Pretty Nails and Tea

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

A Chinese Tea House in Montreal

A Chinese Tea House
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Fearing a terrible traffic and a hard mission to find a parking spot downtown, we used the subway trains from St Laurent to downtown Montreal. From the station, we walked towards the Port {eventually to walk along Old Montreal and China Town}. On the way, I spotted this Chinese named tea house. We just finished a hearty lunch so no one was up for more food and tea. At my pleading, my friends agreed to take a peek with me. And my! it was beautiful. It really lived up to it's Chinese name.   I was transported to China! Really. {Take it from a girl who now lives in a small city in New Brunswick, lol.}

Seriously, this shop looked like one of those tea and souvenir shops in Hong Kong where a tour group would be taken on one of their touristy stops. Not one of those westernized Chinese novelty stores, to me everything was authentic. I looked around in amazement... every single thing was beautiful. The only thing lacking is a young Chinese girl in her traditional costume, demonstrating Kung Fu tea.   But I figured you could do your own tea ceremony once you order tea as it is served in tiny little Kung Fu tea sets and tray that you can play with on their beautifully carved tables. Splendid!

Tea? Who me? Oh, yes please!
I imagine a lazy afternoon armed with a book or letter writing materials, I would sit there for hours... How I envy the vast culture present in Montreal.   Although I don't think I could live with the traffic anymore. Can I just bring this shop home along with me? lol}

Our budget was limited so I did not buy any from the store. Although I thought it might be a good opportunity for me to share with you this fine Chinese style tea cup and caddy I got a while ago. Isn't it gorgeous?

"The traditional floral symbol of China, peonies are known as the flower of riches and honor. With their lush, full, rounded bloom, peonies embody romance and prosperity and are regarded as an omen of good fortune. Red is the symbol of happiness." ~ Teavana on the Red Peony Tea Set

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Monday, September 14, 2015

Moon Cakes and Tea on a Rainy Autumn Day

Hopiang Ube at Hopiang Baboy / 'Kundol'
(Purple Yum and Winter Melon moon cakes)

It's been rainy all day today. I like the rain. It reminds me of the Philippines. My sister and I used to play in the rain when we were young. There was constant rain {monsoons, really} in the city where we grew up. We would often come home from school soaking wet. This is expected and we were ready for it. Our books and school stuff are wrapped in plastic and we usually have waterproof backpacks. No rainboots thank you very much. It will only accumulate water and will make it hard to run. Rubber sandals are just fine. Now, I still enjoy the rain... as long as I'm inside dry and having tea, I'm okay {Well, a little homesick, but I'm okay}. Age is taking it's toll, maybe.

I also have a special treat that reminds me of the Philippines today: Pilipino style moon cakes.
Our Chinese friends the world over will soon be celebrating the Autumn Festival with their delicious moon cakes. These cakes are significant to them and are made of different ingredients for different flavors. A famous {and expensive} flavor is the lotus. Special moon cakes contain salted duck eggs.

For Pilipinos, the most common is hopiang baboy. Which means moon cake pig, literally. I don't know, maybe because pig fat is used as oil? It is made from kundol, winter melon. There are also many other different flavors such as ube {purple yum} and monggo {mung beans}. Real Pilipino hopia use pure ube or monggo versus cheaply done versions are made of flour that is only flavored and colored to look like the real thing {That's what is usually available abroad... sad... maybe I'll learn to make it one day?... maybe...}. Whatever the case, these treats are perfect for a meryenda {afternoon snack and beverage}.

Hubby and I visited some friends in Montreal, Quebec a few days ago and they took me to a Chinese Market full of Pilipino goodness. Me like a child in a candy store is an understatement. I got some hopia or moon cakes for myself and as presents for my friends. My Canadian friends weren't fans of this treat. But for Pilipinos, these cakes plus some green tea is like a hug from home on a cool rainy day.

Isn't this pink tea cup pretty? It's from a company called Sutherland and is made in England. I got it from an antique shop in Moncton a long while ago. Does it make you imagine of Cinderella's wedding gown in her latest movie? I thought so... ;-)

This very convenient mug is from David's Tea. I got it on sale on their last spring sale. I like it cause it has a stainless steel filter for easy infusion of loose leaf teas and a lid to help keep the tea warm. The mug is dishwasher safe though I elect to hand wash it anyway...

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Click image for more Tea Cups

P.S. Just another little trivial conversation.
You may be familiar with Pilipinos and the Philippines? The Philippines is a cluster of little islands in Southeast Asia, and we Pilipinos are everywhere! lol... The name "Philippines" is in honor of the King of Spain, King Philip. It may be logical then to call it's inhabitants, Philippinos, right? Like those from the USA are called Americans, from Canada are called Canadians, Vietnam is Vietnamese... so forth... But it is not in the natural tongue of the Pilipinos to pronounce 'f' or 'ph' sounds nor does repeating letters for a single pronunciation make sense, hehehe... So, Philippino to us is simply Pilipino. ;-)

Have a nice day friends!

Friday, September 11, 2015

No Angry Fire

The Citadel, Historic Site
Halifax, Nova Scotia

To the townspeople of old Halifax, these flags used to convey messages: For one, the name of the ship coming to port and it's cargo as well as ships that are leaving. Family members of sailors watch these flags eagerly to signal the return of their loved ones. It will also sound out the warning in case there is an invasion. Thankfully, there never was. No Angry Fire was ever shot in the Citadel of Halifax, it's formidable walls deterred would be conquerors. All we have is a blank shot to demonstrate the artillery, for the amusement of curious tourists {like me}.

A few days ago, I was catching up on Amazing Race Canada, I've missed a few episodes but confident that I can watch the recordings. In one of the episodes, the contestants had to spot the site of the next clue by looking for the red-and-yellow flag. Guess where the flag was? Of course, on one of these flag masts at the Citadel. For an infrequent traveler {we were in Halifax just a few weeks ago}, it is quite a nice feeling: watching a show on TV and excitedly exclaiming, "I've been there!" Won't you agree?

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