Chinese New Year: a celebration with family, food and fireworks

Sabrina’s father was born in the year of the rabbit, so he gets special attention this year. There are 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac and the order of the animals is based on a story about a race between the animals. The animal that won the race comes first and the slowest animal is last. The rat/mouse was first because he was clever. He rode on the largest animal, the ox, and jumped off at the very last second. To politely find out how old someone is in China, you can calculate it based on his/her animal.

We met up with family for lunch and dinner everyday for a few days. What I like most about Chinese food is that it’s all family style. That means that I can try everything. I can choose to try the eel, chicken, pigeon, pig’s ear, rabbit, fish, shrimp, tofu and turtle. At least those were the proteins that were mentioned to me. (Sabrina, Guy and I were surprised to see a Tesco one day, and we walked around inside. The most surprising part was to see frogs and turtles that were still alive in the meat section.) I learned that if I want to be adventurous, it is better to try food before asking what I'm eating. At the end of the meal, they serve dumplings to ensure that everyone is full. However, you know the meal is over when they serve fruit, usually watermelon and cantaloupe. At that point I was asked if I was full. The correct answer is always yes. I was also introduced to Chinese wine. In many of the restaurants you are given a small pitcher and a very small shot glass. During the meal, you wish someone else a happy new year by taking a drink with them. In a sense, it reminded me of Christmas in Poland where each person is given a shot glass that is filled with vodka. I also observed a tradition where the young children bow to their aunts and uncles on New Year's Day in return for money.

New Year’s Eve (Feb. 2) is celebrated with a big meal and then the family lights fireworks. To say that the Chinese LOVE their fireworks is a major understatement. My point of reference is our 4^th of July celebration. In our case, some people will buy their own fireworks and light them in their neighborhood. Also, the city will put on a fireworks show on one night. After living in China, I don’t think I’ll be impressed with those fireworks ever again. There were nonstop individual fireworks that began at about 8:00pm on New Years Eve and they were still going off at 10:30 the next morning. The video was taken at around 11:40pm from my hotel room, so this wasn't a special location and it wasn't the grand finale. To my surprise, they continued for many days and nights. People of all ages lite them in the middle of the street. I would love to know the number of fireworks sold during the festival. This article says that one fireworks salesman made $4,500 an hour. I’m also wondering how many people end up in the hospital. On Feb. 6^th, back in Shanghai, I walked to the store, and I felt like I was walking through fog with all the fireworks lit near our apartment. This celebration cannot be good for the country's air quality.