1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,340 Speaker 1: This is a C. N. A. Podcast. 2 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:17,610 Speaker 2: Are you humming along? I am That tune is unmistakable 3 00:00:17,620 --> 00:00:20,220 Speaker 2: when you hear it. You know exactly what it means. 4 00:00:20,230 --> 00:00:23,850 Speaker 2: Chinese New Year is here for me. It conjures up 5 00:00:23,860 --> 00:00:29,800 Speaker 2: images of food. So much food, Family fireworks. Covid 19. 6 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:33,370 Speaker 2: Put a pause on those celebrations for three years. But 7 00:00:33,370 --> 00:00:35,089 Speaker 2: now they're back. 8 00:00:39,979 --> 00:00:43,730 Speaker 2: Hello! Welcome to CNN correspondent. I'm your host, Teresa Tang. 9 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:46,050 Speaker 2: This episode is going to be a fun one. I 10 00:00:46,050 --> 00:00:49,680 Speaker 2: chat with our Taiwan correspondent, victoria gen and Hong kong 11 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 2: correspondent Debra Wong about their favorite spring festival memories and 12 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:59,850 Speaker 2: how this year's celebrations are different as Covid 19 restrictions ease. 13 00:01:00,740 --> 00:01:04,490 Speaker 2: Happy year of the rabbit vic and Deb. Happy New Year. 14 00:01:04,490 --> 00:01:05,610 Speaker 2: Happy New Year. 15 00:01:06,890 --> 00:01:10,570 Speaker 2: All right, let's get personal. Now I'm from Vancouver Canada 16 00:01:10,580 --> 00:01:13,810 Speaker 2: and growing up my mom always steamed fish. We had 17 00:01:13,819 --> 00:01:17,270 Speaker 2: red decorations throughout the house but it was a pretty 18 00:01:17,270 --> 00:01:20,250 Speaker 2: quiet affair because you know it was just my immediate 19 00:01:20,250 --> 00:01:23,780 Speaker 2: family though. I remember in primary school I would actually 20 00:01:23,780 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 2: take those ho 21 00:01:25,095 --> 00:01:27,715 Speaker 2: house or those red packages and I would fill them 22 00:01:27,715 --> 00:01:31,555 Speaker 2: with golden chocolate coins. Those wrapped in foil and pass 23 00:01:31,555 --> 00:01:34,545 Speaker 2: them to my classmates. Many who are not Asian, I 24 00:01:34,545 --> 00:01:36,235 Speaker 2: also gave one to my teacher and they thought it 25 00:01:36,235 --> 00:01:39,855 Speaker 2: was such a cool holiday because they received this edible money. 26 00:01:39,865 --> 00:01:42,759 Speaker 2: What was chinese new Year like for you growing up vic. 27 00:01:43,340 --> 00:01:47,620 Speaker 2: Well what I was really looking forward to was gambling 28 00:01:47,630 --> 00:01:51,740 Speaker 2: because as kids we weren't allowed to gamble and only 29 00:01:51,740 --> 00:01:54,940 Speaker 2: during chinese New Year's that kids were allowed to gamble 30 00:01:54,940 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 2: and it's a chinese tradition and it's also my family 31 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:03,130 Speaker 2: tradition that we have to gamble during chinese new year 32 00:02:03,140 --> 00:02:06,020 Speaker 2: and my mom told me that if you win 33 00:02:06,033 --> 00:02:09,283 Speaker 2: it means you will have a prosperous year and if 34 00:02:09,282 --> 00:02:12,123 Speaker 2: you lose the money you lost, we keep you from 35 00:02:12,123 --> 00:02:15,602 Speaker 2: harm's way. So either way you would have a good year, 36 00:02:15,613 --> 00:02:18,713 Speaker 2: so I would take my homebound money as my gambling 37 00:02:18,713 --> 00:02:23,002 Speaker 2: money and then um we play dice, we play cards, 38 00:02:23,002 --> 00:02:26,703 Speaker 2: it's like a little casino at home. My parents would 39 00:02:26,703 --> 00:02:28,713 Speaker 2: play the house and they would try to 40 00:02:28,726 --> 00:02:32,476 Speaker 2: let us win and to make us happy and so 41 00:02:32,476 --> 00:02:36,356 Speaker 2: after that we will use the money to buy firecrackers 42 00:02:36,366 --> 00:02:38,826 Speaker 