The Journey Inward

I had been looking forward to Sunday all week! It was Han Nua Temple’s Chinese New Year celebration. I had seen the temple on the way up to the dam a few weekends ago and was now excited to not just be going to see it, but to be experiencing the festival.

I left at 8:15 and picked up Yuri on my way, which was impressive for me because I hate waking up and getting out early on the weekends. The ride through the countryside was pretty and one I hadn’t seen before. We took back, scenic roads instead of the highway.

We arrived there before the others and got great parking. We began by walking into a smaller temple and were immediately greeted by an older woman who spoke to us about the symbolism of the lanterns. Yuri peppered her with questions and she readily told us her interpretation of the year of the snake and its meaning and now the year of the horse and what it meant to her. She talked of becoming a better person daily because the Chinese think as much about the next life as this one. For reasons I couldn’t identify, I was choked up from the minute we stood outside the temple. This extraordinary woman told us that she had been stuck, not moving forward, and when her mother passed away decades ago, she was devastated. Then her mother came to her in a dream and said, “Go to the temple.” She did and has been active ever since. It was an honor and a pleasure talking to this sweet woman who was so open and vulnerable.

We received our flowers and made a “wish” with our offering before Buddha. I didn’t understand it all, but was mesmerized and open to it. We moved onto the candle lighting ceremony at the big temple, which was also moving. Feeling like this woman’s story of her mother was at the root of my emotions, I meditated into my lit candle and asked for an open heart. The speaker said that we must shed our fear, ignorance and confusion and embrace love, peace and compassion. I loved these words. We brought the candles forward to offer and I voiced my desire. Again, extremely centering and grounding.

From there we moved to the firecracker ceremony outside in the square. The speech was moving, talking about how the firehorse represented momentum, giving us strength to move forward after a year of shedding what doesn’t serve us. The drum performance was electric and the lion dance was enchanting.

We finally met up with the group and sat on the grass to chat. I met Michelle and Anine, the first very quiet and the second very not! I enjoyed bringing Michelle into the conversation, but absolutely adored Anine’s energy, independence and free spirit. We spent much of the day together, laughing and chatting.

It was a vegan festival and the food was plentiful. I am supposed to severely limit my gluten and dairy because of the Hashimoto’s, but it was my first day and a special day, so I did what every dieter does- and put it off until tomorrow! I selected the oyster mushroom bao buns with a delicious sauce. I ate one whole and only the contents of the other, so in my mind, that was a severe reduction!!! I couldn’t get my mind around the boba tea because I greatly dislike those pearls, so water it was.

From there, we went to the cultural center for horse printing, a tea ceremony, drumming, dancing and singing. People lined up to ring the great bell. It was a chilly day, around 70 and drizzly, but the chill felt nice and the rain didn’t interfere. After the heat we’ve had, it was welcome. We went back to the square to sit in the grass and play cards. I broke down and got boba tea and actually liked it. I also bought some honey candy. (Shockingly, my bloodwork showed excellent control of sugar! It must be all the walking!)

I made a stop at the portapotty and was pleasantly surprised how nice it was. A woman goes into clean after each person comes out. The walls are decorated, and there is a sink to actually wash hands!

We had written out our wish tree sentiments earlier, but decided to wait until it was a little quieter up by the tree to toss ours in. We went up now and did so.

We all went back up to the temple to get our incense and offer it in front of each of three Buddhas. Again, very impactful. We each picked out a tiny scroll, but upon sharing them, decided that AI wrote them this year!

We did a final tour of the booths and Anine and I bought firehorse bracelets and I bought a ring at another stall. She bought elf ear earrings.

We’d been hearing children playing drums up at the experience center all day, so we ended our day there once it had cleared out.

We did one final photo shoot as most of the crowd had gone home by this time. Lots of giggles!

I dropped Yuri at home and stopped at the mall quick to look for a hiking backpack to gift myself for my birthday. Two men washed my car for R100 while I was inside, so I really felt productive! No backpack.

I made a quick bite to eat and then hopped on my call with The Ladies-Kristin, Kristy and Chris. We burned through one Zoom call and quickly moved to the next. It was SO wonderful to see them. I miss seeing them daily at work.

I used Chat GPT to help me put my meds and supplements into a daily schedule. It was brilliant because it listed times and separated vitamins that didn’t mix, things that could be taken with/without food and tea, and how much time there should be in between. This is a real change to my routine, starting with having to delay breakfast. I made packets to bring to work since I need to take them throughout the day. I labeled and organized the bags and then set alarms on my phone to remind me since the day is so busy with the kids.

I actually am going to bed on time, a wonderful day behind me, another adventure in this country.