There is little question that we often need a fresh set of eyes to help us appreciate what is in front of us here in Hong Kong.
After all, when an offer of free tickets to watch the world champions of soccer on a crisp holiday evening in a stunningly beautiful tadium with a bottomless supply of beer lands on your plate, most folks would be all over it like a hobo on a ham sandwich. But some of us yawn before checking their schedule. Well, as it turns out I was actually free so I grabbed my brother and dragged him to Hong Kong Stadium to watch the Brazilian national team play Hong Kong in the Carlsberg Cup over the Lunar New Year.
He stood in awe as we arrived at our seats. 'This is one of the most beautiful stadiums I have ever seen,' he said. Yeah, I suppose. Of course, you can't really blame him. Although he's been here off and on for the past five months, this is the first time he has had an opportunity to visit the stadium. Aside from a couple of Tsunami fundraisers featuring Canto-pop stars and a few soccer games, the grass has been growing largely undisturbed in Hong Kong Stadium. 'Can you imagine,' he asked, 'U2 playing in this stadium?'
'Only every minute of every day,' I replied. But concerts, in fact evening events, have been largely absent from the beautiful barn, which is how some nearby residents seem to like it. A few years back a couple of them complained about the noise at night from stadium events.
Because of those complaints the government suggested that in order to have concerts at the stadium, the promoters should give the crowd gloves to wear so the applause will be muted. Seriously, I am not drunk enough today to make this stuff up. And while it's not entirely true that this miniscule group of party poopers that makes up less than a percentage of a percentage of a percentage of the population is holding the stadium as well as seven million people here in Hong Kong hostage, it's not entirely wrong either.
Well, I hope the neighbours enjoy the view of the empty stadium because on the very rare nights when the great unwashed get to file in, a few folks appreciate the opportunity to enjoy the view as well.
While the house was little more than half full for the boys from Brazil, those who came won't soon forget the show. The exhibition proceeded despite the yelps of Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who criticised the match as a money-making exercise. And what exactly is your point here, Sepp? Of course it was a money-making exercise. Brazil don't come here to lose money. I am also sure the promoters didn't want to lose money either but, judging by the crowd, it appears they may have.