2: and my brothers and I would pretend that we were 43 00:02:38,826 --> 00:02:43,726 Speaker 2: fighting a war and then these firecrackers, our ammunitions and 44 00:02:43,736 --> 00:02:46,956 Speaker 2: that we can use to kill our enemies. So those 45 00:02:46,956 --> 00:02:50,516 Speaker 2: are the memories that I still have remembering from my 46 00:02:50,516 --> 00:02:51,405 Speaker 2: childhood 47 00:02:51,830 --> 00:02:54,290 Speaker 2: vic. Did you know your parents were letting you win 48 00:02:54,290 --> 00:03:00,030 Speaker 2: those games? Yes, I do. Okay and Deb, you're laughing 49 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:02,450 Speaker 2: what was your fondest memory this time of year when 50 00:03:02,450 --> 00:03:04,240 Speaker 2: you were young was gambling a part of it too, 51 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 2: gambling was a huge part of it. Well because my family, 52 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:10,579 Speaker 2: we love to play mah jong but we only were 53 00:03:10,580 --> 00:03:13,250 Speaker 2: allowed to play mah jong as kids, you know, same 54 00:03:13,250 --> 00:03:16,470 Speaker 2: as when chinese new Year rolled around. But I ended 55 00:03:16,470 --> 00:03:19,290 Speaker 2: up losing all my money to my grandma anyways. So 56 00:03:19,300 --> 00:03:22,770 Speaker 2: for me really the fondest memories I've had of chinese 57 00:03:22,770 --> 00:03:24,550 Speaker 2: new year is definitely the food because I think that 58 00:03:24,550 --> 00:03:27,970 Speaker 2: was when I realized how different cooking styles were across 59 00:03:27,970 --> 00:03:30,740 Speaker 2: the dialect groups in Singapore. So like for instance my 60 00:03:30,740 --> 00:03:32,660 Speaker 2: mom's side is Cantonese and my 61 00:03:32,685 --> 00:03:36,565 Speaker 2: grandma was really fond of making steamed and roasted dishes. 62 00:03:36,565 --> 00:03:39,005 Speaker 2: I remember there was always going to be steamed prawns 63 00:03:39,015 --> 00:03:42,775 Speaker 2: chinese mushroom and black fungus, steam caught fish and then 64 00:03:42,775 --> 00:03:45,345 Speaker 2: you have the roasted pork whenever it comes out of 65 00:03:45,345 --> 00:03:48,295 Speaker 2: the oven. You know, we would just salivate and she 66 00:03:48,295 --> 00:03:52,755 Speaker 2: would always make from scratch and that was really a 67 00:03:52,755 --> 00:03:55,025 Speaker 2: lot of hard work but it was super fresh every 68 00:03:55,025 --> 00:03:57,465 Speaker 2: time we tossed it to welcome the New year and 69 00:03:57,465 --> 00:03:59,645 Speaker 2: on my dad's side because we are 70 00:04:00,930 --> 00:04:04,160 Speaker 2: the food was a lot richer and there was heavier 71 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:07,220 Speaker 2: gravy and all that. And so whenever we had reunion dinners, 72 00:04:07,230 --> 00:04:11,270 Speaker 2: we always had braised duck curries, no young is a 73 00:04:11,270 --> 00:04:14,060 Speaker 2: type of pork and vegetable blanket roll and there was 74 00:04:14,070 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 2: always so yeah, different types of food. And that was 75 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:21,410 Speaker 2: the most memorable. You know, my my waistline always expands 76 00:04:21,410 --> 00:04:24,940 Speaker 2: a couple of inches every time. Yeah, so much heart 77 00:04:24,950 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 2: goes into the preparation of food this time of year. 78 00:04:27,760 --> 00:04:32,200 Speaker 2: But then of course came COVID-19 and never would anyone 79 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:36,350 Speaker 2: have imagined that meeting family, particularly elderly relatives would be 80 00:04:36,350 --> 00:04:40,430 Speaker 2: a health risk. People actually fearful that getting too close 81 00:04:40,430 --> 00:04:43,849 Speaker 2: to their grandparents could be dangerous for them vic. How 82 00:04:43,850 --> 00:04:48,100 Speaker 2: did the pandemic impact your plans and that of other Taiwanese? 