People in Taipei have been preparing for the Chinese New Year for about a week. One day, after a walk, we returned to our apartment building to find that the front door and lobby were decorated for the holiday.
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| Each side of the front door has a string of red fire crackers. They will ward off the monster Nian who likes to come around on New Years Eve. |
Last night, the Chinese New Years Eve, was family night. Families stay home to share a dinner together.
Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year. Most small restaurants and shops are closed, and people go to the temples to honor relatives who came before them. We went to Xingtian Temple, which is one of the larger Taoist temples, to join the throngs paying respect.
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| We found ourselves cheek to jowl with crowds of worshipers. Most were concentrating on their prayers, and it was surprisingly calm. |
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| Behind the center door is the main god of the temple, Guan Yu, patron saint of businessmen. The order of prayer is to pray to the god of the heavens, directly behind me, with my camera. Then pray to Guan Yu at the center door. Next pray to the god in the right door, finally to the god in the left door. Considering the masses of people this was all done in an orderly fashion. |
When we managed to extricate ourselves from the temple, we found ourselves on the sidewalk filled with vendors. It was a bit of a carnival atmosphere. Chia treated Solomon to cotton candy - his first.
What a sweet beginning to the New Year. Xin Nian Kuai Le!!!
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