Click Here to Subsribe to the 'The Vance Report' Feed 1. You periodically hear large explosions in front of your house and see people shooting fireworks out of their windows.
2. On your way home, your taxi driver seems to have a bad habit of stopping to pick people up, charging them the full amount for their segment, and then charging you the full amount when you finally get to your destination…two hours later.
3. You book a train ticket well in advance and all you can come up with is a standing room only ticket in an already very crowded train car.
4. You look around and realize that there are actually children in China! They are just usually locked up in school (or some sort of training center) all day.
5. You turn on your TV and see Hu JinTao and his other Communist buddies actually cracking a smile as they celebrate the new year festivities…
All kidding aside, Spring Festival is a special time in China. For a few days at least, the Chinese people are able to cast aside the struggles and heartaches in their daily lives and find warmth and comfort in a tradition that has been in existence for more than 4,000 years.
While many ex-pats migrate to the warm beaches of Thailand or return for a visit to their homelands during this time, I think that if you do not have at least one chance to experience Spring Festival here, you are missing out. From the New Year’s Dinner to the Dragon dancing and exchanging of red envelopes, this holiday is both colorful and fascinating.
If you happen to find yourself in China during these festive days, why not ask a friend if you can tag along and experience the Chinese New Year celebration? It will be an experience that you will always remember.
Do not forget to taste some famous Chinese dumplings and if you are up for it, you can even celebrate with a glass of Chinese Baijiu (Chinese white wine). Happy Spring festival from all us here at TeachAbroadChina.com.
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