83 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:52,210 Speaker 2: Well, aside from traveling abroad, I must say that the 84 00:04:52,210 --> 00:04:56,960 Speaker 2: pandemic didn't really impact my life as much as some 85 00:04:56,970 --> 00:05:01,700 Speaker 2: other people because here in Taiwan there wasn't any lockdown. 86 00:05:01,700 --> 00:05:05,180 Speaker 2: So we were able to move about freely and I 87 00:05:05,180 --> 00:05:08,150 Speaker 2: was able to go to work and go to interviews 88 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:11,650 Speaker 2: and do stories and I have to say that I 89 00:05:11,650 --> 00:05:11,969 Speaker 2: feel 90 00:05:11,983 --> 00:05:15,383 Speaker 2: very fortunate that I still have a job and I 91 00:05:15,383 --> 00:05:18,383 Speaker 2: was still able to work because a lot of people 92 00:05:18,383 --> 00:05:22,583 Speaker 2: lost their jobs during the pandemic. And a lot they 93 00:05:22,583 --> 00:05:25,553 Speaker 2: have lost a big chunk of their income because of 94 00:05:25,553 --> 00:05:30,613 Speaker 2: the pandemic, especially in the tourism related industry. Now it's 95 00:05:30,623 --> 00:05:35,113 Speaker 2: estimated that three million people work in the sector. So 96 00:05:35,113 --> 00:05:35,430 Speaker 2: you can 97 00:05:35,446 --> 00:05:40,976 Speaker 2: imagine how many lives have been affected because of the pandemic. 98 00:05:40,986 --> 00:05:45,966 Speaker 2: But fortunately business are gradually returning to normal and so 99 00:05:45,966 --> 00:05:48,966 Speaker 2: are our lives. And I spoke to some on the 100 00:05:48,966 --> 00:05:52,195 Speaker 2: street and then they said that they can't wait for 101 00:05:52,196 --> 00:05:55,436 Speaker 2: the economy to pick up steam in the year of 102 00:05:55,446 --> 00:05:58,906 Speaker 2: the rabbit. So let's hear what they had to say. 103 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:03,260 Speaker 2: I wish for a better economy. Make more money from 104 00:06:03,260 --> 00:06:05,510 Speaker 2: my investment because I lost quite a bit of money 105 00:06:05,510 --> 00:06:10,690 Speaker 2: last year. I hope for a better career and better economy. 106 00:06:10,700 --> 00:06:12,559 Speaker 2: So everyone can make more money. 107 00:06:13,589 --> 00:06:17,720 Speaker 2: Yeah money. Clearly a priority for many people this year, victoria. 108 00:06:17,740 --> 00:06:22,390 Speaker 2: Deb unfortunately though the pandemic stole precious years from some 109 00:06:22,390 --> 00:06:25,750 Speaker 2: families with loved ones, both young and old who passed 110 00:06:25,750 --> 00:06:29,779 Speaker 2: away without ever making that rescheduled reunion dinner not just 111 00:06:29,779 --> 00:06:32,160 Speaker 2: death but sickness set in for many as well. 112 00:06:33,089 --> 00:06:35,650 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's very surreal because you know this time last 113 00:06:35,650 --> 00:06:39,170 Speaker 2: year Hong kong was just beginning its fifth covid wave 114 00:06:39,170 --> 00:06:41,840 Speaker 2: and it ended up being the most intense wave yet 115 00:06:41,839 --> 00:06:44,539 Speaker 2: and I remember having to serve 21 days of quarantine 116 00:06:44,540 --> 00:06:46,859 Speaker 2: because that was around the time I also arrived in 117 00:06:46,860 --> 00:06:49,860 Speaker 2: the city. In fact my first day out of quarantine 118 00:06:49,860 --> 00:06:52,460 Speaker 2: was the eve of chinese new year. And you would 119 00:06:52,460 --> 00:06:55,570 Speaker 2: think that in a dense asian city like Hong kong 120 00:06:55,570 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 2: it would be bustling. But 121 00:06:57,100 --> 00:07:00,160 Speaker 2: it was very quiet. The streets were super quiet because 122 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:04,210 Speaker 2: many shops were shut and I remember hearing announcements of 123 00:07:04,220 --> 00:07:06,450 Speaker 2: the annual flower affairs which is you know usually the 124 00:07:06,450 --> 00:07:10,280 Speaker 2: most vibrant lunar new year chinese new affairs, sorry, they 125 00:07:10,280 --> 00:07:13,250 Speaker 2: were canceled across all 15 districts and restaurants at that 126 00:07:13,250 --> 00:07:16,780 Speaker 2: time were banned from operating after six p.m. So essentially 127 00:07:16,780 --> 00:07:17,350 Speaker 2: there was no back 128 00:07:17,610 --> 00:07:20,640 Speaker 2: could be held, no reunion dinners outside could be held 129 00:07:20,650 --> 00:07:23,320 Speaker 2: even if families could still gather at home. You know 130 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:26,210 Speaker 2: many of them chose not to because around that time 131 00:07:26,210 --> 00:07:28,700 Speaker 2: there was a large proportion of senior citizens who are 132 00:07:28,700 --> 00:07:32,710 Speaker 2: not vaccinated and there was also very fatal outbreaks happening 133 00:07:32,710 --> 00:07:36,430 Speaker 2: across elderly care homes and instead of a reunion, remember 134 00:07:36,430 --> 00:07:37,640 Speaker 2: some families had to wait 135 00:07:37,790 --> 00:07:41,100 Speaker 2: outside hospitals to bury their dead instead. So it was 136 00:07:41,100 --> 00:07:44,500 Speaker 2: a very surreal sight and that was just in Hong 137 00:07:44,500 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 2: kong alone. You know residents here, they couldn't travel back 138 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:50,590 Speaker 2: to the mainland to visit their relatives. In fact, one 139 00:07:50,590 --> 00:07:52,390 Speaker 2: of my friends said he missed the chance to say 140 00:07:52,390 --> 00:07:55,940 Speaker 2: goodbye to his grandma in Guangzhou because she died last year. 141 00:07:56,130 --> 00:07:59,220 Speaker 2: So this chinese senior, he's actually going to be booking 142 00:07:59,220 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 2: tickets to head back across the border to pay respects 143 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: with his family. And this year we are seeing a 144 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:08,090 Speaker 2: big shift in the mood because the border between Hong 145 00:08:08,090 --> 00:08:11,800 Speaker 2: kong and china just reopened. So people are visibly more cheerful. 146 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:13,989 Speaker 2: You know the streets are coming back to life. In 147 00:08:13,990 --> 00:08:14,660 Speaker 2: fact when I exit 148 00:08:14,675 --> 00:08:18,375 Speaker 2: my apartment today everything was splash and red decorations. You 149 00:08:18,375 --> 00:08:21,625 Speaker 2: know definitely you feel the mood coming back after an 150 00:08:21,635 --> 00:08:26,345 Speaker 2: intense year of restrictions. People are definitely a lot more 151 00:08:26,345 --> 00:08:31,515 Speaker 2: prepared to handle Covid. Now the virus is not serious. 152 00:08:31,515 --> 00:08:35,675 Speaker 2: People are also vaccinated and many already have had the virus, 153 00:08:35,684 --> 00:08:38,554 Speaker 2: their immune now. So I think going out is quite 154 00:08:38,554 --> 00:08:40,995 Speaker 2: safe if you just put on the mask to prevent 155 00:08:40,995 --> 00:08:42,540 Speaker 2: the spread of covid 19 156 00:08:43,030 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, last Chinese new year. I remember some people here 157 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:49,699 Speaker 2: in Singapore. They were gathering in small groups because the 158 00:08:49,700 --> 00:08:52,410 Speaker 2: government allowed that at the time but I was still 159 00:08:52,410 --> 00:08:55,559 Speaker 2: so nervous about it. I had just delivered my son 160 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:58,189 Speaker 2: and I was in confinement and I was very glad 161 00:08:58,190 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 2: that I actually had an excuse not to go out. 162 00:09:01,510 --> 00:09:04,500 Speaker 2: Okay. Time for a short break. When we return we 163 00:09:04,500 --> 00:09:08,110 Speaker 2: talked to vic and Deb about how people and businesses 164 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:10,860 Speaker 2: geared