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新年快樂 Gung hei faat choih
Posted: January 30, 2011 By: Leah Jaffee

My friend Sue stops by on Shabbat and mentions that Chinese New Year is celebrated this week. We grew up in an ethnically diverse neighborhood so these holidays are notable. We greet our Chinese friends with 'gung hei faat choih' - the greeting for happiness and prosperity. Sitting at the local kosher vegan Chinese restaurant last night, I extend greetings to the loyal staff who have worked there since the Ming Dynasty. It is a big deal to the Chinese and I remember during high school the exchange of tangerines with leaves and stems intact, along with the red money envelopes...more good luck and prosperity.

This morning, while lying in bed, I remember watching Rachael Maddow last year at this time. She is discussing the Chinese New Year and the travel in China as everyone rushes home for the holiday. It is an event described as the largest human migration in history. I have a 3 hour layover in Hong Kong. I'll now join the largest human migration in history. Online check-in with Cathay Pacific posts a number of travel advisories. One of them is the huge numbers of travelers at this time.

Another is that Bali Ha'i, which I am choosing to mean volcano, is erupting and causing flight cancellations and rerouting.

In addition, the US State Department doesn't recommend travel to Bali, and if you are there, doesn't recommend the water or alcohol!

Adding canned tuna, rice crackers, and chocolate covered raisins to my shopping list, I tell myself it will all be fine. "Sam seung sih sihng - Accomplish that in your heart"

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