Paper Lanterns

Yesterday, Desmond was off to Guangzhou, Dongguan, for his first FIBA International Referee Duty. He is going there for a week, having buffet for 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. I hope I can still recognise him when he is back =).

On 9 Sept, 3 days before he set off, we had an impromptu pre-Mid Autumn Festival Celebration @ Vivocity. It was a Tuesday night, hence the alfresco deck of Vivocity is pretty quiet. Quiet was good as we do not want to be embarrassed.. hehe. We found an open area near Mr Snowman and started taking out our gadgets, sticks, candles, lanterns and lighter.

It turned out that the lighting at the deck was so dim that nobody can really see this two bashful and childish adults trying to indulge in a childhood activity. The dim atmosphere also turned out to be a blessing as the photos turned out to be really bright and colourful. Credits to Desmond's Nokia N82.

Desmond lit 3 paper lanterns, red, pink and green, and it was really difficult as the wind was STRONG. We then made a contingency plan that if the wind were to blow the lanterns topsy turvy, such that the flame burns the paper lantern, (the cylinder is really small in diameter!), I will throw them to the space in front of us and Desmond will use his big fat foot to step on the flames. When we successfully lit up the candles, there was announcement sound through the Vivocity PA system. We thought the security spotted us on their CCTV playing with fire. Momentarily we panicked. Luckily nothing of that sort happened.

I had to do a presentation tomorrow morning, hence we did not stay too long. When we were about to leave, a gush of wind toppled the pink and red lanterns to the ground. Flame was extinguished immediately. No passer by around us was hurt. Phew. We were left with the green one, which we extinguished manually.

Nowadays, lantern carrying seem to be the activity for the privileged young. No adults become excited in it anymore. Maybe because it looked childish. Or we simply have no time and energy. Even the children carry battery operated ones. Are bulbs and music coming out from the lantern really more fun and interesting?

I did not remember seeing a moon on Tuesday, no mooncakes or Chinese tea were prepared as well. But atmosphere created was really heartwarming. It brought me back to my childhood days.

Thanks for bringing these memories back to me. Wish you have a safe and fulfilling trip, Desmond.