Amazing Long-street Feast 奇妙的长街宴
It was said that this year’s tourism fair was so far the grandest in Honghe’s history. We could n’t wait to see it and particularly the famous long-street banquet when we got the news.
You could immediatly felt the festival flavour in the air as soon as stepping out of the compus. Seeing so many people flooding every corner of the town and we all expected it to be the most ceremonious fare. What attracted us first was the various ethnic minorities wearing their most beautiful attire, which was dsazzling colorful. Naturally they constitued the most wonderful senic belt along the streets.
Kept taking photos with the locals on our way and we felt so lucky to catch such good chance only after a month here. All we saw could be called a feast to us for we had never witnessed such unique situation. Snapping and walking, we finally arrived at our destination.
It would be for sure our most unfortable sence in our life. Alike every vistor, we were instantly besieged by the overwhelming hospitality at the gateway. First took a sip of the wine held in a tiny bamboo cup ( Just imagine when half dozen of pretty girls surrouded you competing to serve you a toast with so swweet a smile) and soon we fould ourselves drowned in the sea of hospitality. Sanwiched by too long long lines of welcoming ethnic groups, each guest I believe would felt he was the king. Lining the road in the order of various ethnic groups, they happily danced and sang for every guest, with the bizzard instruments, dazziling ornaments, crazy rythms, touching voices and so on.
The climax was the long-street banquet. Hundreds of dinner tables were joined togerther, forming the most spectacular banquet in a zigzag or other forms. It was held in front of the county stadium, where a large variaty show took place. We could enjoy the meals as well as the exciting programmes, including the most charateristc multiple-voice folksongs. Also intresting was our spontanious man waves in response to the team who toasted and sang along the tables from time to time. That really added a lot to the aready tasty banquet. Following that was bonfire, around which people sang and danced joyfully hand in hand no matter they knew each other or not.
What an a fantastic feast!
