Mid autumn festival

The mid autumn festival (Moon Festival) is a traditional holiday celebrated in China along with a few other countries that celebrate similar festivals.

It's one of the more important holidays in the Chinese culture. For many it's on par with Chinese New year. It dates back 3000 years and takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar. That's Friday September 29 this year. It's got a Halloween and Thanksgiving sort of feel to it because it's happening in the fall. The festival is seeded in the legend of Chang'e, the moon goddess in Chinese mythology. The idea is the moon is big and bright at this time. So you gaze up at it and think of someone far away and you feel closer to them. That's sort of cute. Oh yeah, then you eat a moon cake. Moon cakes are a big deal. I've had many students give me moon cakes. Mooncakes with your family represents the completeness and unity of families. Gettting together with your family combined with the fall gives it a Thanksgiving sort of feel.

No school Friday to celebrate mid-autumn. No school next week because it's the national holiday here in China. It's sort of like our 4th of July in the states, but it's an entire week celebrating chairman Mao's victory in the their civil war and establishment of the People's Republic of China. I'll probably golf next week at least once, but it sucks that I'll have to pay weekend/holiday rates in the middle of the week. Oh well, glad I'll get to play at least.

Headed up to Shanghai tonight. The plan is to meet up with Aiyun and meet her brother tonight or tomorrow. Not sure on our timeline. Thinking we will get out into the city and explore a bit. Perhaps Yuyuan Garden? It's pretty cool when lit up at night. Maybe I'll find some overpriced moon cakes there. They often come in cool boxes. I've saved one that a student gave me and I use it for storing my glasses and keys near my doorway. perhaps something cool to report tomorrow from

Shanghai. Happy mid-autumn festival!