Lunar's Setsubun celebrations got off to a great start with the Three Kingdoms Tour and the uncustomarily lively tea ceremony. Did you bean an Oni in Japan? It's not too late. Be sure to travel to Kamakura with Ugly Shoki the Demon Queller and his bad Oni sidekick for a whirlwind tour. See scenic Sagami Bay, mystical Enoshima Island, Mt. Fuji in the distance...the fish. Naturally, if you let Oni take centre stage, you're bound to learn about their favourite food. That's why we asked Shoki to keep an eye on the little imp. You'll also hear tales of bravery, magic and adventure. While you're strolling down Wakamiya Oji, the longest street in the city, stop and shop at the Setsubun souvenir booth, and drop by The Flying Pig Teahouse to take the Orient pig quiz, read the great articles by Sementawy Horemheb, Kutulun Khan and Feiyan Zhou, and enjoy the beauty of Shanti Ashoka's stunning graphics.
News Flash: It ain't over till the fat men sing!
At 18:00 hours AWT today, the sumo wrestlers were ready to spring into action! Unfortunately, due to one of those mysterious unforeseen difficulties that never gets explained (and today is no exception), Wrestle To The Top has been postponed until further notice, so there's still time to sign up. Keep checking the
Orient Festival Guide for announcements.
Shocking rumours about Bao Bei
Panda Central is really hopping. The stories are starting to come in...and what unlikely tales people are telling about our sweet, innocent mascot. Seriously, how could a fuzzy little bear be in so many places and do all those things in so short a time - some quite shocking! That he fell asleep while eating bamboo and woke up in a cargo boat? That he ended up in Atlantis rubbing shoulders with the king? That he sold his fur to a salon and is running around nekked? As if! It's enough to make us lose face. Good thing we decorated opera masks. The good news is people are finding his "treasures" and he can come home soon, where we can protect him from furs smugglers and other scheming mercenaries. I personally blame the Meso cheese merchants for starting the rumours. But don't listen to me. Go read the stories and decide for yourselves.
And remember: you still have two days to sign up for the Bao Bei contest.
Lunar Buzz
The Zhulong Teahouse is happy to report that critics are raving about their Chinese New Year banquet and opera,
The Legend of Lady White Snake," the first-ever AncientWorlds "live" theatrical production. The actors received several standing ovations and
Lady White Snake has been nominated for a Gem award. "The testimonials could come from no better personalities - Demi-Gods, even," says Simon Niall, whose stellar performance as the love-struck Xu Xian swept the audience off its feet. More good news: a souvenir of the opera will be made available by the end of the festival. If you haven't seen the opera, click on the souvenir programme for a taxi to Xi Hu, then follow the lotus flower to each new scene.
Flying Pig Teahouse is also pleased to announce that the Japanese Tea Ceremony was another Lunar success. Our gracious Geisha hostess Rachana Khan deftly presented the full tea ceremony step-by-step to a crowded house. Guests were introduced to such customs as respectful bowing, removing their shoes at the door, contemplating the gardens, painted scrolls and flower arrangements, holding the tea cup just so and complimenting the antique utensils, many of which are priceless heirlooms. Highlights of the evening included humourous and enlightening tales of tea and Zen by Hakuin Jimmu and tea anecdotes by Chakiko (played by yours truly). We also learned from Shibori Murasaka that kimono sleeves are problematic when eating. You can stll drop by the teahouse to see the lovely design, take the Japanese Tea Ceremony Histor Quiz and read the great articles by Yoko Hideyoshi, Sementawy Horemheb and Rachana Khan.
More to see and do in Delhi!
Excitement is building over Vasant Panchami, the Hindu festival to welcome the Spring and the third phase of our festivities. And we happen to have more fun and excitement up our silk sleeves for your enjoyment. In the third chapter of the Three Kingdoms Tour, Saraswati, Hindu goddess of wisdom and the arts, will take you on an enchanting tour of historic Delhi and then to her temple for blessings. We recommended you don't feed her swan. She will also take you to Varaha's Chai and Curry House on the evening of February 24 for the big end-of-Fest party. If you love Indian music, customs and cuisine, then partying at Varaha's is a must. You can also take the Three Kingdoms Deities and Demons quiz and shop at the Delhi souvenir booth.
And last, but not least is Make Your Own Kite, a kite decorating contest in celebration of Vasant Panchami. Kite flying is very popular in northern India during the festival, especially among youth who are anxious to play in the warm Spring sun. The contest starts on February 23rd and extends past the festival to February 28. You don't have to wait though. You can sign up to day and start decorating your kite right away. And to learn more about kites, read Sementawy wrote fascinating article on the subject.
If you get lost during your stay in the Orient, visit the the
Calendar of Events for more wondrous things to do and the
Orient Festival Guide to find your way around, and for updates and the next issue of the Lunar News.
