A Birthday Bash

Just last  Sunday,  I was invited to a birthday party. Now, this is a birthday bash with a difference. When I arrived at the restaurant near our Taiping's picturesque Lake Gardens, the birthday girl was already sitting at her table, chatting merrily to her guests. On her table and on other tables too there was a big 寿桃 shoutao longevity peach. This is a Chinese bun actually, made to look like a peach. The longevity peach represents Peaches of Immortality. Chinese folk legends had it that these peaches ripen every thousands of years, and grant immortality to humans when consumed and understandably, the pastry is served during the birthdays of elderly people to celebrate their achievement in having reached a ripe old age. A lavish lunch was served that day.  We had pork ribs, roasted ducks, cereal prawns among others; but I did really think the longevity peach made the birthday bash stood out. It lent meaning to the occasion and brought pleasant surprises. When the longevity peach was cut open, there were many more little longevity peaches inside!

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