Happy Chinese new year! That's what I wish to all Chinese people and that's what I've been hearing all the time lately. I barely have time to go online, because we're going visiting relatives every day, going to some temples, meeting with friends and late in the evening playing majong until the early morning. Everyone is so excited and happy.
I learned many new things about Chinese culture during these days:1 The reunion dinner: It's 1 day before the New year. Every sister and their boyfriends or husbands came. We all wore something red and eat the famous 'steam boat'. It was fun.
2 Visiting the relatives: This part is interesting, because you see how important are family ties in Chinese culture. You get to know so many people, distant cousins, uncles, who come from various places just to go and visit grandma. First day of visiting everyone must gather at the oldest living relative's house, in this case grandma's house.
3 Chinese new year songs: You hear them everywhere! They have a catchy melody.
4 Oranges: Everytime you come to somebodie's house, bring 2 oranges, it's a custom. If not you're in trouble.
5 Tings that bring good luck: Hong bao (money in red packages), red colour, touching a particoular fish, oranges... many many things.
6 Mahjong (Ma jiang): Chinese people love to play it during Chinese new year, they like to gamble as well, but luckily just for small amounts of money.
7 Eating extensively: Food is abundant. I think I will gain some weight! :)
So, I will be full of impressions during this Chinese new year. It is a unique experience for me and I will update you all on the things ahead. We're just half way thru. Chinese new year is celabrated 15 days!
[My MALAYSIA page][My BATU PAHAT page][Photos by MKL, 2009]
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