Chinese Moon Festival

Chinese lanterns seen during the moon festival

photo: southeastasia.org

Although the weather is still pretty steamy in New York, it's hard to believe that fall is already here. At least according to the western calendar. I know that most of us are bummed that the warm and carefree days of summer are soon no more, but there are many things to welcome about the fall - leaves transforming into gorgeous colors, a slight chill in the air and the hint of the holiday festivities on the way.

For the Chinese, this entry into the fall is honored by a Mid-Autumn Moon Festival or the Festival of Lanterns. It marks the end of the Harvest season and family and friends usually gather and celebrate together to eat moon cakes like the beautiful ones shown below and light incense as offerings to the gods. I personally am not a fan of moon cakes as there is a really salty preserved egg in the center! Instead, I usually eat around it, enjoying the sweetness of the red bean paste and reflecting upon what I enjoyed about the summer and what I have to look forward to in the fall. Happy Moon Festival everyone!

Beautiful moon cakes at the Hilton Beijing

photo: southeastasia.org