It’s that time of the year now – and my thoughts naturally drift back to my third hometown which celebrates this holiday in a big way.
Join me as I take a stroll down Memory Lane to six years ago, when I toured Penang during Chinese New Year (see Note at bottom) on the saddle of a bicycle.
I did so mainly because I was still working to obtain my first driving license, but what a precious experience that was.
今年も旧正月がやってきました この祝日を盛大に祝う「第三の故郷」のことを特に思い出す季節です
6年前、旧正月のペナン島を自転車で回りました 当時はクルマの免許を持っていなかったのですが、今から思えば貴重な体験でした
ご一緒にいかがでしょう？
First, let me show you the entrance to my condominium, all dressed up for the holiday
まず、私が住んでいたコンドミニアムの入り口をご覧に入れましょう 飾りが雰囲気を盛り立てています
This year was the Year of the Rooster – thus this special illustration on this beverage I bought at the supermarket down the street.
すぐ近くのスーパーで買った缶ビールにも「酉年」の飾りつけ
Let’s go for a ride – wow, it’s already getting nice and muggy on Karpal Singh Drive at 8AM!
それでは行きましょう まだ8時というのにもう蒸し暑くて…（カパル・シン通り）
As you can see, I certainly needed some exercise!
Ｔシャツ・短パン・サンダルで初詣 これぞペナン島！
New Year’s prayers in T-shirts, shorts, and sandals – oh, how quintessentially Penang!
Up North 北へ
Riding up to my favorite spot – the Botanic Gardens
大好きな植物園へ
The Orchidarium was a refreshing sight back then…but fell into complete disrepair afterwards.
この頃は瑞々しい姿を見せていたラン園 その後荒れ放題になってしまいました
Back Into Town 再び街中へ
I wonder how I took this risky shot of myself pedaling down Gurney Drive?
ガーニードライヴをまっしぐら 如何にしてこんな危険なアングルで撮ったか、記憶にございません
Scenes from one of the many small shops on Campbell Street, traditional home of Penang’s jewelry trade
かつて宝石店が軒を連ねたキャンベル通り
The firecrackers must have created quite a scene – although I did not dare go at night fearing the massive crowds and traffic jams.
さぞかし盛大な爆竹だったことでしょう…人込みと渋滞が大変なので夜は行きませんでしたが
Even during daytime, the streets of central George Town are full of traffic – so it makes sense to tour this area on a bicycle.
日中もこの大渋滞 自転車で回るのは賢い選択
Time for lunch and much-needed drink before heading home for shower and nap.
家に帰る前に軽く昼食、そして冷たい飲み物で休憩です
Note:
I am fully aware that the term “Chinese New Year” might not be agreeable to some of you, depending on which culture and/or place you originate from and/or what your political leanings may be.
Please understand that I am simply using terminology which is most commonly used in Malaysia to refer to the new year’s holiday celebrated according to the lunar calendar. In fact, this holiday is called Tahun Baru Cina in Malaysia’s official language.
Over the decades I have had the privilege to work, worship, and hang out with hundreds (if not thousands) of fine folks whose ethnicity happens to be Chinese – or whose passports happen to bear the crest of the People’s Republic. I sincerely hope a day will come when the word “Chinese” is NOT automatically associated with a certain political organization which stands accused of all sorts of aggressive and destructive behavior on the world stage.