up for the festive celebrations this year. 165 00:09:18,620 --> 00:09:21,459 Speaker 2: Are you looking for ways to make your money work 166 00:09:21,460 --> 00:09:25,829 Speaker 2: harder for you or need tips on saving, investing and 167 00:09:25,830 --> 00:09:30,500 Speaker 2: making financial decisions? Join me. Sarah Khaldi on money talks, 168 00:09:30,570 --> 00:09:35,870 Speaker 2: CNN's top personal finance podcast from investment basics too. 169 00:09:35,895 --> 00:09:39,655 Speaker 2: The fire movement and legacy planning. I look at financial 170 00:09:39,655 --> 00:09:43,055 Speaker 2: trends and new stories that matter to you. Check out 171 00:09:43,065 --> 00:09:46,195 Speaker 2: our complete playlist on the C. N. A. Ap apple 172 00:09:46,195 --> 00:09:50,324 Speaker 2: and google podcasts or Spotify. You can also follow us 173 00:09:50,335 --> 00:09:52,945 Speaker 2: or subscribe for new weekly episodes. 174 00:10:05,580 --> 00:10:08,470 Speaker 2: Welcome back! What you just heard was a video I 175 00:10:08,470 --> 00:10:10,780 Speaker 2: filmed in 2012 when I lived in Beijing 176 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:13,329 Speaker 2: I was on the 18th floor balcony of my friend's 177 00:10:13,330 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 2: apartment and it just struck midnight and you can hear 178 00:10:16,450 --> 00:10:19,660 Speaker 2: the relentless explosion of fireworks as far as the eye 179 00:10:19,660 --> 00:10:23,720 Speaker 2: could see a canopy of screeching lights and smoke that 180 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:27,780 Speaker 2: went on for hours, fireworks and also flowers Deb they 181 00:10:27,780 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 2: are staples for Chinese new year and Hong Kong's floral 182 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 2: markets are back in full force aren't they? With the 183 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:35,650 Speaker 2: border as you mentioned between Hong Kong and the mainland 184 00:10:35,660 --> 00:10:39,229 Speaker 2: open now tell us about businesses. Have they seen a 185 00:10:39,230 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 2: surge in sales this year. 186 00:10:41,370 --> 00:10:45,430 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, definitely. The streets more vibrant and like last 187 00:10:45,429 --> 00:10:47,780 Speaker 2: year I see a lot more decorations on the streets 188 00:10:47,780 --> 00:10:51,250 Speaker 2: in office lobbies whenever I come into work in the morning, 189 00:10:51,250 --> 00:10:54,790 Speaker 2: there is this huge peach blossom that is set right 190 00:10:54,790 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 2: in the middle of the lobby and unfortunately I keep 191 00:10:57,360 --> 00:10:59,730 Speaker 2: jabbing my face into it because it's just really 192 00:10:59,980 --> 00:11:02,660 Speaker 2: all out, you know, people are really going all out 193 00:11:02,660 --> 00:11:05,050 Speaker 2: here and one thing that stands out really is the 194 00:11:05,050 --> 00:11:08,420 Speaker 2: abundance of peach blossoms and these little orange trees which 195 00:11:08,420 --> 00:11:12,250 Speaker 2: we call cut in Cantonese and both symbolized prosperity 196 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:15,820 Speaker 2: abundance and lots of very popular items that you normally 197 00:11:15,820 --> 00:11:19,300 Speaker 2: see around. So we visited some flower farms in the 198 00:11:19,300 --> 00:11:22,790 Speaker 2: new territories and peach blossom farmers that has already sold 199 00:11:22,790 --> 00:11:26,490 Speaker 2: about some 90% of his crop since a month back 200 00:11:26,490 --> 00:11:29,120 Speaker 2: and sales has actually gone up by at least 10%. 