So we are packed. My men are both asleep. I finally figured what to take what not to take. We are ready to escape the big party.
Indeed.
The Chinese New Year celebrations are the biggest celebration of the year. People travel across the country to reunite with their family during this occasion. For a week, nothing happens in China, except celebrations. Chinese New Year also marks the beginning of the spring season, thus it is also referred to as Spring Festival. This year is the year of the Ox, and the big day is January 31.
We, of course, never celebrated the CNY, but here is what I gathered about the celebrations. The following foods have very important symbolic meaning and must be shared at the New Year Eve meal: rice cakes, dumplings, eggs, meatball, fish, wine, tangerine, apple, peanut, watermelon seeds and candies. As the Chinese are really superstitious, they require that, at the New Year Eve dinner, each family member be represented, and in case of absence, a plate and seat must be reserve for them. Some other of their customs include cleaning the house (my ayi was really working hard this week), posting Chinese lucky numbers, igniting fireworks (to scare the demons that could harm this new year), giving money into a red envelope (hang bao) to kids, and visiting family and relatives. Temple visits and prayers are also very common during this time of the year. Red lanterns, paper cuts and lights are displayed all over town, and it is quite pretty.
We are escaping Beijing and the fireworks, the crowds in the public areas, the craziness of it all. At the same time, I will keep somewhere a little curiosity about the whole event. Maybe next year?
See you when we are back from Bali.
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