An Accidental Lion Dance

They day was kind of normal. Work for the parents who had a professional development day, and a play date for the girls. Irini's friend Allie was over for a visit and, when it was ending, Drew (Allie's father) mentioned going out to dinner. Daddy was happy to add his family to the dinner plans and had no qualms about inviting himself. Thankfully the gracious friend agreed and we went off to a local vegetarian restaurant for dinner. 

While there, what started as a normal dinner experience turned into a Chinese New Year lion dance. And not a mere lion dance, but perhaps the best one we have been part of.  A few parking spaces out front were cordoned off so that the dancers - probably close to 20 of them - could "do their thing". The dancers ranged in age from about five or so (smaller than our girls) to over 35, each doing their little improv dance routine on the street. The smaller boys were at the appropriate height for our little friends and so what ensued was a small team of little ones running back and forth trying to get the best view as the lion dancers walked through the restaurant (and the one next door). 

Then, as is customary, the lion/dragon climbs up a pole and eats a cabbage that has been placed above the entrance of the establishment. The lion proceeds to munch on it and then essentially regurgitates it back out, followed shortly with money bills, for good luck of course. At that point a jubilous crowd desends to pick up the bills or jumps up and down trying to trap them as they flap back and forth. Our girls came out of the pile with a bit of cash of their own, and with big smiles on their faces. 

But daddy had been holding little Eva, one of Amalia's school friends. She had been scared of the drums and clanking symbols and so daddy had picked her up. Then, with the money flying they weren't able to beat the others to any cash. When Irini realized this she gave little Eva three of her five ringgit that she had picked up. Later, when Amalia appeared with a ten and two ones, it was daddy's turn to equal things out by giving Irini a ten, leaving each girl with 12 and a very happy grin across their face. 

From a community standpoint it was a wonderful experience too. The dancers came with their parents and a number of largely Chinese Malaysian onlookers were there with their children, making it quite a wonderful experience. In fact, it was the first time our girls weren't scared of the noise and that allowed us all the chance to be taken in, to enjoy quite thoroughly, the cultural experience.

... and a Horseback Ride!

... and while we were at the Farm in the City, why not also to on a pony ride!  For Amalia it was the very first time. Irini had gone on a similar, though slightly longer, ride earlier in the year when she went to her classmate's cowboy themed birthday party. 

The ride was short, but both girls thoroughly enjoyed it quite nicely!  Add that to a host of little animals to cuddle and hold and feed and it was an overall success!

A Farm... In the City?

It had been "on the list" for quite some time, perhaps months. But with Chinese New Year giving us a great opportunity for a few days off, and our choice to stay in town (KL is always great during CNY as the roads are empty and the drivin' is almost relaxing!). We'd been told of this place by friends who had described it as a petting zoo. Truth be told it wasn't exactly what we expected... more like a zoo or small animals (from monkeys to prairie dogs) from all over the world. Not quite the "farm" feel we were expecting but, none-the-less interactive and engaging for our girls. 

The girls giddily ran back and forth looking at a host of different animals - from meerkats to racoons to a reticulated python snoozing above us as we walked through. They fed some birds, and some fish and some rabbits (the latter was the highlight of the visit) and rushed back and forth to see the different animals. They also got to pick up the rabbits (as in these pictures, of course) and some baby chicks as well. Overall it was a great visit. 

It's not quite the traditional story of Chinese New Year but it was a hit none-the-less.