Just A Little Detour: And so it begins . . .

Year of the Tiger

Last Wednesday Joe and I attended a Chinese New Year celebration hosted by the staff and employees of the office building where he has his office. It was the first of many new year celebrations we will have over the next week or so. I wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. It started off with a cocktail party with wine and food provided by a restaurant in the building. Next was a show put on by the staff and employees of the building. There was dancing, singing, skits, door prizes. The door men, cleaning crews and office staff for the building put on a wonderfully entertaining evening. There was even a performance by some girls from the Hooters that's on the first floor of the building! It was obvious that a lot of time and preparation had gone into this evening. Of course, it was all in Chinese! Joe even won a door prize. As the only foreigners present we were asked to present certificates for some of the door prizes. We were even given VIP seating on the front row for the show.

As I sit here writing tonight, outside the sound of fireworks cracks in the neighborhood. This is a sound we will hear for next couple of weeks on a nightly basis. It's one of the things I love about China. The Chinese really know how to ring in the new year.

On Friday night we had a celebration dinner at the Shangri La Hotel with the company staff and their spouses living and working here in Chengdu.

Jay and Ashley will be here this coming Friday and on Saturday we plan to be out in the middle of things in Chengdu city, even setting off our own stash of fireworks. There are fireworks stands at every major intersection and more throughout the neighborhoods. In the land where fireworks were invented, there certainly won't be a shortage over the next couple of weeks for sure.

Love to all!
The MC's