Sunday, January 29, 2006

cK's Chinese New Year!

Gong Hai Fat Choi! Chinese New Year at Pacific Mall!

I was planning for months to go with my pal, Vinh and his fiancee, Bo Wen to the Ontario Science Center for the BodyWorld exhibit. We decided to meet up for a bite in Toronto's Chinatown first. Vinh knew of this all vegetarian restaurant that served food that looked like it was chicken or beef or seafood -- but it was cleverly crafted from vegetables.

Dining In Toronto's Chinatown

After dining there, we headed directly to the Science Center... only to find out that the exhibit was "sold out" for another 4 hours. We didn't want to wait for that, so it was on to plan b....

Pacific Mall
We journeyed to Markham to the Pacific Mall, hailed as the largest Asian Mall in North America. Tonight, there were celebrations all over the city for the Chinese New Year, so we wanted to go to a spot that had a lot going on.

We get to the Pacific Mall, and walk around to kill time. The main New Year's celebrations didn't start until 9:30pm. There was a lot of shops to see. The first place we stopped in was a little bubble tea cafe. Vinh and Bo Wen got a mango drink I think, I wasn't ready to have anything yet. I was going to wait and see what other goodies await me.

We find a few shops and browse through them. There was even a video arcade that had the ever popular Dance/Dance Revolution. That always draws a crowd. At the back was about 8 foosball tables. (table soccer) Vinh and I play a few rounds. After getting disgraced by Vinh, he then lets Bo Wen challenge me. She defeats me, but I was a little better this time.

After those rounds, we go to grab something to eat. To my surprise -- there was a place selling Singapore and Malaysian food!!! YESSSS!!! I order my special dish -- "Penang Fried Kway Teow!" I haven't had this since I left Malaysia in November.


Shortly, 9:30pm hit and the celebrations started. We went to the main area where hundreds of people of the asian persuasion crowded to watch. The host was talking completely in Chinese the whole night, so I was an outsider. There was the odd english word here and there, but I still was left out. That's okay. The night consisted of many traditional dances, and performances from martial art troups as well as songs. There was even a magic act.



There was a point in the night where one of the hosts paused to thank all the English speaking guests that didn't understand any of the Chinese being spoken. He looked around among the hundreds of people and asked if there was anyone that spoke English only... I sat quiet. I didn't move... yet.. with my luck -- he points me out! He asks me if I speak any Chinese since I didn't raise my hand admitting to speaking english only. I then shook my head saying 'No!' The other sidekick host makes a comment saying, "If you only speak Chinese, you have a really nice tan!" I thought it was funny.

The evening was filled with fun. Eventually, there was a countdown. I didn't understand the numbers they were counting down -- I assure you, it wasn't --- "10, 9.. 8.." You can actually see the countdown for yourself here on video. Well.. that was it! I had a great time!! GONG HAI FAT CHOI!!!

Videos from Chinese New Year!