Growing up I always thought I was the year of the Tiger. I was well into my twenties when I discovered that being an early January birthday my Chinese Zodiac birth year was actually an Ox.
Due to this sudden change, I am now making it my mission to learn everything I can about the Ox and to see whether I can relate to any of the personality traits and features that this zodiac has. Oh, how I wish I loved Astrology as much as they do. To celebrate the Chinese New Year I decided to take a little pilgrimage to Chinatown here in New York City which even as a resident was still unchartered territory. Festivities kick off on the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice, so there was lots of energy and bustling in preparation for the celebration this weekend.
The dragon was out on display in every store as dragons symbolize good luck, prosperity and wisdom. After browsing the fish market, herb shops, and silk clad clothing stores, I got hungry and ventured down alleyways in search for good Dim Sum. At the end of an alley I came across an old Chinese diner from the s that looked familiar and inviting: Nom Wah Tea Parlor.
The interior of the shop was warm and smelled of incense and the elderly shop owner who reminded me of a typical Grandmother was sitting down watching a daytime soap and sipping tea.
I fell in love with this little gold piggy bank and the start of a new year seems the perfect time to own one. After playing with the bamboo flutes and admiring the craftsmanship of the percussion instruments, I purchased my new piggy and left inspired.
