Being from a large family with a fairly mixed background, as is the case for many people from Hawaii, I have had the opportunity to take part in many cultural occassions. My Grandmother has raised all of her grandchildren to practice our Chinese heritage and culture as she always has throughout her lifetime, in Hawaii each year we celebrate Chinese New Year as a family through participating in the production of a large Chinese banquet and attending festivals in the Chinatown area. We also get together at the home of my Great-Grandmother,
Popo, as she instructs us on how to make a traditional steamed New Year's pudding called
Gau. Since moving to Chicago, not once have I visited Chinatown for the annual New Year celebration. However, yesterday I finally made it out there to celebrate. I must say, it was a different experience compared to the one back home, but much of that had to do with the awful weather Chicago endured yesterday. I was accompanied by Esteban and his parents to witness the Chinese New Year parade held on Wentworth Street here in Chicago's Chinatown. According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2008 is the year of the Rat which began on February 7, 2008 and ends on January 25, 2009. The year of the Rat is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. In Chinese, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous and enterprising person. The parade began with the raising of the Chinese and American flags, followed by a procession of children playing handheld drums, Chinese Lion Dancers, and a number of city organizations that took part in the celebration like the CTA and the Chinatown Fire Department. A reminder, the parade was outdoors and the temperature was a high of 2 and a low of -10 degrees Fahrenheit, wind-chill not included. Everyone who gathered to celebrate were bundled under layers and layers of clothing, blankets, and fleece. Not to mention all faces were hidden under piles of scarves, it was a cold day for us all.
The beginning of the parade ringing in the YEAR OF THE RAT!
The lions swerved in and out of the crowds dancing to the beat of the drums.After the parade we decided to get some hot tea at Saint's Alps Teahouse on Archer Avenue. The variety of teas offered there continues to amaze, me I decided on the almond tea. We sat inside and stayed bundled in our winter garments, for our bodies took so long to warm up after enduring such a long period of being out in the cold, it was a bit intense for Esteban's parents who were visiting from California.
Bundled up and still not warm enough to be outside.After tea we decided to take a stroll through the shops in Chinatown Plaza, we purchased a number of ceramic bowls, money trees, chinese candies, and a variety of teas. While shopping in one particular store a Chinese Lion came in and was fed
Licee by the owner. Chinese
Licee is a small red envelope contained with money inside, the envelope is typically fed to the Lion for prosperity and good-luck for the New Year.
Store owner feeding the lion.
In Chinatown square Esteban and I stood beside our zodiac sign, the TIGER.Our day ended with a delicious meal at
Lao Sze Chuan Restaurant, serving gourmet Chinese delicacies, it is my favorite restaurant in the area.
Gung Hay Fat Choy Everyone, Best wishes and Congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year!
