Princess Catherine: Princess Margaret Road
第二章---公主道
Chapter 2: Princess Margaret Road
走出教堂，又回到孤身一人的狀態後，我臉上的笑容便消失了。我沒有立即回家，而是百感交集地走往後山，不捨地四處流連一下，畢竟這是我在地方住的最後一天了。Chapter 2: Princess Margaret Road
Walking out of the chapel, I’m alone once again and the smile fades from my face. I don’t want to go home yet. Instead, I walk up to the hill behind. Couldn't bear to leave here, I wander around. Today’s my last day living here after all.
隔壁是一座天主教堂，裡面的人很友善，我們之間不時互有交流，和平共處了許多個春秋。天主堂的上方是恩主教書院，我在教會中的大部份同輩都是讀這所學校的。遙望著這所學校，我心知從明天起，我便要與他們分道揚鑣了。
Beside where I stand is a Catholic church. Folks there are friendly. We are often in touch, peacefully together. Above the church sits Valtorta College. Most of my buddies at the church study there. Looking at that school from far, I’ve realized that we will be separated from tomorrow onwards.
途著山徑一直走，我來到運頭角遊樂場–滿載著我童年回憶的地方。
Walking along the path, I’ve reached Wan Tau Kok Playground, which is full of my childhood memories .
我閉上雙眼，感慨地感受著這裡周圍的一切。大埔，這是我長大的地方，亦是港九十八區中我最愛的區份，我明天就要搬離這地方了，希望以後一切順利吧。
I close my eyes and feel the surroundings. Tai Po, where I grew up in, my favorite out of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. I have to move tomorrow and I hope that everything would be fine.
我走到大埔街市附近買了兩個三餸飯盒便乘小巴回到洞梓的家中。兩個飯盒一個給我，另一個是給弟弟的。呵呵，母親不知正在哪位朋友家的麻雀桌上大殺三方，哪有空管我們的晚餐?
I get 2 rice boxes in Tai Po Market, one for me and one for my younger brother. Then I take a minibus to get back to where I live- Tung Tsz. Having so many mahjong battles to fight, my mother has no time to play chef at home.
......
晚上十點多，在朋友家竹戰完的母親終於回到家中。她對我們喊道：「執好哂你地啲野未啊？聽朝一起身就要搬架啦！」
It’s 10 o’clock at night and our responsible mother has finally returned home from her battles with honor. She yells,“Have you packed your stuffs yet? We have to move tomorrow!”
我從出生起便一直跟家人住在洞梓，這裡既可以說是草木扶疏、鳥語花香的郊區，亦可以說是叫天不應，叫地不靈的荒山野嶺。這偏僻的深山緲無人煙，只是週末時會有帶著青春活力的童軍成群結隊地走進來，才能暫時沖淡一下這死寂的氣氛。
(注：香港童軍總會在洞梓設有一營地)
I’ve been living in a place called “Tung Tsz” since I was an infant with my family. It is a beautiful countryside, or you can translate it as some isolated place. This hill is not well populated, quiet in most days. This place is less boring only when scouts come in packs during weekends.
(Note: The Hong Kong Scout Association has a Camping facility in Tung Tsz)
家中有駕駛執照和私傢車的就只有父親一人，他一週才回家一兩次，所以他載我們出行的機會是少之又少。這十多年來，我們就靠一輛「山區希望小巴」與市區保持聯繫，獲取生活物資的補給，以及確保我這山區人能接受教育，不致於與社會脫節。
My father is the only person to have a driver’s license and a car. But he rarely comes home, there is little chance he can take us a ride. For about ten years, our only connection to the town is by a “Hope bus for the wasteland”. It’s the only way we get daily supplies, education, and keep ourselves relatively up-to-date with the society.
父親多年在外打拼，存下了不少錢，終於成功在沙田市中心區的某私人樓宇內購置了一個單位，也就是大家俗稱的「私樓」。而令我們一家感到欣慰的，是該樓宇是一棟位於沙田市中心的商場樓，與沙田鐵路站無縫連接！這無疑是把我們整家人從交通的窘境中解脱出來。
After a few years of hard work, father has finally been able to afford a flat in Shatin, a private housing flat. The greatest relief is that the flat is in the middle of Shatin Town Centre, only a short walk from the railway station! This has made us much easier to travel around.
我當然是對自己在大埔所有過的一切感到萬分不捨，但同時亦對將來感到有點兒期待。始終我這山區長大的人能有機會住在火車沿線的市中心，這機會來之不易啊。
Leaving my hometown makes me so nostalgic, but a part of me still looks forward to the new life. I could finally move to somewhere with direct rail connection. It’s not something you can expect everyday, is it?
