Chuck, Shaun, Grace and I met up for lunch today. This is the first time I saw them since my move to the city, and it was almost like a mini reunion (we used to work together at the same workplace but the three of them has since moved to other workplaces). I had a large plate of roast with deliciously crispy cracklings, peas, roast pumpkin and carrots and chips in lieu of baked potato, all topped with a generous serving of gravy. It was a mouth watering meal, so much so that I finished the last morsel although I was bursting at the seams!
During lunch, Shaun shared his experience celebrating the Holi festival in India. Holi is a thanksgiving festival celebrated in India where people offer prayers to God for a bountiful harvest. Holi is one of the most boisterous festivals in India and is celebrated by people throwing various colours at each other. Apparently this is also a time when the consumption of cannabis is allowed! Cannabis buds and leaves are grounded to form a a green paste, then mixed with water, milk or alcohol and drank. The concoction is called 'bhaang'. An hour later, the 'time bomb' is released. People's reactions to this drug is varied; some people react to the intoxicating drink by laughing without provocation, or talking endlessly. No wonder it's a boisterous festival!!!
I wonder what it's like if we celebrated Chinese New Year in the same style... sprinkle some cannabis on the suckling pig, or abalone slices during the traditional reunion dinner and all family feuds will be solved! No one would remember which uncle was trying to swindle the family fortune, nor which auntie was gossiping about etc.. Stoic grandpas will be laughing their heads off, and everybody will be giving the young ones bigger ang pows than they intended to. I reckon it's worth a try!
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