Big Party In Little China
I took these photos months ago for the celebration of the Chinese New Year down in Chinatown, and there were so many of them that I haven't gotten around to posting them until now.
I loved this party. If you want to see candy-colored lions and dragons slithering down the streets of the city, opening their huge mouths to the people and collecting money, dragons spouting periodic bursts of smoke, tiny wee Hawaiian or Chinese or Korean girls dressed as mini geishas, meanwhile surrounded by shops crammed with slimy betentacled creatures, knobbly vegetables without a name, roots that resemble goblins (and probably secretly are), tents with open flame and woks the size of an imperial gong filled with noodles and spices, chicken that tastes like a dream being sold on sticks and eaten with your fingers -- well then, Chinatown in Honolulu is where you want to be this spring.
Check it out.
Lots of fascinating things in the Chinatown shops. They're probably the best place to get produce, and probably the only place I would eat something if I asked what it was and the person responded with "trust me".
I often mourn the things I didn't have a chance to eat.
Everyone waiting for the parade to start.
You could tell everyone was waiting for the lions, and they were fantastic, dozens and dozens of colors.
Love the green and purple.
I loved seeing the lions up close. Just like any puppet if done well, they really came to life in the hands of the dancers, and they were beautifully made.
The old Waikiki Trolley. I wish we really could use it to get around town, but sadly, it's just for the tourists.
I like this shot because it looks like it's from another time and place entirely.
One of my favorites.
It was thrilling in an almost scary way -- like playing hide and seek with my dad when he'd pretend to be a monster stomping up the stairs -- seeing this dragon sailing over the heads of the people below. He has this expression on his face, like he recognizes you, and you can't help but feel like there's really a dragon in the distance, coming for you.
He almost got me. But I'm quick.
This guy looked like a creamsicle.
The guy in the front looks like Lo Pan from Big Trouble In Little China!
There are so many vibrant candy colors that it makes the rest of Hawaii look flat.
The dragons are sneezing.
I had to include a shot of these awesome sculptures. I couldn't get them all, but I liked them a lot.
My sister feeding the lion. Who knew Chinese lions had tongues shaped like little hands?
The High Dragon, the big kahuna, was last. If you fed him money, you got to run through his belly.
At last, they disappeared into one of the buildings.
An excellent and delicious looking new year. Can't wait for the next one.
I loved this party. If you want to see candy-colored lions and dragons slithering down the streets of the city, opening their huge mouths to the people and collecting money, dragons spouting periodic bursts of smoke, tiny wee Hawaiian or Chinese or Korean girls dressed as mini geishas, meanwhile surrounded by shops crammed with slimy betentacled creatures, knobbly vegetables without a name, roots that resemble goblins (and probably secretly are), tents with open flame and woks the size of an imperial gong filled with noodles and spices, chicken that tastes like a dream being sold on sticks and eaten with your fingers -- well then, Chinatown in Honolulu is where you want to be this spring.
Check it out.
Lots of fascinating things in the Chinatown shops. They're probably the best place to get produce, and probably the only place I would eat something if I asked what it was and the person responded with "trust me".
I often mourn the things I didn't have a chance to eat.
Everyone waiting for the parade to start.
You could tell everyone was waiting for the lions, and they were fantastic, dozens and dozens of colors.
Love the green and purple.
I loved seeing the lions up close. Just like any puppet if done well, they really came to life in the hands of the dancers, and they were beautifully made.
The old Waikiki Trolley. I wish we really could use it to get around town, but sadly, it's just for the tourists.
I like this shot because it looks like it's from another time and place entirely.
One of my favorites.
It was thrilling in an almost scary way -- like playing hide and seek with my dad when he'd pretend to be a monster stomping up the stairs -- seeing this dragon sailing over the heads of the people below. He has this expression on his face, like he recognizes you, and you can't help but feel like there's really a dragon in the distance, coming for you.
He almost got me. But I'm quick.
This guy looked like a creamsicle.
The guy in the front looks like Lo Pan from Big Trouble In Little China!
There are so many vibrant candy colors that it makes the rest of Hawaii look flat.
The dragons are sneezing.
I had to include a shot of these awesome sculptures. I couldn't get them all, but I liked them a lot.
My sister feeding the lion. Who knew Chinese lions had tongues shaped like little hands?
The High Dragon, the big kahuna, was last. If you fed him money, you got to run through his belly.
At last, they disappeared into one of the buildings.
An excellent and delicious looking new year. Can't wait for the next one.