Sahpnihn (Dou) Mfuhng Yatyeuhn: once in a blue moonIn Hong Kong, people use both the solar and lunar calendars. There are ten days fewer in one lunar year than in a solar year, so an extra month (yeuhnyuht) is added every three years to make up the difference. An exaggerated saying rose out of this practice: sahpnihn (dou) mfuhng yatyeuhn, meaning to not have a leap year in ten years, or "once in a blue moon."The highlight of my Spain experience happened on the high-speed train between Madrid … [Read more...]
It’s All About the Food
September 6, 2012 1 Comment
Sihk Chat Gam Sihk: eat and drink as much as you canIt is believed that seven days after a man dies, his ghost returns to visit his kin. On that day, ritual ceremonies are performed by a monk ("jouh chat"). The routine repeats on each subsequent seven-day cycle until the 49th day when family and friends gather together and eat a vegetarian meal of seven dishes. They can eat and drink as much as possible without paying. This is known as Sihk Chat Gam Sihk. During our recent trip to Spain, my … [Read more...]
