A Cowardly Lion He's Not!

Today was a very special day. Here at Chew Jetty Homestay, where we are having one of the most marvelous times of any place we've ever stayed, was to be a special day...the day the Dancing Lion would show up at the house for a big blessing. We were told by our host Siew Pheng Chew, that the dance troupe was to arrive between 9 and 10am. So we waited around, listening to any far off indication of their presence, which would mean you usually hear the cocaphonous sounds of drums and cymbals. 10 o'clock came and went and no lion. Traffic jam somewhere, due to huge rock concert, holding them up. So we went across the street for a quick breakfast of Hokkien mee (a lighter noodle soup with pork), watching out for the truck that brings the dance troupe. No one was in sight. So back to Chew Jetty Homestay we went. Eleven o'clock came and went. Then 12, 1pm...Then there was, far away at the beginning of the jetty, the sound we were waiting for. We hurried up there and there they were, the lions dancing in front of the Jetty's temple. We figured they'd be down to our place soon, so Mr. Chew hung up the vegetables and fruits at the front door that indicated to the lion that he was to stop here. You see, the lions here are vegetarians and wouldn't hurt a flea.

But 2pm came and went and still no lion. Apparently, he went to the other side of the Jetty first. But it didn't really matter, at all, as we were just greatly enjoying ourselves, sitting around and being part of the daily life of Chew Jetty. It's very interesting talking with Siew Pheng about growing up here and what daily life is like. Actually, we can kind of understand it as we have been experiencing it. The family's really nice, and there is a constant stream of activity and people watching. Okay...3pm was upon us and then right at 4pm, the white lion and his troupe were before our door.

Soon, drums and cymbals were doing their thing and Mr. Lion was dancing and prancing at our front door. He then bowed and entered into the living room. He came to the large altar, bowed before it and made some humble wriggly prostations. He then turned and headed right to the back of the house and bowed to a small altar. All this time, the entire Chew family, mom, dad, two daughters, son in law, two grand kids and us were following him all around and I think every single person except the 5 year old and 1 year old had a camera. The lion then retraced his steps to the living room, bowed some more, fluttered his beautiful eyelashes a lot, wiggled his ears a bunch, then reared up and got some fresh lettuce, limes and an offering of lucky red money which was hung up high, and accepted a plate of offerings from the hosts. He kind chewed these for a bit and promptly spit out a huge bounty of fresh fruit and candies back out all over the living room floor. He then made his way out of the house, took a few bows and it was over. Except for one little thing, the lighting of the 8 foot high pile of firecrackers that were lit up and within about 14 seconds hundreds of firecrackers exploded, the sound reverberating around the walls of the living room...LOUD!!