Roasted Chestnuts on New Year’s Day

Traditionally, most businesses are closed for Lunar New Year.  Some for 3, 4, 5 days, or even longer.  Today, however, as I ran through Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei and Mongkok,  some businesses are open, including convenience stores, fast food restaurants, fruit and vegetable vendors, …, and Mr. So’s roasted chestnut cart.  

Summer is too hot for roasted chestnuts.  But he works every single day through autumn, winter and spring.  Yesterday being New Year’s Eve, he worked late.  Hence he started the day later than usual today.  

When I ran by him this morning, he was getting ready. Adding sugar to the black sand used to roast the chestnuts.  Putting the sweet potatoes over the charcoal fire.  Too bad the sweet potato wasn’t ready.  Piping hot sweet potato is a real treat on a cold winter morning.  The color, the aroma, the sweet taste - it is heaven.  

Other than the roasted chestnuts and the potatoes, I also like the roasted peanuts.  Big, crunchy and sweet.  Simple, inexpensive pleasures.  

He is very hard working.  I pray that he does good business today.  And tomorrow, …  Good health to him and his wife.