The last time, I celebrated the 15th day of CNY, known as Cap Goh Meh in this part of the world, was about 3-4 years ago. During my study in Malaysia.
Tonight at the place where I am currently staying...This year, I am thankful that I am invited to have the dinner with my landlord family. The grandma had extended the invitation a few days ago, and I was a bit hesitate whether or not to join them, as I thought it should be a family thingy. Then this morning, she told me to come back for dinner, a bit
phai se, at the end I said "okay". I am glad that I accepted the invitation. :) I always LOVE Chinese New Year! The reason is very simply, this is when family gathers!
When I reached home tonight, I already saw the big round table with bowls, plates, chopsticks, and spoons, properly arranged! Although we used to always have family dinner, but it had never as nicely arranged as this one. Haha... The dinner was good :)
At the same time, currently in my hometown...
My mom just called, guess what, they are riding the trishaw. This is a tradition for people in our area. Wanna know how we celebrated this season when we was young?
1. Family dinner is a must!
2. We will already pre-order the becak (trishaw), say for an hour ride for about Rp.15,000.
3. After dinner, we will then meet somewhere and there the ride begun.
4. There is a must go place, which is the bridge on top of a river! What did we do there?
Flashback a little... The night before or in the moring, we would already have collected a bag of stones, small ones, of course, to be thrown to the river.
When the trishaw reached the bridge, we will start to throw the stones to the river and sing the rhyme below (in the mix of Hokkien and Bahasa Indonesia):
Cap Go Meh, Tim Batu
Buaya Phu, xxxxx anya bo laku
meaning:
On the 15th day of Chinese New Year, Throw the stones
The Crocodile will appear, Nobody wants the ladies from xxxxx town
I had never asked where this rhyme orginated. It was never meant for cursing I think, it's just for fun!
Every place has their own different way in celebrating.
before in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
The celebration in Malaysia was a bit different. The event organizer was distributing oranges and bananas. The guys should take the banana, while girls take the orange. Then, they write their name on it and throw it to the man-made pool. Next is for the guy to pick up an orange from the pool, and the girl to pick up a banana from.
From there, some made new friends, some made new couples, I suppose. =D
Anyway, Happy Cap Go Meh, everyone~
