Ma Tau Wai Village is the oldest public housing estate in the Kowloon City district now. It is the place that I am familiar with and full of memories Although it consists of only five 14 floor high buildings, it is well designed. Each building is named after different flowers name like roses, daffodils, and sunflowers.
My uncle lived in the Hibiscus House, and we often visited them with our parents. My sisters and I loved playing paper dolls with interchangeable clothes with our cousin. And another cousin would also teach us his funny poems modified from Tang poetry. When other relatives visited, the small flat became even livelier. Playing mahjong was the adults’ way of socializing, while us cousins moved to the corridor, playing board games (such as checkers or Monopoly) and drawing hopscotch. Sometimes, our activities extended to the long corridor outside the units, where we played collective games like “red light, green light.” Meanwhile, my aunt chatted with my mother in the kitchen, cooking delicious dishes, and the elders dined together at the big table, while we kids had our meal at the smaller table, everyone enjoying the food with gusto.
Despite the cramped space, the flat was filled with warmth and cheerfulness. Outside, you could hear laughter mingling with the noise from the television inside the units. Looking back, it brings back nostalgic feelings.
