New Year's Eve in Dongguan
I’m told the really big New Year Eve is yet to come. This was more like a warm up. Wow! I don’t know if I can take all this partying again. New Year’s Eve was another strong night of fun and entertainment. The restaurants and bars got right into the act of things, much like a night in the States.We started at the Chino Latino in Dongguan City. Yeah, that really is a Mexican/Italian restaurant. Not bad either. A dark stairway from the entry leads up to a very plush setting. I found out later that this restaurant and bar used to be a special club. I could just envision the dining area having been a smoking room of a swank private men’s club: dark, wood paneling, deep chairs, all the accoutrements.
On this night, I was with Lucas and a bunch of his friends: Claudia, Andrew, Peter and Lucy, Helen and Richard, and Marta and Tony. Only, we ordered too many lasagna dishes for the kitchen. Baking seven dishes caused a backup in the kitchen that left us wondering if we would get our meal before the New Year. The meals did arrive, and were great. It’s nice to find another good restaurant in town.
Afterward the guys split up for a dart tournament. The Chino Latino is becoming quite the place for darts. And since most of these guys were English, they were quick to get into the competition. Peter and Lucas won a bottle of bubbly that thrilled Claudia and Lucy. It was just perfect for the upcoming midnight hour.
One of the more interesting things ever seen here was then observed next door. It was actually still part of the Chino, but in a separate section. What had formerly been a disco lounge was now hosting a Singles New Year’s Eve Party. It was nothing any singles party I had ever been to. A guy with sunglasses, scarf, t-shirt, and even wilder hair was emceeing and orchestrating couples together up under bright lights. Then they threw in a fashion show of models that looked like they were ready for a wedding. Very different.
Most of us soon made it on over to the Hollywood Baby for that last turn of the clock. We weren’t alone. The place was packed with Westerners and a sprinkling of locals. And I do mean packed. The band was in rare form, and everyone was certainly in a great mood. At midnight, Jason, one of the tallest Westerners around took over the “Dick Clark” duties. It was easy for him, since he didn’t need a stage to see over everyone – even me.
It got a little raucous and crazy then. There were some charity auctions of different guests there for the party. Everyone was just too happy to care much about what was going on.
Most of us made it on over to the Woodstock, followed by early morning at The Thirsty Dog. Those bars were much quieter, and our group pretty much took over the pool tables wherever we went. Play extended into the wee hours of the New Year. Everyone was just happy to be ringing in 2006.
posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 10:45 PM
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