I had just entered a clothing shop in Pacific Centre mall and can honestly say this was not the question I was expecting to be asked. The shop assistant eagerly waited my response, I think hoping that I had seen this mysterious lion that was roaming the mall. I replied in the negative. I had not had the pleasure of seeing a lion in the mall.
It was the week of the Lunar New Year and perhaps my surprise at the question just shows my naïveté or ignorance when it comes to other cultures and their celebrations.
The traditional Lion Dance was happening in The Pacific Centre that day. If a shop wished to participate in the Lion Dance, they hung lettuce above the door to the shop. The lion, accompanied by drummers, would come to the shops with lettuce in the doorways, dance around the shop and on leaving would eat the lettuce. The lion then spits the lettuce back out at the shop. The Lion Dance is believed to bring prosperity and good luck to the business.
Although I unfortunately missed out on seeing the Lion Dance, I was able to attend the Lunar New Year Parade. One of the highlights of the celebrations each year is the New Year Parade featuring over 3,5o0 performers. 2016 welcomes the year of the monkey.
On the day of the parade it rained non-stop but that didn't stop the celebrations. Despite the weather the crowds were so large it was difficult to keep a spot where taking photographs remained an option. Everyone seemed to be smiling and spreading well wishes for a happy new year. The parade itself was an array of bright colours, there were a huge range of costumes and the children around me in the crowd really enjoyed looking for the lions and dragons and seeing them dance. Performers, companies and local politicians were among the numerous people passing red envelopes, containing sweets, to the crowd. By the end of the parade my handbag and pockets were full of envelopes and I brought home plenty of treats to share with My Handsome Man.
