Country Bazaar: tasting and experiencing

To prepare for the bazaar, HFI students and teachers arrived at school early in the morning and started setting up. Students are divided into a total of 43 groups, each representing a country, selling exotic drinks, snacks, and decorations, demonstrating a diversity of cultures from all around the globe.

"Which booth leaves you the deepest impression?", this is a frequently asked question, and a fluffy white creature came into our minds. When people come by, they may first be concerned that this creature will have spat on them; however, after carefully examining it, they will then realize the docile nature of this animal——it was such a cute alpaca! It is one of the most iconic features in Peru, and students in Maslow have brought it into our view. At the booth in Peru, this alpaca will be part of the Tarot card divination. Apart from the divination, there was also grilled egg custard, purple corn juice, and mashed potato salad with eggs and bacon, all worth tasting.

Following a fragrance of food drifting in the air, there are a lot more surprises all along the path. Asado Argentino is the traditional barbecue of Argentina, and pairing it with mate, a national drink of Argentina made from dried yerba leaves in hot water, the booth attracted a crowd of people; a variation of hot dog in Chile called Completo, famous for its distinctive flavor, was covered with chopped potatoes, avocado, and onions, which provide a great meal to fill your stomach; well-known Mexican tacos are made by filling fresh ingredients and various sauces in a soft corn tortilla, while nachos and cucumber juice is both delicious and healthy to eat. Coffee in Colombia, traditional Egyptian Hibiscus tea, Thai mango sticky rice... Customers can savor all kinds of traditional foods at the country booths.

Parents A: “…but the quality and taste are also unexpectedly outstanding…”

Student B: “…however, when I see the revenue we have created and hear the positive comments from our customers, I am totally satisfied…”

Visitor C: “…then I realized that one of the purposes of the International Day is to earn money to donate…”

On to the stage: performing and bidding

On International Day, not only could consumers taste cuisines from all around the world, but also immerse themselves in diverse cultures by enjoying myriads of breathtaking performances. Greece group showcased the allure of Greek mythology and brought the core values of ancient Greek culture: freedom, wisdom, and strength to lives in the enchanting melodies of “Everything I Need”. Then, accompanied by the lively stick dance, audiences traveled toward the banks of the Nile, experiencing the majesty of ancient Egyptian architecture, like Pyramids and Mummies, and the customs of Egyptians. With the resonating notes brought by the Egypt group, the mystery of this old culture was presented in a new way in a new era. More impressively, children from the Guangzhou Social Welfare Institution performed the dance “Shao Nian You Zhi” and “Xue Long Yin”. They exploited dances to express their vibrant pursuit of ideals and boundless aspirations toward their future. “Can’t take my eyes from you”, “Cosmic”, “Remember me” ...... Whether the performances were listed here or not, every program comprehensively displays the charms and uniqueness of their presenting countries, creating countless marvelous moments for International Day.

Noticeably, between performances, there was a fierce auction. From exquisite pottery, valuable calligraphy and painting works and well-known athletes’ signatures to fragrant tea, under the hosting of Mrs. Sun Mingxia, participants eagerly raised their number and bid up to vie for the lots. The auction provided visitors with an opportunity to get access to delicate artworks or rare treasures. At the same time, more significantly, it helped donate a large amount of money to facilitate the Guangzhou Social Welfare Institution and fulfilled the theme of the International Day——“praise, share and spread love”.

Parents A: “…and the money is worth spending.”

Student B: “…We have gained experiences during this huge event, and have brought contributions, though it may be minute, to the society with our efforts.”

Visitor C: …HFI International Day had truly conveyed their original theme——‘praise, share and spread love’.”

Writer: Evangel Tu, Bonnie Liu

Editor: Emily Tang