Let's Go East (and Back): Happy Chinese New Year

Kong Xi Fa Cai, everyone!

That means wish you good fortune! (It is used very frequently during this time of year. Like how at the peak of the holidays 'Merry Christmas' becomes the new 'good-bye')

Anyway, Singapore and much of Asia is in full festive mode in preparation for Chinese New Year (CNY for short, or as most non-Chinese Asians refer to it, 'Lunar New Year').

Below are some pics I have snapped around town, as well as some pics from our adventure to Chinatown last weekend. We have seen the decorations going up for weeks via our bus line (the seamless transition from reindeer to Chinese horse was impressive). I cannot tell you how many times I awkwardly and unsuccessfully stretched over multiple people to get the perfect shot from the moving bus, so we had to get in on the action and check out the holiday buzz for ourselves.

Here are the highlights I have experienced first hand: major decor, red packets (hóngbāo), and a traditional meal (Yusheng).

The mandarin orange is the official mascot of the new year.

Michael and I both had traditional CNY lunches with work colleagues. Out here we get the pleasure of enjoying Christmas, Western New Year and Chinese New Year festivities. It has been great fun, but honestly, I cannot wait for the 3 month rotation of holiday treats, cakes and multiplying boxes of bakkwa in the office pantry to go away.

Behold, Yusheng - part of a traditional Singaporean CNY meal for good luck.

It was explained that each ingredient has a meaning:

Fish “Abundance through the year”
Lime “Good luck and smooth sailing”
Pepper “Attract wealth and treasures”
Oil “Numerous sources of wealth”
Carrots “Good luck is approaching”
Green radish “Forever young”
White radish “Progress at a fast pace”
Peanut crumbs “Household filled with gold and silver”
Sesame seeds “Prosperity for the business”
Deep-fried flour crisps “Floor full of gold”

After our server explained all the additives, we were ready to dig in. Per tradition, we all stood up around the dish and tossed it together with a big cheer. (not sure if the woo-ing was required, or a natural reaction to throwing food in the air). They said whoever tosses the highest, has the best and most of the aforementioned blessings - so the bigger the mess, the more good fortune you will have.

The entire process was really fun and quite tasty. To note, this was not the entire meal, there was about 8 more courses to follow and we were there at least 2.5 hours.

Red envelopes: they are filled with money given and exchanged as gifts. This was the first one I received. Very exciting! There are all sorts of rules on giving them that I cannot keep up with. Rules on giving if you married, or not married, giving them TO married or not married people, the amount that is inside cannot contain a 4, but the numbers are supposed to be even...the list goes on. Anyway, they are usually very beautiful envelopes and are a very nice gesture, even if there is only a $2 bill inside.

Onto our adventure to China town. As you can see, it is the year of the horse.