懷著這樣忐忑的心情，我便沉沉地睡去了......
With my mind battling, I fall asleep...
翌日
The next day
這天一早父親便駕車回到家中，我們整家忙了一整天後，終於把所有東西搬入新的家中。這新家裝修精美，父親疲累地坐在沙發上。難得看到全家人同在一廳中，我真想自己能有多些這樣的時光。
Father drives back home in the morning. After a whole day’s work, we’ve finally moved all things to our new home. The flat’s decoration is so delicate. Father sits on the sofa resting. What a lovely rare sight with all family members gathered together in a living room.
只可惜母親和弟弟並不是在跟我想著同樣的事。母親向父親拿了些錢後便興奮地出門了，或許比起這個家，麻雀桌更能帶給她喜悅及幸福。弟弟則是寄情於美術上，他從打包的行李中取出自己的畫具便走進房間。轉眼間，廳中只剩下我和父親兩人了，我內心的空虛感難以形容。
However, my mother and brother have no desire to cherish this moment. Mother would leave merrily with father’s cash for her exciting mahjong game rather than staying in this “boring” home. Brother, in the other hand, cares about his art only. He takes out his painting tools from his baggage, then walk into his room. In a few moments, the living room has become dead silent and once again, there are only me and my father left here. Like a black hole is sucking every thought in my mind, I’m speechless.
父親走到弟弟的房門前，心平氣和地說道：「阿德，大家三仔爺一齊出去食飯好冇?」
Father goes in my brother’s room, asks calmly, “Tak, wanna eat together, three of us?”
「我唔出啦，你地食完是但打包啲野番黎得啦。」：弟弟一邊調著水彩，一邊背對著我們答話，我們連他的樣子都看不到。
“I’ll pass, just pack me some food when you come back.” brother answers while mixing the paint. We can’t even get to see his face.
父親失落地轉過身來，對我黯然道：「咁我地行啦，阿銓。」
Father turns towards me. Disappointed he says, “Let’s go, Vergil.”
一開始我明白弟弟因我離開他們的教會而遷怒於我，把我當作「叛教者」般冷待，他有此反應這我能理解，畢竟大家都是性情中人。但近這一年來他對家中其他人的態度冷淡得實在是過份了，我心中開始對他感到十分不滿。
I could understand brother’s anger at the first place that I left their church. As I was an “Apostate person” to him, he had every right to be discontent with me. But he’s been so ignorant to other family members for the past year, now I start to have mixed feelings towards him.
穿好鞋子走出家門後，我不屑地冷道：「咁巴之閉，望都唔想望下咁款，就咪叫人買野比你食，自己搞掂吖笨。」
Leaving the flat as I have worn my shoes, I snarl, “Free food delivery and no-show, how convenient! If you’re so high-class that you don’t even want to look at us, why even ask us to get you food?”
父親按下升降機的按鈕，嘆道：「算啦，唔好咁講啦。」
Father presses the lift button, sighs, “Leave him alone son, give him some space.”
父親駕著轎車，我坐在他旁邊，我問道：「我地去邊食啊?」
Father drives the car and I sit beside him. I ask, “Where are we going?”
「你知唔知你以後要起何文田番學啊?」：父親問道
Instead he asks in return, “Do you know you have to study in Ho Man Tin from now on?”
「下!咁遠?!」：我愕然道
“What? That’s like miles away!” I’m surprised.
「就去果頭食啦，順便帶你熟下路。」：父親微笑說
“Let’s eat over there then. You can familiarize yourself with that place, too.” Father smiles at me.
父親是生意人，因為工作關係，需要在中港澳三地間穿梭，而在香港裡他經常要走遍十八區，所以他對這座城市的道路可是十分的熟悉。
My Father is a businessman. Due to the job nature, he has to drive around all districts in Hong Kong. He is a living compass in Hong Kong.
父親駕著車穿過獅子山隧道，經過九龍塘後，便來到了目的地–何文田。
After passing through the Lion Rock Tunnel and Kowloon Tong, we arrived at Ho Man Tin.
我從車內看出去，這裡跟我們之前住的地方一樣是青山綠樹，環境幽美，但這裡有學校、屋邨和運動場，真是個好地方啊。
I looked behind the car window. This place is as green as where we used to live. It has a fantastic environment also with schools, housing villages and a sports ground. Such a lovely place.
我看著前方那一大群綠色的樓，好奇道：「咦，幾得意喎，呢到邊到黎架?」
I see a group of green residential buildings in front, I ask curiously, “This is an interesting place. Where is this?”
