As a German-born child who moved to Hong Kong at four, Carmen Gast feels attached to both Germany and Hong Kong.
She is the big sister for 10-year-old Michell, and the little sister herself for older brother Felix.
“I feel closer to my relatives in Hong Kong. However I prefer the environment in Germany,” Carmen concluded.
The busy teenage girl has a large collection of medals and awards in gymnastics.
“My sister is very persistent. If she wants to achieve a goal, she throws herself in it.” Felix said with a proud smile.
The family visits Germany every summer. “I miss those days with grandpa and grandma the most,” she added.
A long-term resident in Hong Kong, Carmen gets a little bothered when people opt for English when they first meet her.
“It’s weird. When people ask me for directions, they talk to me in English. They assume I speak English when they see my face,” said Carmen.
For Felix, it’s a bit trikier.
“When I was little, my classmates spoke to me in Chinese. I don’t know why recently they speak to me in English again,” he shrugged.
Yet he actually finds English more difficult than German and Chinese.
The family lives like any other local family.
“Sunday is our family day. We go to church every other week. And we hike a lot,” said Felix.
Perhaps they are more influenced than they realize by their father. The well-travelled German lecturer has been teaching the German language and culture in the university since he moved to Hong Kong with his Chinese wife.
The teens know little about Canton pop and Hollywood blockbusters. Instead, “we listen to classical,” Felix said.
He is also a fan of astro physics and a good painter, which he reasoned the Germans’ passion for science inspires him.
There is one more little difference.
“We use forks for rice,” the young man chukcled.
family photos: courtesy of Carmen and Felix Gast