201 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:32,220 Speaker 2: So pretty good sales so far. And we also headed 202 00:11:32,220 --> 00:11:34,099 Speaker 2: down to flower fairs, 203 00:11:34,113 --> 00:11:38,833 Speaker 2: specifically the one at victoria park. So victoria park usually 204 00:11:38,833 --> 00:11:42,482 Speaker 2: sees a lot of people, but because the announcement that 205 00:11:42,482 --> 00:11:45,023 Speaker 2: flower fairs could resume this year came a little bit 206 00:11:45,023 --> 00:11:48,333 Speaker 2: too late. We're only seeing a very slow recovery, not 207 00:11:48,333 --> 00:11:50,903 Speaker 2: a lot of vendor booths up at the moment, you know, 208 00:11:50,903 --> 00:11:54,573 Speaker 2: the crowd was not as huge as before because many 209 00:11:54,573 --> 00:11:55,773 Speaker 2: farmers couldn't prepare that 210 00:11:55,785 --> 00:11:59,006 Speaker 2: stock in time. So it is large. It is still 211 00:11:59,006 --> 00:12:02,816 Speaker 2: vibrant but we are still seeing very slow uptake at 212 00:12:02,816 --> 00:12:05,896 Speaker 2: the moment. But one thing that's definitely picking up is 213 00:12:05,905 --> 00:12:08,246 Speaker 2: the food scene, you know, ever since Hong kong lifted 214 00:12:08,256 --> 00:12:11,816 Speaker 2: most of its covid restrictions in december, there's no capacity 215 00:12:11,816 --> 00:12:15,176 Speaker 2: limit on groups, dining out at restaurants. We are definitely 216 00:12:15,176 --> 00:12:17,446 Speaker 2: seeing a lot of restaurants being booked out, 217 00:12:17,940 --> 00:12:20,949 Speaker 2: Chinese new year. It's a time for families to take 218 00:12:20,950 --> 00:12:24,839 Speaker 2: holidays right vic with the ease of travel returning, many 219 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:27,730 Speaker 2: are heading out and that means hotels are making up 220 00:12:27,740 --> 00:12:31,160 Speaker 2: for lost time. Oh yes, that's right. A lot of 221 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:35,530 Speaker 2: families took the opportunity to travel to around different parts 222 00:12:35,530 --> 00:12:39,460 Speaker 2: of Taiwan and the occupancy rate for most hotels has 223 00:12:39,470 --> 00:12:41,309 Speaker 2: exceeded 90% 224 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:44,890 Speaker 2: And some say that they are actually better than before 225 00:12:44,890 --> 00:12:48,350 Speaker 2: the pandemic. Now on the one hand that they're happy 226 00:12:48,350 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 2: that the business are returning, but on the other at 227 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:56,030 Speaker 2: least 60% of the hotel said that they're struggling with 228 00:12:56,040 --> 00:12:59,830 Speaker 2: labor shortage because at the height of the pandemic, a 229 00:12:59,830 --> 00:13:02,929 Speaker 2: lot of the people were laid off and so now 230 00:13:02,929 --> 00:13:06,339 Speaker 2: that the business have returned that they're scrambling to try 231 00:13:06,340 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 2: to recruit new employees to serve their customers and 232 00:13:11,375 --> 00:13:15,665 Speaker 2: Especially with the housekeeping part, they said that they're short 233 00:13:15,665 --> 00:13:21,375 Speaker 2: handed by 70%. So some hotel managers even have to 234 00:13:21,385 --> 00:13:24,795 Speaker 2: do it themselves by going to the rooms and clean 235 00:13:24,795 --> 00:13:30,105 Speaker 2: the rooms and make the beds themselves. And yeah, that 236 00:13:30,105 --> 00:13:33,694 Speaker 2: is pretty incredible. So I did a story on this 237 00:13:33,695 --> 00:13:37,934 Speaker 2: and we went to this amusement park in Taichung city 238 00:13:37,934 --> 00:13:41,255 Speaker 2: and it was full of people at the time 239 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:45,330 Speaker 2: and I also, I did my first P. T. C. 240 00:13:45,330 --> 00:13:50,970 Speaker 2: On a roller coaster now, it was very exciting for 241 00:13:50,970 --> 00:13:53,290 Speaker 2: listeners who don't know PTC is a piece to camera. 242 00:13:53,290 --> 00:13:56,219 Speaker 2: So when you see the reporter and Vicki were on 243 00:13:56,230 --> 00:13:59,900 Speaker 2: the roller coaster, that's right. I was, I was riding 244 00:13:59,900 --> 00:14:03,309 Speaker 2: on a roller coaster. It was my first time doing 245 00:14:03,309 --> 00:14:07,540 Speaker 2: it live in front of the camera and I have 246 00:14:07,540 --> 00:14:10,500 Speaker 2: to say it was very exciting the first time around. 