And so the Year of the Pig is well upon us. And if you live in Hong Kong, you don鈥檛 half know it. With large papier-m芒ch茅 pigs appearing in the middle of road intersections and TV messages of 鈥淲ishing you a prosperous year of the boar鈥 doing the rounds, you鈥檇 be pretty out-of-the-loop not to be aware of the Chinese New Year festivities that adorned the city over the last couple of months. Either that or you鈥檇 just be mightily confused鈥
 | | Neela with, err, a giant gold pig! |
A fine example comes from the wonder of Langham Place - the huge multi-complex just down the street from our flat. Never one to miss out on decorating for a festive event, overnight there appeared a huge array of large, gold, sparkling pigs dangling from the ceilings. With wings. To top it off, in true Cantonese style, I was startled half to death to see a rather alarming sight whilst emerging up the escalator one day: smack bang in the middle of the complex was the hugest, well, 鈥渕onstrosity鈥 is really the only adequate word! ... A massive (and I really do mean massive) gold, glittery pig. Ah, bless them. You have to give it to them over here - they truly don鈥檛 do things by halves. The funniest thing is how the area around it is always jam-packed with people scrabbling to get a photo with the thing, usually with them pushing a finger to their nose like a snout. For the holidays we stayed in Hong Kong for a change, which was actually so so lovely. It was the first time I really got to stand still, take a proper breath and fully absorb the buzz of my surroundings and the chaos of the past six months. I welcomed in the new year just as Chinese tradition would have it; winding down and catching up with my friends around the city. We also got into the spirit of things by watching the parade that packed out the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui and by joining the crowds that lined the harbour for the spectacular fireworks. All in all it was a pretty chilled-out break - a rare feeling when you鈥檙e in Hong Kong! | "The Easter holidays are here in only three weeks and it鈥檚 really very distressing how time is ticking away! " | |
Since then things have returned to the usual mayhem, but with only three months to go I鈥檓 definitely trying to 鈥渟avour the moments鈥 and not wish anything away. My flights home are now officially booked and we鈥檙e nearly approaching the pages in my diary that read 鈥淐all up gas/water/electricity companies for final month鈥. The Easter holidays are here in only three weeks and it鈥檚 really very distressing how time is ticking away! As a result we are jam-packing our weekends with things to see and do, all too aware of the days that seem to be flying off the calendar. It is also that time when people are making their plans for next year. Many of the other GELTs are staying on in Hong Kong and it makes the prospect all the more appealing. Having said that, I think I have finally decided that I am homeward bound. I truly love living in Honkers, but I only have to speak to my mum and dad on the phone and I鈥檓 reminded how much I miss my family and friends. There鈥檚 a lot to be said for living in the same time-zone as your loved-ones. And besides, I鈥檓 not sure I could survive another year without the taste of my mum鈥檚 home-baking! Those ginger biscuits are enough to lure anyone home. Neela |