「愛民邨囉。」：父親答道
“Oi Man Estate.” Father replies.
哦，平常在路上不時會看到有「往 愛民」的巴士，原來是這裡。
Oh, I sometimes see busses showing “To: Oi Man”, so this is where they’re going.
父親減速行駛，指著前方說：「拿，你認住呢到係加油站，前面有個巴士站，你平時就起屋企樓下沙田火車站搭170搭到呢個站落車，然後咁兜番去就到學校啦。」
Father slows down the car, pointing in front of him, “Alright, remember that fuel station. When you take the bus route 170 at Sha Tin railway station, you will get off there. A short stroll around will get you to the school.”
啊，這裡每條路都差不多啊，又沒有什麼店舖，怎麼記啊？
What? All the roads here look the same to me. How can I remember it without any shop or attraction?
就在我苦惱之時，前方的一個路牌吸引了我的目光，因為這牌上寫著「公主道」三個字。這麼浪漫的名字啊，我倒是記住了。
As I’m worrying about that, a road sign catches my attention- “Princess Margaret Road”. Well, such a romantic name. That’s a lot more catchy.
父親駕車在附近繞了兩圈後便找到了位置泊車，我們吃過晚餐，外帶了一些東西給弟弟阿德，便回家梳洗就寢了，父親明天還要工作，我明早也要去新的場館練跆拳道。
Father drives around the area before parking the car. We’ve had our dinner and bought my brother something to eat. We return home early because father has to work and I have to practice taekwondo at the new dojo tomorrow morning.
翌日
The following day
吃過早餐後，我便出門前往新的場館練習跆拳道。一下樓就是食肆、便利店、藥房、文具店......一應俱全的商場，這感覺夢幻得有點不太真實呢，呵呵。
After having breakfast, I leave home heading to the new dojo. Now I can go to restaurants, pharmacies, stationery shops and convenient stores next to my home. It’s like living in the dream. Haha!
我在沙田鐵路站巴士總站乘上170號巴士。如父親昨天所指示，看到加油站後我便下了車，然後從口袋中拿出梁Sir寫給我的那張記住地址的小紙條。
So I get on the bus as what my father told me yesterday and get off at the fuel station. Then I take out the note Master Leung gave me with the address of the dojo.
「石鼓街......」：我看了看這個地址，然後看了看周圍，頓時一頭霧水。這裡只有樹和幾個寫著「公主道」的路牌。
“Shek Ku Street…” I glance at the address and look around. I'm confused. Here I can only see trees and a few signs showing “Princess Margaret Road”.
等等，糟了!父親昨天所說的是回學校路線，我現在要去那位於教會頂層的體育場，而不是上學啊!唉啊，真是大意。希望這裡離那場館也不是太遠吧。
Hold on. Oh no! This is the way to school, not the dojo! I’m going to the sportsground at the top of the chapel, not the school! Oh silly me! I hope the place is not too far away from here.
我嘗試截停路人問路，但他們的回答都是「不知道」，這下麻煩了。
I decide to ask the pedestrians for directions, but I didn’t get anything except “I don’t know”. This is bad.
然而，就在我困惑時，我的目光不禁停留在前方一位正與我相向而行的路人......
However, just when I am confused, a person who’s walking toward me has caught my attention.
這位女孩身穿白色的短袖衫和藍色的牛仔長褲，衣著十分純樸，一頭深棕色的長髮被紮成馬尾。她低頭走在路上，這仿似憂鬱的儀態使她充滿神秘感。
She’s girl in a white t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, modest and pure. Her dark-brown hair is made a lovely ponytail. The girl walks with her head bowing, full of melancholy and mystery.
我走上前去，而我向她走得越近，內心便越感到一種特別的感覺，覺得這女孩很奇妙，但又無法形容出來。
I walk towards her, a special feeling emerges as I close in. This girl is so unique that there’s no word to describe how I'm feeling at this moment.
……
「Hey，唔好意思!」：我對她說
“Hey, excuse me?” I ask.
她一抬起頭來，我才得以看清她的容貌。這女孩大概與我同齡，她額前留著斜瀏海，長著一雙水靈靈的大眼晴，肌膚雪白晶瑩，表情沉鬱冰冷，但她的臉容可愛到極點，沒有男孩能不對她心生憐憫，忍心讓這可人受半點傷害。
She looks up. I can finally see her face. She is about the same age as I am. Her eyes are attractive but cold, as if there is no happiness in them, under the sideswept fringe. Nevertheless, I believe every man would protect her at any cost, given her astounding beauty.
