Temple Whoring In Mzansi
Gong Xi Fa Chai everybody. Yes I know it's a little late for happy Chinese New Year wishes but still - it's never too late to wish the auspiciousness of the Year Of The Pig on all and sundry. As an aside, one does wonder whether the Year Of The Pig is auspicious for said piggly-wigglies. I shall monitor, with great academic interest, the consumption of such piggly-wiggly-related items (not at the Shabbas table, as granny would have a cadenza!) such as bacons bits, pork and leek dumplings, schnitzels of the kind that used to go 'oink' and cocktail party snacks with ham on.
And now, back to our ham-free story...
In honour of New Year celebrations, I caved into my continual cravings for all things Asian. Thusly, a group of like-minded Asianlly-inclined folk (including Heinrich and his Korean girlfriend So-Yong) trekked forth to the Nan Hua Temple Complex in Bronkhorstspruit. Someone mentioned that it's the largest temple complex in the southern hemisphere but - in the spirit of old jokes - I've seen bigger. Although admittedly I've not seen any temples in the southern hemisphere. And I've lived here most of my life...
Still, it was a very impressive temple and even the intense heat didn't drive away the crowds, who flocked flockingly for the foodums and other festivities. How'd you like 'dem alliterative apples! Happiness for me came in the form of luoguogao, fried turnip cake, which tastes 1000 times better than it sounds. The whole extravaganza is usually covered in a delicious brown pre-cum...er, I mean sauce. Although the sauce was sadly lacking, it did not detract from the yumminess of the dish. Even ate those mini-crumpets filled with custard. Hadn't had one of those since Jenny, Erin and I were doing a spot of shopping at Shing-An nightmarket near Chez Nouveau 41st Floor...[sigh!]
The nostalgic trip down memory lane went further with the sight of small Asian kidlets everywhere. Luckily I was far too busy scoffing down Chinese food to try teach them their ABCs but the thought was there. We also kicked off our shoes and entered the main temple, where I did the whole incense thing (bow to giant Buddhist statues, send a few thank-you's to the Universe and then stick 'em in the giant urn - the incense, not the thank-you's) and enjoyed a mini-Taiwanese oolong tea ceremony. The two ladies conducting were Taiwanese and I was super happy to be able to say "xie xie nee" again. The looks of delight on their faces could've kept the Titanic afloat!
Two things were missing on the day - fireworks and anything Hello Kitty related. I ask you what's the point of concentrated Asianess when there's absolutely no Hello Kitty stuffs to buy???
And the highlight? Easy - being in the middle of the African veld ('bush' of the non-George Dubbya variety for those not in the know) but inside a massive Buddhist temple. I'm so used to seeing only Asian people at temples. So when I saw some black people and the police arrive, I just about wet my 7-11 boxers, worn specially for the occasion...
The gates of Nan Hua Temple.
A mini-pagoda.
The temple complex.
Yours truly dwarfed by Mz. Quan Yin.
Oi - stop obstructing my view dammnit!
Happiness is luobuogao!
Hein & So-Yong munch on luobuogao. Random woman in background.
Side view of Nan Hua - so pretty.
Your truly with templeness behind.
A temple in the middle of the African veld!!?!?! WTF!!!
I resisted the urge to try teach the small Asian kid some English.
Even the police joined in the fun. Check her skeefing me out...
Hein debates on whether or not to do 'the incense thing'.
My favourite shot - Africa meets Asia.
And now, back to our ham-free story...
In honour of New Year celebrations, I caved into my continual cravings for all things Asian. Thusly, a group of like-minded Asianlly-inclined folk (including Heinrich and his Korean girlfriend So-Yong) trekked forth to the Nan Hua Temple Complex in Bronkhorstspruit. Someone mentioned that it's the largest temple complex in the southern hemisphere but - in the spirit of old jokes - I've seen bigger. Although admittedly I've not seen any temples in the southern hemisphere. And I've lived here most of my life...
Still, it was a very impressive temple and even the intense heat didn't drive away the crowds, who flocked flockingly for the foodums and other festivities. How'd you like 'dem alliterative apples! Happiness for me came in the form of luoguogao, fried turnip cake, which tastes 1000 times better than it sounds. The whole extravaganza is usually covered in a delicious brown pre-cum...er, I mean sauce. Although the sauce was sadly lacking, it did not detract from the yumminess of the dish. Even ate those mini-crumpets filled with custard. Hadn't had one of those since Jenny, Erin and I were doing a spot of shopping at Shing-An nightmarket near Chez Nouveau 41st Floor...[sigh!]
The nostalgic trip down memory lane went further with the sight of small Asian kidlets everywhere. Luckily I was far too busy scoffing down Chinese food to try teach them their ABCs but the thought was there. We also kicked off our shoes and entered the main temple, where I did the whole incense thing (bow to giant Buddhist statues, send a few thank-you's to the Universe and then stick 'em in the giant urn - the incense, not the thank-you's) and enjoyed a mini-Taiwanese oolong tea ceremony. The two ladies conducting were Taiwanese and I was super happy to be able to say "xie xie nee" again. The looks of delight on their faces could've kept the Titanic afloat!
Two things were missing on the day - fireworks and anything Hello Kitty related. I ask you what's the point of concentrated Asianess when there's absolutely no Hello Kitty stuffs to buy???
And the highlight? Easy - being in the middle of the African veld ('bush' of the non-George Dubbya variety for those not in the know) but inside a massive Buddhist temple. I'm so used to seeing only Asian people at temples. So when I saw some black people and the police arrive, I just about wet my 7-11 boxers, worn specially for the occasion...
The gates of Nan Hua Temple.
A mini-pagoda.
The temple complex.
Yours truly dwarfed by Mz. Quan Yin.
Oi - stop obstructing my view dammnit!
Happiness is luobuogao!
Hein & So-Yong munch on luobuogao. Random woman in background.
Side view of Nan Hua - so pretty.
Your truly with templeness behind.
A temple in the middle of the African veld!!?!?! WTF!!!
I resisted the urge to try teach the small Asian kid some English.
Even the police joined in the fun. Check her skeefing me out...
Hein debates on whether or not to do 'the incense thing'.
My favourite shot - Africa meets Asia.