We're still having almost daily adventures in the city; we've had some members helping us find people, which is almost impossible unless you have someone to lead you by the hand. Also, the apartment buildings are all locked and you have to be buzzed in or have someone open the main door for you. Then, once you get inside, you don't know where to go, and most of the apartments are behind another set of locked gates if you do happen to reach the right floor.
On Oct. 26th, there was a Chinese holiday--Chong Yang. Our Branch activity was a hike up the highest hill on Coloane to the temple and statue of A-Ma. Roland wasn't feeling well, but I went, and even though it was a hot day and the hill was high, it was very enjoyable. There was a huge celebration at the temple, which is close to the top of the hill. Of course, there were the lion and dragon dances, but lots of other things going on as well. I especially enjoyed listening to the music. Here is the story of Chong Yang and the reason for hill-climbing on this day:
During the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 - 220), a devil inhabited the Nu River which caused disease in the neighbouring people. The parents of a young man, named Hengjing, died because of the devil's magic. In order to rid the people of the devil, Hengjing went through extraordinary lengths to find an immortal to teach him swordsmanship in order to expel the devil.
On the eighth day of the ninth lunar month, the immortal told Hengjing that the next day the devil would appear and he was to go back to get rid of the devil and the disease. Taking a bag of dogwood and some chrysanthemum wine, Hengjing returned to his hometown. In the morning of the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, Hengjing led all the villagers who were each holding a piece of dogwood leaf and a cup of Chrysanthemum to the nearest mountain. At noon, when the devil came out from the Nu River, the devil suddenly stopped because of the fragrance emitted from the dogwood and the chrysanthemum wine. At that moment Hengjing used the sword to battle the devil for a few rounds and won. Great story!
We got our temporary "blue cards"--a visa--so we can remain in Macau for a few more months. Getting visas for Macau is very difficult--unless you're just visiting for a few days. If you want to stay, you have to sign away your life (and your first-born child!). For those of you who know Roland's handwriting (if you can call it that), he wrote the e's differently in his father's name and his mother's maiden name, and they caught that and wanted to know what kind of scam he was trying to pull. They probably would have denied him the visa, except that he was blessed to have a former school teacher who spoke some English helping him in Immigration, and when he explained that he just can't write very well, she understood! The lady who was 'helping' me in Immigration wasn't quite as understanding when she asked if the last letter of my maiden name had a 'y' or a 'g' at the end. It was clearly a 'y', but you couldn't have proved that by her. She thought I was trying to pull something (I don't know what it would have been or why a 'y' or a 'g' made any difference even if I was). I didn't think I'd make it out of there without being told I'd have to leave Macau and not come back. AND, we really don't want to leave!
The A-Ma Temple in Coloane--Chong Yang Holiday
Some of the 'fish' girls - parade at the A-Ma Temple.
Don't know what the instrument is, but it sounds neat!
A-Ma Statue - Coloane
This statue was made for the return of Macau to China in 1999. It is 19.99 meters tall, weighs 1000 tons, and is made from white jade from Fangshang in Beijing. 120 sculptors worked for 8 months to complete it.
Roland with his Bud - Hou Leng Jai (Cute little boy).
Ida as "Spider-Woman"
