Keeping low

We've had a very quiet week really. Both of us have been feeling particularly lethargic. Eric was getting over a cold and then as the week progressed, so did my sore throat. We did both walk the Bukit Brown Cemetry on Monday, a very leisurely stroll in the shade of the trees. Our numbers swelled to 14 this week. It was fortunate June had invited Jessica, one of her local friends along, who could help explain some of the features on the headstones. For example, I've learnt the unusual shape of the tomb represents the womb. Pictures painted on tiles embedded in the tombstones don,t try to depict the homeland many would have left behind in China, but instead represent heaven. They always have mountains and water incorporated. A number of the tombs are the resting places for a husband and his several wives.  She explained how the tombs are positioned with the hill behind them and the water toward the feet as per Feng Shui practice. The higher up the hill the more expensive the plot. 

Many more graves have been tended recently than on previous visits, this is probably because of recent family attention over Chinese New Year. According to our Florist friend Bernard, they will do the same again for Qingming Festival or All Souls Day on 5th April.  Its name denotes a time for people to go outside and enjoy the greenery of springtime and tend to the graves of departed ones.

Having enjoyed the movies last outing when we saw 'The Book Thief' we went back again Monday evening to see 'The Monuments Men'. While it was a good story to be told, I wasn't at all impressed with the overacting and directing. America saves the world again with strong resemblance to 'Hogan's Heroes'.