Crackers, but Christmas has passed!

Well, Chinese New Year has arrived and if you are unsure whether it is upon you or not, you just have to make sure that you support yourself with a good pair of ear plugs as the firecrackers are being let off morning, noon and night! Also the red lanterns are out on the roads again, adding to
a festive feel, whilst fireworks light up the sky. Nevertheless it seems strange to me in a country that is so careful as to the welfare of its children, it lets them run around freely pulling lit firecrackers along behind them!

The shops pre new year were full of shoppers as they purchased food items in gift packs and red underwear for those whom the Golden Year of the Ox is their birth year, so have to wear a red item
on their person the whole year through. Visitors from the west are always under the impression that things in China are 'dirt' cheap, but this is not so, as quality items and fashion couture names are probably even more expensive here than in Europe, whereas cheap items can be bought anywhere in the world, the difference being here that some brands have given permission to have their items
copied, but in some cases do not. Buying cheap for limited funds usually means poor quality, but
what there is here in abundance is 'factory' outlets where you can purchase the real item, at half price. This in turn could be likened to an extremely classy second hand store, where you at times
can pick up new goods but for half their retail tag.

Knowing how to bargain is the key, research of prime importance and knowing when to walk away either when you have met your match or in hope of a better deal. I personally only go shopping when I am in the market
to make a purchase, whether it be with friend, colleague or student, I will
argue the price till I get the deal that I want. Do not be intimidated or believe all that you read in the guide books about the 'aggressive' sales people, money changing hands will always talk.

New Year is a family time and China is no different to anywhere in the world, where members wish
to be together and it rather nice and not at all disturbing to hear the noise of my neighbors as they
go up and down the stairs in groups, laughing and chattering away to each other in their excitement. Looking out the window it is also a pleasing sight to see the inhabitants of this city bundled up against the wind and cold, clutching their red parcels and gifts, laden in their arms, as they ensure that they make their way to pay their respects to all members of their extended family.
Here even though our cultures are different, festivities are generally the same.

Eating as I have mentioned before never ceases to astonish me, but even though slurping soup and pulling up noodles with a whoosh and not like we eat spaghetti, there is a custom to the order of eating. Chopsticks should be used in communal dishes, working your way from the outside in, but for others a separate set is used. Napkins though are small and licking sticky fingers surprisingly not acceptable. The delicate way of rolling up Peking Duck can be tricky, but the taste
is delicate and worthwhile. In my opinion though, as I have said before, Chinese food is generally
too wet either being cooked in too much oil or water for my taste.

It is nice though to see the locals come out of hibernation in the cold winter, wrapped up in an array of woolly caps and hats, scarves and fur lined boots, with thick sheepskin gloves adorning their hands. Even though snow has as of yet not appeared, the cold has a way of seeping through your bones. Taxis on a freezing morning can be an impossibility to find, causing one to wait for more than 30 minutes whilst they pass by full and unwilling to stop, although I have found that with a cane in hand, they are more obliging than without and ofter come around the side to offer assistance if
needed or not.

So, I have read my horoscope, am taking the required vacation, snuggling up in my central centrally heated apartment, working my way through my pantry and catching up on my blog.
What will this year hold in store? For that I shall have to wait and see. Hopefully for all of us,
good health, peace and prosperity and I will add to that love of your family, good friendship and
enjoyment in whatever you do.