding dress back then to ensure surprise, and the husband needs to tie the knot for her in the dark
The two have different religions and languages. Fortunately, the families of both sides gradually accept it. This process is no longer easy. Is it even more difficult to get married under the epidemic?
Walter thinks, "It depends on what you want." He pointed out that they had a tacit understanding early on and were not interested in very large weddings and banquets. They just wanted to keep things simple.
One month after signing the paper appointment, they invited 18 friends to the restaurant for dinner. During the dinner, Scarlet wore Pakistani clothes, and also wore the wedding dress sent by her mother and worn that year, and a new set of wedding dresses. Combine the meaning of culture and family traditions.
During the dinner, the family members of both parties participated in the form of video, and each family member made a speech.
In addition, when Scarlet tried the wedding dress, he also used zoom to share the joy with his mother. “That nostalgic wedding dress, no one helped me wear it at home at first, and I didn’t want him (husband) to see it in advance, so I turned off the light and asked him to get dark. Tie the knot for me and show it to my family after putting it on." And the new wedding dress is tried and selected, and my mother is also allowed to "see" through the lens.
In addition to these, like most newcomers in Hong Kong, they are also troubled by epidemic prevention measures. "The arrangements for epidemic prevention are different from time to time. The time limit is four and sometimes six. The venue told us that there could be 20 people. We thought there could be another photographer. I was there with the videographer, but it turned out that they were also included in the number of guests.” In the end, they had to cancel the video recording service, losing money and getting no precious footage.
He came to Hong Kong because Pakistan had no freedom. He didn't expect it to be the same. We love this place, but who knows what will happen in the future?
American woman Scarlet
Lament that neither place has a free plan to move out of Hong Kong
The two said that they will soon move to a rural area in Saigon, waiting for Walter's refugee visa application.
"It's obviously very common. Many people in Pakistan will marry Hong Kong girls, but because of their status, they can't be talked about. It's actually very unfair." Scarlet said, knowing that many refugees who came to Hong Kong used to be doctors, A nurse, but now she can’t do anything, she can only live on a small amount of assistance; she also revealed that in the future, if her husband obtains a visa, he may plan to move out of Hong Kong. “He came to Hong Kong because Pakistan has no freedom. Same, we love this place, but who knows what will happen in the future?"
Although husbands are subject to refugee status in Hong Kong everywhere, no one knows how the prospects will be, but they are not discouraged.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
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