Several times, I started my "A Year in the Life" blog post, but I just could not seem to fully grasp what I want to share. We arrived in Shanghai now well over a year ago. We have found our comfortable groove, but we probably have not progressed to where I would expect at this time. Sometimes it depresses me, others I am energized to make a new effort. I can, however, boast the ability to navigate a taxi driver in my fourth language! Sometimes I just sit back and marvel...WE LIVE IN CHINA!
As for China, it doesn't get any more local than Chinese New Year. Call it what you will, Lunar New Year, Spring Festival, or just plain Chinese New Year!
We arrived at the tail-end of the festivities last year, so this was really our first exposure. David and the kids all had a week off work and school, and much of the country was shut! This is the primary time that the Chinese population returns to their families, share their fortune made by leaving the farm and moving to the big city, and taking a much deserved rest.
I have also managed to take in some of the culture that revolves around the holiday, including a class taught by my Chinese language teacher. We learned the why's, the what's and the how's, including some seasonal calligraphy!
Unlike most expats, we chose to stay in town for the actual New Years Eve. After many raised eyebrows from several friends and the well-wishes to "Enjoy the fireworks", we braced ourselves for the hoopla, chaos and noise.
Stores were shoulder to shoulder packed. ATM machines were full of crisp, new bills because cash is the appropriate gift at this time of year, and new bills symbolize a fresh beginning.
After all the hype, I was a little disappointed by the lack of chaos and noise. We are well perched, on the seventh floor, to see the whole horizon, and I grew up in a household of pyro-geeks. I was SO excited for the fireworks!
I decorated (with my own calligraphy)
There were fireworks. Our driver brought us two huge boxes. Then we added 4000 firecrackers to the mix!
I cooked appropriate food, jiao zi (dim sum) for the Chinese influence and chili for the American...
Then it was time for our private display...
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| Sparklers!...but each lasted only about 10 seconds |
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| This is our big box from our driver on the road below our apartment |
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| Not bad for a box bought off the street! |
Zebra, however, was not such a fan of the booming and popping...
There was not the constant barrage of fire and noise that we were expecting, though. I think the extreme decline of recent air quality played a major role as it was difficult to breathe and function BEFORE the addition of the residual from pyrotechnics.
We also went to a bring-your-own-box party where everyone had fireworks and/or firecrackers to contribute to the the display. Our small box went into the mix, but it turned out to be a dud...still fun though!
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| The aftermath of the fun...note all the red paper from the firecrackers! |
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| With the fun, comes the price - the drastic rise in pollution |
I understand that the mid-week after NYE is the major firework night, but we were not around to experience that, because we had moved on to spend a few days in
HONG KONG...
Loved to hear what another expat family was doing around then. We too had boxes and crackers (hate those ones though) to share with families. That's what it's all about...getting together to "ring-in" the prosperity of the upcoming year! You smart woman to leave after Wed (the amount of fireworks lit=$$ you have that year)...we huddled inside as Thurs's air quality readings went into "Hazardous". What fabulous CYN memories for your family...you're making it so special for them Laura, well done!
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