First Event!

New Year means New Beginnings!

That sentiment is especially true here at Journey Into The West! This island itself, erupting into a beautiful and diverse landscape, only came into being a few short years ago in the middle of international waters. Since it's fortuitous discovery, this place has become a home, a haven, and a metling pot for many seeking a new, better chance at life. With this same hopeful and embracing spirit we welcome all to join us in this year's festivities.

Because of the mixing of many cultures here on the island, our holidays and celebrations are sort of like a beautiful blending and amalgamation of multiple ideas, traditions, and philosophies. To start us off, we have the Cherry Blossom and Lunar New Year Festival which will last from March 16th to March 30th. So what exactly does that mean?

The Cherry Blossom Festival and viewing takes place during the days here. Tourists and locals alike are encouraged to dress in their own traditional garb and head into the smaller towns and villages that dot the landscape to really take in the natural and fleeting beauty of the blossoms. Because the flowers can symbolize clouds or the fleeting and yet still wonderful nature of life, they serve as a reminder to appreciate what one has around them even to the smallest degree. The trees are at their peak bloom during this time of year and give the entire island an enchanting and ephemeral allure that is hard to deny.

Street vendors set up shop offering everything from souvenirs to tradional foods as varied as the inhabitants of the isle, some even have dishes which contain the pink flowers and all are highly recommended. Daily parades take place down the streets with musicians, dancers, and other entertainers showing their appreciation for the cherry blossoms through their art. In this free-spirited atmosphere many are encouraged to participate or even just watch in awe from the sidelines. 

The Lunar New Year Festival is a celebration for bringing in Spring and the new year in accordance with a lunar calendar. Many inhabitants of the island come from various cultures where the date can vary but as a whole they have decided to celebrate together in a spirit of harmony. Unlike the Cherry Blossom fesitivities, these celebrations take place after the sun has set. Lanterns and fireworks light up the sky in brilliant displays of wonder, creating an atmosphere of hope and good fortune to carry through the rest of the year.

Much like the Cherry Blossom festival, the streets are filled with lively vendors selling their wares. Everything from tradional foods to souvenirs and glowsticks can be found among them. Nightly parades are held with more performers, dancers, and fire eaters to help light up the sky and to cap it all off, each village offers unique lantern and firework displays to close out the evening. It's still a bit chilly though so please bundle up if attending.

As if that wasn't enough, there is one more specialty to help usher in the new tidings of the year; a Fortune Teller. Madame Kali Flower is on the island just for this event so please feel free to visit her. Drop by her tent to get a reading, a forecast, or maybe even a small blessing or charm for good luck. If someone is a bit more shy, it is also possible to simply drop her a question and she will deliver an answer ((PM or Wall)).

Hope to see everyone there!

[[ Alright! Thanks everyone for reading all of that. Anyone may rp with the fortune teller at any time either through her wall or simply by showing up to her tent, no further plotting is necessary but please do tag her if you use her tent. If you'd like her to say something a bit more specific then just let her know through pm. Blessings and readings can be put into a small layouts which she can provide and attached to walls as a fun bit of color for having taken part in the event. We are also offering up a fun plot that will add a little something to the island and if anyone is interested in claiming that plot, please contact Jieun and she will get you started. Again, thank you very much for your patiences and please have fun!]]