Greenland and Chinese New Year

Last month, during the crossing of the Atlantic westwards, the flight was routed way up north to avoid the strong jet streams blowing against us. We were high enough on the latitudes for us catch a glimpse of the world's largest island (2,166,086 km² /836,109 sq mi). Well, the southern tip anyway. We were about 200 km south of the town of Nanortalik, so there was no trace of life. It's winter, so temperatures must be something below zero Celcius down there. It was minus 60 where we were. But, of course, we were 32000 feet above the frigid surface below.

Nanortalik means 'place of bears' and it is the southern most town in Greenland. Looking at the landscape, it is easy to fathom why there is not any town closer to the Equator here.

Jagged coastline

Alarming sight of melting ice sheets in winter. Global warming!

The view northwards - more inhospitable terrain.

A United Airways jet that crossed the Atlantic 'with' us.

It's quite ironic for this huge island to be thus named, being covered by massive ice sheets most of the year. Was it to signify hope in a severe land with a harsh climate? Much like the Chinese of who subscribe to the symbolic or connotative significance of a name. A sickly newborn would be named after an ox or dog so he may become strong like one. The number 8, it sounds exactly the same as the word 'fortune' in Chinese. Hence the preponderance of the number in phone numbers and car registration plates. In some Cantonese households, sweet and sour dishes are served regularly with the hope for an arrival of a grandchild as the word 'sour' sounds like the word 'grandchild'.

During Chinese New Year, certain dishes are featured much for the symbolism of their names. One particular dish I like is the Hou Si (Oysters) Fatt Choy (Black Fungus). They are cooked together with mushrooms in oyster sauce gravy. The name is in Cantonese and the former can also mean 'All things' while the latter, 'prosper' or 'become rich'.

I will be missing those dishes this festive season. And, mostly, the gathering of kin. This year, there are other oceans and seas to cross as the year of the Rat begins.

My hope is that the year will bring good health and blessings for everyone. And prospering some in wealth won't do any harm. And that Greenland does not turn green and tropical.

GONG HEI FATT CHOY, EVERYBODY!!