full moon
Today the Chinese celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and Teacher's Day, so Happy Mooncake Day and Happy Teacher's Day to you all! Now you ask me the exotic story behind this tradition, well, hum... it involves a rabbit, a strong man with his axe, another stronger man with his bow and arrow, and then there's his beautiful and virtuous wife who somehow flew to the moon, don't ask me why. On this day when a full moon hangs in the sky like a big white plate, we gather together with our families and gobble down mooncakes and melons. I never particularly liked this dessert because it has too many crumbs, and thus I make a mess on the table. However, I do enjoy the getting together with relatives bit. As for the origin of Teacher's Day, it's the birthday of our great Confucius of course. Contrary to the Western saying, 'Those who can't, teach', the Chinese show great respect to teachers. In the past, they could be seen as the upper echelons of society, perhaps this view has not changed much--Mum gets pressies and thank you cards throughout the year.
In this sentiment of remembering good old days and old friends--Happy Birthday to you, Erik and Katrin.