floatingmoon Posted January 18, 2008 at 01:37 PM Report Posted January 18, 2008 at 01:37 PM What will you be doing this Chinese New Year? I like the food during Chinese New Year, so hehe, lots of eating. And I get to collect some red pocket money too. Quote
liuzhou Posted January 18, 2008 at 03:40 PM Report Posted January 18, 2008 at 03:40 PM I'll be hiding. 15 days of eating the same food in 15 diiferent houses with almost exactly the same people as last night. Different host, though! Wow! Supermarkets stop selling the stuff you actually want to buy so that they can stock up on 'gifts' - usually the same sausages they sell all year for ¥15 but now put in a fancy box and charge ¥165. Nearly as bad as Christmas! Bah! Humbug! Quote
muddy Posted January 18, 2008 at 03:41 PM Report Posted January 18, 2008 at 03:41 PM I think the whole big family can gather together is more important for me. Quote
Senzhi Posted January 18, 2008 at 06:31 PM Report Posted January 18, 2008 at 06:31 PM I'll do some shopping: shops empty, streets empty ... no queing ... and great reductions! But to be honest: I wish I was in Antwerp or Dublin where Chinese communities really seem to 'celebrate', unlike here. ... and before I get any complaints: here = 汕头 (sh) Quote
adrianlondon Posted January 18, 2008 at 10:49 PM Report Posted January 18, 2008 at 10:49 PM I'll be in Singapore for a week, eating non-stop. My best friend in London is Singaporean and he goes back to Sg every CNY to spend it with his family. I've been invited to the big family party and a "chuxi" hotel dinner. Lucky me! I'm then going to Chiangmai for a week, but they don't really celebrate CNY there and I'm arriving too late to see the flower festival, which is a pity, as it's stunningly beautiful. Quote
Madot Posted January 19, 2008 at 01:49 AM Report Posted January 19, 2008 at 01:49 AM I’ll be celebrating with the local Chinese community (mainly from Taiwan) here in Wollongong, Australia, together with my ex-language partner from Beijing who arrives tomorrow. (YAY!) Prayers, fireworks and food at the Nan Tian Temple (the largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere—or so they claim) until the early hours and yum cha the next day in Sydney’s Chinatown. Can’t wait! Mado Quote
skylee Posted January 19, 2008 at 02:05 AM Report Posted January 19, 2008 at 02:05 AM I will be travelling in africa. Quote
tuxoar Posted January 19, 2008 at 07:22 AM Report Posted January 19, 2008 at 07:22 AM I managed to escape the boringness that is Kunming and got back to Qingdao to see an old teacher and some other friends. Doing it family style here with everyone, should be cool. Quote
Lu Posted January 19, 2008 at 08:07 AM Report Posted January 19, 2008 at 08:07 AM Was planning to work, and save the days off and go back home for a week or so in April. But then it turned out I have to take those days now, so I changed my plans and am spending it back in Holland. Quote
Quest Posted January 19, 2008 at 08:31 AM Report Posted January 19, 2008 at 08:31 AM I wish to 行花街 again, it's been 10+ years... Quote
skylee Posted January 19, 2008 at 11:16 AM Report Posted January 19, 2008 at 11:16 AM Quest, did you really call it 花街 in Guangzhou? (For me 花街 is very different from 花市.) Or did you really 行花街 back then? Quote
Quest Posted January 19, 2008 at 06:46 PM Report Posted January 19, 2008 at 06:46 PM Yes we call it 行花街. 年廿七到年卅晚。花市 is the formal term. What's 花街 to you, brothels? We would go every day, but I remember going near the end of 年卅晚 to scavenge. While most 花农 would destroy their leftovers, some would leave them there. Nothing beats having all kinds of flowers in your rooms during new year and smelling firecrackers, and watching new year specials... those were the times, so distant... Quote
floatingmoon Posted January 20, 2008 at 11:28 AM Author Report Posted January 20, 2008 at 11:28 AM Senzhi:I'll do some shopping: shops empty, streets empty ... no queing ... and great reductions! But to be honest: I wish I was in Antwerp or Dublin where Chinese communities really seem to 'celebrate', unlike here. That's sound interesting, can you tell us more about how Chinese communities in Antwerp and Dublin celebrate CNY? (great if you have photos) adrianlondon: wow, hotel dinner, sounds yummy. I've rarely been to dinner in hotels, I remember several years ago, I went to the buffet in the Hilton hotel in ShenZhen. And there was a little girl who kept going back to the ice-cream area, haha. (that wasn't me) All: Sounds like lots of eating. I guess this is 民以食為天。 And regarding traditions, hum....I guess sometimes tradition and mood can be creative too. We can think of something creative (CNY related) to do, to enjoy it. Quote
