Part 1
To welcome the Monkey
Around the world, 2003 slips into 2004. In China, they wait
a little longer. To welcome the Monkey. For the Spring Festival.
Doesn't happen in spring, as you would think, but in the
coldest depths of winter. A month long holiday. Not just
for me. An entire country shuts down. People flock back
to their hometowns. Its national celebration on a scale
I have never seen. And my first travel plans unfold. Down
south. To escape the cold. To Shenzhen. To meet some Chinese
friends.
And the last
of the parties before the holidays. Taking in such delicacies
as dog and duck blood. Not ingested but imprinted in the
mind. And experiencing that which would provide memories
to come for lifetimes.
KTV. The Chinese
craze. The national entertainment. Favorite after-dinner
pastime. A veritable industry in itself. Simply put - Karaoke.
A TV screen. Words flashing. Dark rooms. A microphone. And
an audience. Ah! Life! Has a wonderful sense of humor! And
knowing for the first time, that to the Chinese, Western
music is still The Carpenters, Stevie Wonder, Titanic, Elton
John and the Eagles! Having to sing through songs, which
I have never heard of. Me, who has never sung even to myself.
But learning, incredibly, the fun behind it all. So sing
along. It's Yesterday Once More.
The Great holiday begins. Travelling alone. And being on
the train again. A 36-hour journey this time. A journey
into China. Cities. Villages. Mountains. Rivers. Valleys.
Across the entire panorama of China. And humbled again by
the unexpected. By strangers on the train who ceaselessly
offer you little something to eat. Simply because you are
alone. Little sausages, prawn crackers, little dried fish.
I know I can never eat all these. But I have eaten of the
hospitality of the people. It travels with me to Shenzhen
before I hand it back to China. To the next person who approaches
me with hands outstretched.
Note:
If you want to read about the time before the Great holiday
first, then simply click here to
jump back in time and reach the landing day
