Chap Goh Mei

crackers for the yee sang....picture from dinner at home CNY 2011

It's the final day of the Chinese New Year celebrations. I can hear the odd crackers going off outside. It's also threatening to storm which would explain why there's less fireworks tonight. Weather has been terribly hot. My electricity bill will be high. I have three air conditions switched on for a nice cool effect. So let's just see what I've learnt from googling chap goh mei...it's the 15th day of the new year. Literal translation in the Hokkien dialect. ( being hokkien I can vouch for this bit being authentic) It's the first full moon of the year. And then there's something about unmarried ladies ( presumably premenopausal ones) throwing oranges into the sea in the hope of getting a husband. This sounds like a huge waste of oranges. And the pong of rotting floating fungi-ied oranges must be a sight. I would think the yield would be higher if you aim the oranges at the potential suitor...render him unconscious before you jump right in and give him the kiss of life. (or something equally effective) Therein starting a beautiful courtship:) Happy Chap Goh Mei everybody