Tips Trips & Trails – Selena Oh

AS WE ENTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, SELENA OH FINDS THAT THE ‘LOVABLE BOAR’ NOT ONLY GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY OUR INDULGENCES BUT THEY ARE THE ULTIMATE IN CUTENESS AND THEY RAISE HER SPIRITS.

Just when you think it’s time to plunge into a new year of noble work goals and zealous resolutions, another ‘new year’ dawns upon us. Living in Asia straddles the best of East and West. The loveable Boar, the last of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, descends upon us on 5 February, but not without working up another frenzy of celebratory preparations. It gives us another chance to pig out (pardon the pun), don new rags, rekindle ties with family and friends and last, but not least, pump up the economy with all these indulgences! But who’s complaining?

STRAWBERRY CHOMPING PIGS

While on the subject of pigs…

On a drive through the Southern Forest region of Western Australia some years ago, I had the most amazing encounter with a bunch of adorable black and white spotted pigs chomping on strawberries strewn from a neighbouring patch. Cuteness overload. I was informed that the flesh of these pigs yields a pinkish hue with a divine taste. I could not bear to try!

TRUFFLES, HORATIO, OLIVER AND AUGUSTA

These are the names of four handsome bronze pigs hanging out on the famous Rundle Mall shopping strip in Adelaide. They are one of my all-time favourite pig sculptures. They were created by South African-born and Sydney-based sculptor Marguerite Derricourt. These life-sized sculptures in playful stances never fail to lift the spirits of passers-by. It sure did for me!

LINGUA FRANCA

With no knowledge of French apart from the cursory ‘Bonjour’ and ‘Merci’, I was naturally a little apprehensive on a rail journey from

Paris to Aix-les-bain. My fears were put to rest through the most delightful encounter with a friendly, elderly co-passenger who sat across me. We attempted conversation through Google Translate on my laptop to the bemused looks of the other passengers. Thank goodness for technology!

I do believe that there has to be an established lingua franca for toilet signs. It’s challenging enough grasping a few basic phrases of the vernacular when travelling. Finding the appropriate restroom for one’s gender can be a hit and miss when the signage is not in English. A couple of symbols universally agreed by the authorities-that-be would make life much easier or shall I say, ease our bodily functions.恭喜发财

Gong Xi Fa Cai!