Senzhi Posted January 20, 2008 at 12:11 PM Report Posted January 20, 2008 at 12:11 PM Floatingmoon, I'm afraid I don't have pictures, but I'm sure the local press in both cities will publish them on the net. So expect some links in the near future. In Antwerp, they organise events in one street. Very colourful, with the necessary dragons, traditional costumes, dance, firecrackers and food. In Dublin, they used to when I was living there (so not sure about now), use the army barracks and organise a week-long event, again with all the above. Although this tended to be a bit more commercial, I still did find it enjoyable and, yes, quite impressive. In Shantou, I only find WalMart to be decorated, and streets are deadly quiet. Except for the occasional unimpressive firework. It's just plain simple family celebration at home. Many young Chinese here find the New Year 'boring' and are spending their time wishing everybody Happy New Year on QQ. Foreigners here tend to go back to their home countries during this period or go travelling. But I do really like the fact that Chinese communities do an effort in cities outside China to show their culture to the local world. In fact, I was so impressed in Dublin and Antwerp, that I expected the same here (or even better), only to be a bit dissappointed. Quote
adrianlondon Posted January 20, 2008 at 12:22 PM Report Posted January 20, 2008 at 12:22 PM There are some photos here (not mine!) of CNY in London last year http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/features/events/chinese_new_year/ I think Chinatowns tend to make a big effort partly because it helps combat some home/culture sickness and partly because it boosts business. In London, I'd say it's 10% and 90% respectively ;) Singapore also celebrates it well, with a "River Hongbao" consisting of food stalls, chinese acrobats, lanterns, fireworks etc. - all good fun. I'd imagine one of the more boring places to spend it would be ... China. Odd? Well, it'd be like spending Christmas in the UK. It's dead. Everyone is at home with their families. Expat communities in Beijing probably celebrate it in public much more. Quote
liuzhou Posted January 20, 2008 at 12:46 PM Report Posted January 20, 2008 at 12:46 PM I'd imagine one of the more boring places to spend it would be ... China. Spot on. It is so dull, dull, dull. Quote
xiaocai Posted January 20, 2008 at 01:58 PM Report Posted January 20, 2008 at 01:58 PM Staying with my family. It's kind of become an obligation for me now, though... And last year I spent more than 20 rmb sending and replying sms (its a lot of sms if you know that it only costs 10 to 45 cents each here). I mean, I wasn't in it at all but just didn't want to be an outlier, and I'd assume it will be at least the same this year again... Quote
childbook88 Posted January 31, 2008 at 04:22 AM Report Posted January 31, 2008 at 04:22 AM US and Canada Centric I apologize for in advance... List of 100+ US and Canadian Chinese New Year Events I put together. From Parades to Festivals to Flower Markets and more. Please E-Mail me if you know of one in the US and Canada I missed. It's been challenging finding them. On Chinese New Year I will have a nice dinner with my extended family, on the Chinese side. Sincerely, Ray Quote
MartinF Posted January 31, 2008 at 06:47 AM Report Posted January 31, 2008 at 06:47 AM this is my first CNY living in China. It sounds boring for an ex-pat so I may fly to a hot spot. Thinking about the Phillipines or Thailand. I have about 2 weeks off. I could go back to England, my home country, but that sounds more boring than staying in China. So, it'll probably be something last minute and largely dependent on ticket availability. Quote
imron Posted January 31, 2008 at 07:06 AM Report Posted January 31, 2008 at 07:06 AM So, it'll probably be something last minute and largely dependent on ticket availability.Good thing you're not planning on taking trains then Quote
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