In anticipation of Christmas

In anticipation of Christmas in just under a week's time, Kaohsiung seems to have taken up the spirit (in a commercialised sense). Most of the shops I walk past have Christmas trees and decorations on display. The local department store beside the arena has Christmas trees everywhere. One of the better ones is near the entrance to the food court. You may notice next to the tree that there is a small stand with things pinned to it. What I think it is that people can write a Christmas wish (for themselves or for some else) and pin it on the stand. What happens to them afterwards, I am not sure. I suspect it is like sending a message into the Universe and good fortune will come back.

On the tree itself, you may also see a sign like a big key. I presume that this is sponsor of the Christmas tree, but can you make out the detail in it? If not, I have taken another photo just below. Surprise it is from Australia! There is a store inside the department store that sells gold imported from the Perth Mint in Western Australia. Speaking of Australian products, Australian Beef is also proudly highlight with many restaurants as American Beef is considered to be inferior or not safe. Taiwan has only recently lifted a ban on American Beef and the media has gone crazy analysing this.

Anyway, back to the Christmas tree, actually I was lucky to get a photo with no one standing beside it. Usually there is a queue of people waiting to have the their photo taken beside the tree.

Inside the department store, I sneakily took a few photos. The photo on my right is literally deck the halls with bows of holly. But I didn't see anybody kissing under them. I think they were too busy shopping...

The other photo to the left shows another Christmas tree just before the main department store. This tree is also in the same theme to make a wish and place it on the tree. I don't recall seeing this theme of making a wish and pinning it to a tree in Australia or New Zealand. Personally I think it seems a good idea, particularly if you make a wish for someone else and not one's self. Like sending good energy out into the Universe.

The last photo in this post that I have is of the preparations for a concert that is to be held tonight. The riggers are working very hard to complete the stage and surrounding displays for a 7:00pm start tonight. I hope to have some stories and photos from it for my next posting.

The sponsor, I think, is a radio station called Kiss Radio. I did see a web site but unfortunately I cannot find it.

Anyway till next time, haveagoodone...