Garfield the Cat worshipped in China
I landed in Beijing in January 2010. After resting overnight
in my hotel after a particularly tiring flight from Australia (TIP: flying
during the Christmas break is hell! Children really don’t want to be on that
plane… they want to be back home playing with their new toys), I ventured out
for a wander through the streets to brave the below freezing weather.
Walking past shops with bizarre versions of Santa Clause hanging from doors and windows (I’m
sure one had fangs on him), I saw a massive Christmas tree outside a commercial
building.
It actually looked quite nice. It wasn’t a tree, so much as
a pyramid of Christmas baubles. On top of the tree, however was a very strange sight….
The unmistakeable head of one of the west’s favourite personalities…. Garfield
the Cat!!!
________________________________________________________________________
Later that year I was in Nanjing, west of Shanghai. I was
invited by my kind hosts to a banquet at a massive, multi-storey restaurant /function centre.
Apparently it is one of the most popular places to get
married and host the reception.
When we arrived there were people milling around outside.
They were all dressed nicely, and the centre of attention were the bride,
groom, their family, groomsmen, bridesmaids, photographer….. And someone dressed
as none-other than GARFIELD THE CAT!!!
Why, I asked my Chinese Friend, do I keep seeing Garfield
the Cat everywhere? And WHY is this guy dressed from head to foot as Garfield,
taking pride of place next to the bride and groom while they get theirwedding
photos taken???? 
The answer: 2010 is the Chinese year of the tiger…!
No comments:
Post a Comment