21-Aug-2020
So it's Day 14...
Tomorrow: freedom! (Well, as much freedom as the current covid-dominated climate allows.)
It's been a busy few days (where "busy" is defined as including something other than eating, reading, researching, dancing, or watching an episode of Mad Men.)
Minor-beer night
Another supermarket delivery rolled up on Tuesday.
Wednesday was Pie Day. My first attempt at low-carb pastry. (The recipe is here, but I changed the filling, and used cauliflower and cheese.) It was nice hot, and equally nice cold a couple of days later.
Wednesday was also the day the Ghost Gate Opens (gui men kai)...
Our local temple/monastery was lit up for the occasion, which marks the beginning of the seventh month of the traditional Chinese calendar. In the middle of the month -- 2 September in the Western measure of time -- the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts will roll round again. Having all these spirits wandering about means the seventh month is considered unlucky, and traditional wisdom counsels that it's not a good time to start new projects.
Thursday, on the other hand, was Awal Muharram, the beginning of the Islamic New Year. This is the second-holiest month, commemorating the migration (hijrah) of the Prophet Mohammed from Mecca to Medina in 622.
Such is life at the moment -- the inauspicious and the promising closely juxtaposed.
Anyway, for one more night, the home-quarantine routine continues. Tomorrow, we'll start to find out how "new-normal" Kuching feels.
This illuminated sign was not here when we left, which hopefully means the bridal industry is still doing OK, despite everything
There's always washing-up to do
Our neighbouring mountain, looking shy