I have been so fortunate in having many new friends here in Malaysia who are Chinese and celebrate this event by travelling home to their villages for a week of family gathering, festive foods, and appreciation of what they have and who they have in their lives.
All of these new friends have dropped into my home, either before, or upon returning home from the holiday. Every Chinese retailer I have shopped at has provided me with Mandarin oranges, fresh, juicy, and in season right now. I tend to eat only seasonal fruits that are in season where I am living. Now I know why. These oranges, as I have said in the past are incredible. I have stuffed my face on dozens of them, and never purchased any. The generosity I have experienced is overwhelming.
Most recently, my neighbours next door who tended my garden while I was away, came to my locked gate, obviously hearing Vivaldi playing on my stereo, while I was preparing to have a shower after hours of errand running and shopping. I heard a voice calling "Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello, and so on, until I realized that the Hello was targeted at me. Looking out to the gate, I could see Ya's brother and her daughter standing at the gate with several shiny red bags, with huge grins on their faces. I unlocked the gate, and both passed the bags to me and bowed; saying Happy New Year in English to me. I was so touched, I wanted to hug them, but instead, followed their lead with a bow to them. Ya's daughter beamed when I did this, so clearly, I did the right thing. Asking them to come in, they waved no, no, and retreated to their own home. Once indoors, I looked in the bags, and here is what I was given. The bag is filled with something - not sure what, wrapped in origami style red paper. I think they are some kind of nutty confection. Looks good!
Bon Apetit!
I have already eaten two of the oranges from this bundle. Better leave something so I can have them all over for tea and treats during the next month.
(only one more month of New Year celebrations left here)
For those like myself, the Gong Xi Fa Cai is pronounced Gong Hey Fat Choy, in Mandarin, which is the language spoken here. That is what I read online. However, I do know that Xi is pronounced chi, so, I would think and have heard this actually pronounced: Gong Chi Fa Choy!
For those even more curious: Gong Xi (恭禧) is congratulations or respectfully wishing one joy.
Fa Cai (發財) is to become rich or to make money.
Now I know 3 Mandarin 'words'. I know how to order bok choy, (which I think is spelled Chuai pi xi) properly here, and now have added these two others. Slow and steady huh?
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