Christina's family -- her mother, Lilian, and aunt, Rachel, invited me to join them last night at a local restaurant's (New Fortune) New Year's celebration. I was thrilled to be included and we had a fabulous time.
The evening opened with the Lion Dance - three lions (each operated by two dancers) enter and begin jumping and prancing around the room, bringing everyone to their feet.
Lilian, Rachel, myself and Christina - we had way more fun that it may appear!
The hosts for the evening, one speaking Cantonese the other Mandarin, introduce the overflowing room to the many donors of evening's events. Lilian and Rachel, being Taiwanese speakers, had some trouble following but interpreted for me when they could.
The banquet began! Here is our first dish, crispy jellyfish - it was delicious and was followed by 11 more courses including, pigs feet, lobster, mustard greens (the best!), whole rock fish, and on and on.
Apparently this is a classic Taiwanese number - the male crooner, his two back-up singers and the dancer - all performing simultaneously.
The Karaoke performance. As Lilian explained, the Taiwanese love this even if, 'it isn't perfect' and off-key puts it mildly, but their enthusiasm filled the room.
The evening concluded with a raffle - Lilian won two tickets to a show at a local Maryland casino - not sure that's her cup of tea, but it was thrilling that she won something.
We head home full and totally exhausted!
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