Christmas in China
“Jingle Bells” caroling from the speakers! Children dancing and frolicking in the anticipation of gifts and treats. I sure didn’t expect that here, but that is what awaited my return to my apartment last night, the eve of Christmas Eve.The Golden Future Kindergarten across the street was definitely celebrating Christmas. I have seen the decorations for a few weeks, but really didn’t expect this much of a celebration. The street was packed with cars. Parents were escorting brightly dressed kids into the assembly grounds on this Friday evening. The speakers were blaring (I really mean loud) with the sounds of Christmas songs we all know so well. Only these recordings were definitely sung by Asian kids with strong accents and missing the letters l, r, and v. Soon you could see the kids in games of many activities as they danced in their classrooms. They were definitely celebrating!
Earlier in the day I had run back to Hong Kong for a quick trip to the doctor (stitches all out now!). While on my way to find a hamburger for lunch at Dan Ryan’s, the sound of kids singing carols filled the mall. It was just like being in Woodland or Hanes Mall. Kids on a stage were decked out in Santa hats and bellowing the words to “All I Need for Christmas”, complete with a solo by a little girl missing her two front teeth. It warmed my heart to hear the joy and spirit of the kids. The hamburger was great too!
You expect Christmas in Hong Kong. The British brought the spirit of the season to the island years ago. As I’ve mentioned before the city is ablaze in lights and decorations of the season. Two days are celebrated as official holidays for Christmas. This year it will be observed on Monday and Tuesday.
But back here in the mainland, it is much more subdued. Today is Christmas Eve, and I just got back from work. The plant will go right on operating tomorrow and into next week. I get to observe the Hong Kong holiday schedule, so I have Monday and Tuesday off with most of the rest of the management team. But the plant will go right on working.
So the celebration at the kindergarten was a little unexpected. I think they will be getting into more of the spirit over the years. You know how it is: kids get acquainted with a custom of gifts for Christmas, and they will want more of it.
I do have a few parties with friends. The Sofitel Royal Lagoon nearby has a big Christmas Celebration tonight. I am going with a friend who is part owner of Premier Furniture. We will probably go do karaoke with his management team afterward. That is a popular in all of Asia. (What will I sing tonight?) Then I go back to Hong Kong on Monday and Tuesday to join friends there in more celebrating.
Thursday night, we even had another famous Decca dinner and celebration. Tony came up to me around 4 PM and told me that this day was a “Thanksgiving Day” of sorts in southern China. Being the shortest day of the year, families usually get together. So he had just decided to close the plant 5 and those of us in management not with our families would go out to dinner together. Soon we were back in another big private room of the Grand Oriental with about 30 of our associates. And as usual, the toasts and spirits flowed. I couldn’t believe we could just plan and take off to do this in such short notice. They continue to amaze me with their partying. We had a great time.
I just learned “Merry Christmas” in Mandarin. It is something like “shen dah qua lo”. I have no idea how to spell it. I’m having a hard enough pronouncing it. I’m not sure a Rebel can speak Mandarin. Anyway, I need a nap for the next party. But to all my friends around the world: Merry Christmas to All!
posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 3:26 PM
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