Chinese New Year
Happy Chinese New Year! Or 愉快的中国新年
I didn’t know what to expect staying here in China over the Lunar New Year period. I’d heard horror stories about the inability to do anything with so many places closed. But here I am. And it’s not sooo bad.
It’s true that most everything is closed now. Most Western oriented restaurants have certainly closed. Heck, there’s hardly anyone around my housing development this week. Most Westerners certainly got out of the country. Many are in Thailand or Philippines or some other more enticing locale for vacation time.
From what I have been told, most stores may as well close. They are rather superstitious about many things here, but particularly about some of the things involving the Lunar New Year:
Ø It is a time for new clothes
Ø You should not get a haircut
Ø You do not buy pants or shoes
Ø You should wash your vehicles and clean your home prior to New Year, but not on New Year’s Day
Ø I particularly love: Do not use knives or scissors, as this may cut off good fortune
As for the Chinese, most go home during this family week. Last week, numerous news reports were about long lines at the train stations. The pictures showed masses of people for as far as the eye could see, just waiting for a train. I heard from some friends that took over 48 hours to get to destinations by train, bus, and car. They say probably 1 billion people were on the move in this country last week. That’s a lot of people.
I did get in a round of golf on Friday. And it was rather relaxing. Rain hampered play for a couple of holes, but most of the time, it was just a persistent drizzle. But best of all, it was the noise that made it so refreshing! Usually there is constant construction noise in the background. On this day, we could here frogs and birds. That is rare here!! But the workers have gone home and the tall construction projects of apartments near the course were all still, with the super cranes and pile drivers quiet and still for a change.
The smog is even a little less right now. Since most every factory is idled, you can actually see a little farther. This morning was clear and beautiful. It clouded over later, but at least we can breath easier for a few days.
The celebrations are primarily a family affair. They start with a festival meal, and at midnight the fireworks ring in the New Year. And WOW! Did they ever have a lot of fireworks! A few of us ex-pats still stuck here, got together for a great dinner at a friend’s home. From his high balcony, we could see fireworks all over the city. They continued at least three hours. They were not massive, well-organized firework shows, but they sure lasted a long time.
Today, I walked around the city some. It’s pretty interesting to see the families out to show off their new clothes. Many Chinese were gathering with families for dinners. I was amazed at a Porsche, and Mercedes in front of one restaurant. As I was admiring and proceeding along, I almost bumped into a Rolls Royce parked in the front by another patron. Wow! Now that’s showing off the new riches!
posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 11:54 AM
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