Leisure |
Home
| Archives | About | Media Links |
| Januray 2000 Extraordinary collectibles Craze for buses By Veronica Ho Article from
the same section: Many people consider themselves bus fans if they like collecting bus models. But Mr. Cheung Ming Yin, a 19-year-old bus fan, said real bus fans are more sophisticated than collectors. He said that some bus fans could recognize a bus by listening to its engine, like recognizing their friends by listening to their voices. He said, “When people listen to different engines carefully and get familiar with the sounds, they can tell the difference.” Called Bus Cheung by friends, he started to develop an interest in buses when he was a kid. He said that at that time, he would imagine what would happen if he fell from the upper deck of a double-decker bus. And he said that double-decker buses from Kowloon Motor Bus are his all-time favorites. Mr. Yonie Sung, a 19-year-old student, became a bus buff when he was only 3. Said Mr. Sung: “I used to wonder why buses were so big when I was young. “I liked sitting beside the windows at home and waiting for my favorite bus to pass by, even though it took a long time.” Mr. Colin Chang Ka Lim is a 21-year-old bus fan studying in Australia. He also said that the hobby is worth spending time on. Mr. Sung said he bought his first bus model in 1992, a China Motor Bus replica. Now, he has about 400 models. “Buses with strange engine sounds and buses with rare bodies impress me most,” said he. Mr. Cheung also likes taking pictures of buses. He said he began taking pictures of buses when he was 12. “Sometimes I go out at 6 in the morning to wait for buses and take pictures. And when I return home, it is already nightfall,” said Mr. Cheung. Like Mr. Cheung, Mr. Sung will also go out early in the morning to take pictures of buses leaving the bus depot. Mr. Sung said that he was once chased by eight dogs when he tried to take pictures in a bus depot. “A black dog ran towards me when I tried to take pictures there. Then I ran. But when I looked back, I found eight dogs chasing after me!” said he. “I was so scared I ran to a bus captain who saved me by commanding the dogs to sit.” Taking pictures of buses also builds a new network of friends — bus captains. Mr. Sung explained in the past, there were fewer buffs. Therefore, when they took pictures in the bus companies, some curious captains usually came up to them and talked with them. “I like sitting next to the captain on the bus. “If there is no empty seat, I will wait for the next bus,” said Mr. Sung. Mr. Cheung said he likes cruising on buses driven by captains he knows. “Sitting next to them, I feel like I am driving the bus myself,” said Mr. Cheung. Mr. Chang also has good relationships with bus captains. He said, “ I’ve known some captains for years, and we had a farewell dinner before I went to Australia.” The bus fans also said their craze for buses actually help them learn a lot of things. With 30 bus models, Mr. Chang finds his knowledge about buses very useful. Said he: “I notice many details of buses that other people might not know. “For example, each bus is signified by a fleet number, which is on the bottom left corner of the windshield.” Mr. Chang said knowing this special feature of buses, he could then take his girlfriend on the same bus every day. Mr. Cheung agreed that the hobby teaches him a lot. For example, he knows bus routes very well, and this is convenient in daily life. Said Mr. Cheung: “I know how to get home by bus wherever a bus passes by. “Even though I have my own car now, I still love riding buses.” However, according to Mr. Sung, the reputation of bus buffs has been tarnished by bus fans who stole things from buses. “I was very proud of myself for being a bus buff,” said he. “But now, I dare not tell people I am a bus buff. People may think that a bus buff is like a thief.” Mr. Sung said people would ask him whether he stole things from buses when he told them he is a bus buff. “Some buffs have even taken away even bus terminal signs,” said he. Mr. Sung said some bus buffs collect models of buses only for speculation. “When China Motor Bus ended its service in 1998, the prices of some models went up from $85 to $2,000,” said he. “Bus buffs should not buy models just for speculation. “I think bus fans should only be sharing opinions and collections with others and that's enough,” said he. Mr. Chang agreed. He said, “When more and more commercial elements are added to the hobby, such as selling bus models and pictures, the love for buses is no longer simple.” Mr. Cheung said there are about four bus buff clubs in Hong Kong. These clubs usually organize cruises, visits to bus companies and competitions for their members. Mr. Chang joined a fan club before, but he decided the membership fee was too high. “It costs less to do the same activities on my own,” said he. Mr. Cheung and Mr. Sung have not joined any fan club as they both thought that they do not need the club to teach them how to love buses. “I can still travel on buses, or visit bus companies, even though I am not a fan club member,” explained Mr. Cheung. “I have not joined any clubs. I have my own way of loving buses,” said Mr. Sung. When asked how he would feel if there were no buses anymore, Mr. Cheung said he would be very depressed if he could not see buses anymore. “Bus is already part of my life,” said he. “If there is no bus one day, I guess it would be like living without a soul.” He added that whenever he has to leave Hong Kong for a while, he misses buses a lot and just wants to come back to see his “friends”again. Mr. Sung had similar feeling towards buses. He said he would not give up the hobby easily. He said: “Many people lose their enthusiasm over something when they discover the shortcomings. “But luckily, the more I discover about buses, the more I love them.” |
|
|
Home | Archives | About | Media Links |