她被我截停後站在原地，微微張開口，卻沒有說話，而且面無表情。我把那紙條展示給她看，問道：「唔該我想問下呢個地方點去。」
She stands right there as I speak. She opens her mouth for a bit but stays speechless and emotionless. I show her the paper with the address, and enquire, “Could you tell me how to get to this location?”
女孩目光疑惑地看了那地址一眼後，神情好像有點愕然。看來你是這區的居民，知道這地址是我教會的分部了。我知道我參加的教會有點兒特別，甚至坊間很多人都說這是「邪教」，我也不是第一次被人以這樣的目光看待了。
The girl ponders as she notices the address. Seems that she lives around here and knows that the place is a chapel of my church. Knowing my church is often called as a “cult”, this is not the first time someone looks at me in such fashion.
女孩靦腆地避開我的目光，指向右方，說：「起呢到行入愛民邨，穿過愛民出返黎轉左行會見到紅磡警署，沿住條路再直行會經過個公園，前少少係何文田邨同喇沙小學，喇沙斜對面就係果到。」
The girl awkwardly evades my line of sight, points to the right, and says, “Walk through Oi Man Estate, turn left and you will see the Hung Hom Police Station. Walk along the road and you will past by a park. Further down will be Ho Man Tin Estate and LaSalle Primary School. The place you’re looking for is at the opposite of the school.”
好甜美的聲線，甜美中不失嬌氣和可愛，讓人聽著便打從心裡感到甜絲絲，這聲線與她冷若冰霜的神態表情格格不入。
What a beautiful and pure voice! Cold as her face looks, her voice is as sweet as honey, gently comforting my heart.
我指著隔壁愛民邨的入口，問道：「姐係起呢到行入去穿過愛民，轉左沿住條路直行就得?」
“So what I have to do is walk through Oi Man Estate, turn left and walk along the road?” I point at the entrance of Oi Man Estate and ask.
「嗯。」：她靦腆地點了點頭，然後便動身離去了。
“Right.” She nods shyly, and leaves the scene.
「好!唔該哂。」：我對她喊道
“Thank You!” I yell at her as she departs.
而她卻連轉身再看我一眼的動作也沒有，內向到這程度的人真是少見啊。不過話說她剛才連想都不用想就能把這幾個街區之內的路指得那麼詳細，她想必是位在這裡閉著眼睛都會走的何文田居民。
But she doesn’t even turn her head back, what a shy person. However, I’m impressed that she can describe the direction precisely without a second thought, seems like she knows Ho Man Tin like the back of her hand.
不管怎樣，我按照她的指示，走了十多分鐘後果然看到了教會在何文田的分部。和我們在大埔的教會完全不同，眼前的這座建築有四層樓高，怪不得這裡有地方讓青年們上跆拳道班。
Anyways, I walk according to the girl’s instructions and finally arrive at Ho Man Tin branch of my church. Unlike the chapel in Tai Po, this is a four storey building. No wonder it could allow us youths to have taekwondo lessons.
……
*維基百科
*Wikipedia
公主道(Princess Margaret Road)，主體位於九龍城區何文田，南接海底隧道紅磡出口的康莊道及漆咸道南，北接窩打老道，全長約2公里，途經紅磡灣、京士柏、十二號山及採石山，是連接紅磡海底隧道及九龍塘的主要幹道，屬於香港一號幹線的其中一部份。
Princess Margaret Road, located in Ho Man Tin, Kowloon City. It starts near at Gascoigne Road, runs northward, cutting through the hills between Quarry Hill, No. 12 Hill and Ho Man Tin proper, and reaches Waterloo Road, 2 km long in total. Princess Margaret Road is a main route that connects Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Kowloon Tong.
公主道的前身於1949年落成，原名楠道(Nairn Road)，原楠道路段總長不足現公主道十分之一。香港政府於60年代興建海底隧道，並對楠道進行道路延長工程，將其接駁至紅磡灣。1966年3月1日，英國皇室瑪嘉烈公主(Princess Margaret)訪港，適逢楠道延路工程剛好完成，為紀念此事件，完成延長的楠道被政府更名為「公主道(Princess Margaret Road)」。
Princess Margaret Road was originally called Nairn Road back in 1949 and the length of Nairn Road was only 1/10 of Princess Margaret Road. In 1960s, the Hong Kong government started to extend Nairn Road to Hung Hom Bay so that it could connect to Cross-Harbour Tunnel, which was being built at that time. On 1st March 1966, to commemorate Princess Margaret’s visit to Hong Kong and the complete of Nairn Road’s extending construction, Nairn Road was renamed to “Princess Margaret Road”.