247 00:14:10,690 --> 00:14:14,870 Speaker 2: But you know with television you need to have different 248 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:19,220 Speaker 2: angles of different shots. Right? So we actually have to 249 00:14:19,220 --> 00:14:25,500 Speaker 2: write it three times three times okay on the roller coasters. 250 00:14:25,510 --> 00:14:29,110 Speaker 2: So by the third time I was just glad that 251 00:14:29,110 --> 00:14:32,850 Speaker 2: I didn't puke my brains out the things you do 252 00:14:32,850 --> 00:14:34,020 Speaker 2: for your job. 253 00:14:34,790 --> 00:14:40,330 Speaker 2: Alright, let's wrap up this podcast with some rapid fire questions. 254 00:14:40,340 --> 00:14:42,800 Speaker 2: So in five words or less I'm going to ask 255 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:44,900 Speaker 2: you a few things vic. You go first and Deb 256 00:14:44,900 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 2: you can answer right after first off your favorite chinese 257 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:49,300 Speaker 2: new Year dish. 258 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:52,290 Speaker 2: It's mullet role for sure. 259 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:57,050 Speaker 2: For me it's crispy sambal prawn spring rose. Oh both 260 00:14:57,060 --> 00:15:01,250 Speaker 2: these sound delicious. Next a personal chinese new Year tradition. 261 00:15:01,260 --> 00:15:05,940 Speaker 2: I usually write my New Year resolution on chinese New 262 00:15:05,940 --> 00:15:09,350 Speaker 2: Year and of course the first one this year is 263 00:15:09,350 --> 00:15:11,710 Speaker 2: to lose three kg 264 00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:18,910 Speaker 2: Deb. Um well mine is losing to my grandma and 265 00:15:18,910 --> 00:15:21,940 Speaker 2: my john because I just want to make her happy 266 00:15:22,860 --> 00:15:26,690 Speaker 2: and finally your wish for this year of the rabbit. 267 00:15:26,860 --> 00:15:31,260 Speaker 2: Well mine is peace across the Taiwan strait. Oh wow, 268 00:15:31,260 --> 00:15:34,660 Speaker 2: that's a big ask. I'm not sure I'm ready to 269 00:15:34,660 --> 00:15:36,670 Speaker 2: be a war correspondent yet. 270 00:15:38,080 --> 00:15:40,540 Speaker 2: Okay, mine's a little bit milder. Mine is that the 271 00:15:40,540 --> 00:15:44,430 Speaker 2: borders remain open because it's just been so incredibly difficult 272 00:15:44,430 --> 00:15:48,350 Speaker 2: to pursue stories in china or even shuttle back and 273 00:15:48,350 --> 00:15:51,510 Speaker 2: forth Singapore and Hong kong. So yeah, that the borders 274 00:15:51,510 --> 00:15:55,060 Speaker 2: remain open in that politicians don't go back on their word. 275 00:15:55,460 --> 00:15:58,220 Speaker 2: That's a good one to Deb and vic, thank you 276 00:15:58,220 --> 00:15:59,950 Speaker 2: so much for this. That was a lot of fun, 277 00:15:59,960 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 2: wishing you both as well as our listeners. A very 278 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:06,230 Speaker 2: happy and prosperous chinese new Year. Happy new Year, Teresa, 279 00:16:06,230 --> 00:16:08,870 Speaker 2: Happy New Year, Teresa happy to be here. 280 00:16:10,490 --> 00:16:14,110 Speaker 2: The tv version of Sienna correspondent airs on sienna every 281 00:16:14,110 --> 00:16:17,140 Speaker 2: Wednesday at 9 30 PM. Catch up with them any 282 00:16:17,140 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 2: time on sienna dot asia and follow this podcast version. 283 00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:23,360 Speaker 2: So you'll know when a new episode is out. The 284 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:27,400 Speaker 2: team behind this episode is Jacqueline chan clara yong Christina 285 00:16:27,400 --> 00:16:29,390 Speaker 2: robert and me, Teresa tang