We have encountered many fun and intriguing holidays and traditions since we moved to Hong Kong. One of these is the Yue Lan Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival. During this time it is believed that ghosts are free to roam the earth seeking food and entertainment. In front of their homes family members will offer food and drink and burn incense as well as paper items (bank notes, TVs, servants, cars, houses, etc.) meant to please their ancestors and other hungry ghosts that might otherwise linger longer than desired. As darkness approached on the evening of the festival Jon & I went on the prowl to see this celebration first hand in a very traditional neighborhood, Sham Shui Po.
Because really, what self-respecting ghost would eat without chopsticks???
With all the fresh takeout lining the streets I was really surprised not to see any stray cats & dogs around. I was actually REALLY jumpy because I was sure I'd step on a fat rat somewhere. Thank goodness I was wrong!
We want to roam the streets of night with you. It looks so fun, fat rat risk and all.
ReplyDeleteHey, did those people know you were taking pictures?? You're lucky they didn't punch you for that!!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteThe above was my comment, hahahhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteSounds like the rats weren't the only risk we were taking that night! Just seeing us walking around with camera made most people irritated. With our big lens we were able to get these pictures without being too obvious. Though I might have some angry ghosts after me...
ReplyDeleteSo cool! Your family will have all sorts of fun family traditions and holidays to celebrate for the rest of forever because of this time in Hong Kong! So cool! And I'm also glad that there were no rat encounters. That would put an end to my sight-seeing fun!
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