Your words - wonderful! You wrote, "... :traditional Chinese biscuits called tau sah peah and durian kuih,..." Now I am hungry for traditional Chinese food. I look forward to reading more on your site.
In Guyana, we make something called Chinese cakes...A sweet paste made with black eye peas and pastry. It's VERY popular. (We're highly multicultural in Guyana, lots of Chinese immigrants went there too.)
Sometimes, I hear my mother talk about "tau sah". I must ask her what it is. The older folks know these things.
I didn't have Cheng Beng experience when growing up because my Ah Gong requested to have his ashes scattered into the sea. I've always think that he was very cool for his time and I didn't miss the Cheng Beng rituals. But reading yours does make it sound like a nice family ritual to have together, while remembering ancestors that come before. Bonus is all the good food in Penang!
When I was visiting as a kid I used to walk up and feed the turtles. The turtles are gone, and now my grandparents are up there. Some day we'll take our kids out there but it's a long trip from the US.
Does nobody think that the school is unlucky for being built around a temple? Or is it a symbol of luck—“they’re being watched over by wise elders” and so on?
Your words - wonderful! You wrote, "... :traditional Chinese biscuits called tau sah peah and durian kuih,..." Now I am hungry for traditional Chinese food. I look forward to reading more on your site.
Penang and KL can fight over who has the better food all you want but we all know Ipoh has the best. 😉
I took the train from Hua Hin to Penang, and yes, that is tiring. But worth it!
This is such a good read!!
In Guyana, we make something called Chinese cakes...A sweet paste made with black eye peas and pastry. It's VERY popular. (We're highly multicultural in Guyana, lots of Chinese immigrants went there too.)
Sometimes, I hear my mother talk about "tau sah". I must ask her what it is. The older folks know these things.
Your mum! Why are all mothers the same? 😀
I didn't have Cheng Beng experience when growing up because my Ah Gong requested to have his ashes scattered into the sea. I've always think that he was very cool for his time and I didn't miss the Cheng Beng rituals. But reading yours does make it sound like a nice family ritual to have together, while remembering ancestors that come before. Bonus is all the good food in Penang!
What a beautiful and captivating read. Thank you for sharing this part of your culture.
When I was visiting as a kid I used to walk up and feed the turtles. The turtles are gone, and now my grandparents are up there. Some day we'll take our kids out there but it's a long trip from the US.
Does nobody think that the school is unlucky for being built around a temple? Or is it a symbol of luck—“they’re being watched over by wise elders” and so on?
This is so beautiful. I couldn’t tell you where any of my ancestors are or where they are buried. It truly is a loss!