Which is...
Chun Jie Kuai Le!
or
Happy Spring Festival!
This is what we have been hearing for the past several days as those we meet are wishing us a Happy Chinese New Year. Let me first say that this is a holiday unlike any other. It is definitely not something I find hugely enjoyable. It's really difficult to explain. For my MC girls it's kinda like Cornhuskin' (for the non-MC girls, sorry can't explain that either) you just have to experience it. Usually we are in Thailand having meetings during Chinese New Year. However, this year our meetings got cancelled due to budget stuff. So those of us that opted out of taking an out of country vacation got to experience our first Chun Jie.
It started off on Saturday which was New Year's Eve. My tutor invited us over to her families' home to enjoy the traditional meal. This meal consists of at least one dish each of fish, beef, pork and chicken in addition to loads of vegetables. This family also served a type of lamb jerky (which was really good). All of this is for good luck, I guess to show the past year was prosperous and that with luck the next will be as well. I don't really know. But the whole afternoon and evening we began to hear almost a constant crack and pop of fireworks starting. When the meal was ready my tutor's brother took out their 10 foot long strand of firecrackers to set off. When the evening meal is ready each family will announce they are about to feast by setting off firecrackers. The meal was wonderful, filled with delicious traditional dishes. Let me tell you, your local Red Dragon/Jade Garden/Fortune Palace doesn't do justice to real chinese food.
After dinner it was time to 'play'. Play=go outside and shoot off fireworks. Our friends did really well and bought a lot of sparklers and the little fire free things you throw down that spark so the boys would be able to play. They bought a few roman candle type things and some huge things that can only be described as mini bombs. So take into account that we were not the only people out there setting off fireworks in this apartment complex courtyard. So there are things flying all around (and shooting under cars and seemingly into apartment windows) like crazy. The boys loved it at first but I was so thankful after a while they got scared and had ringing ears and wanted to go inside. Not to mention it was bedtime. Usually the party is just beginning but they were kind enough to cut it short cause the boys were getting really tired. The tradition is at midnight they shoot off the big dog fireworks (think professional grade--sold on the street, no joke) and eat dumplings. They cooked a few dumplings early so we could eat a few before going home. They were again delicious but I was so full I could only eat a couple and they are one of my fav things so it's probably a good thing they were brought out last. We were sent home with the warning that even if we went to bed we wouldn't sleep through midnight.
We got home about 9:30 and got the boys down, they are usually in bed between 7:30 and 8:00. There was no fighting, playing in bed until drifting to sleep or begging for one million stories. Three very sleepy little boys crashed instantly. Stan and I were pretty tired too so we weren't far behind them. I'm sure I was sound asleep by 10:30, until about 10 minutes till midnight when the heavy artillery began. It was so loud I had to get up and make sure someone wasn't in our little yard or even in our downstairs. Only a video could do it justice but we just didn't know to be prepared to video. We are on a corner and can see a small parking lot from our little balcony. Beside the parking lot someone set off a strand of firecrackers that was at least 25 feet long, which takes no less than 5 minutes to finish exploding in case you are wondering. Almost as soon as that was finished a house down the other side starting setting some off. All the while huge fireworks or going off in the sky in at least 5 different directions--well that I could see at least. Other families are setting off firecrackers around us too. All of this happening in a span of about 15 minutes. It was flashing so bright and constant outside that it was lit up like daytime. We finally gave up watching and got back in bed and just laughed as our windows blinked bright lights and it sounded like a war zone outside. It lasted off and on through the night. I remember waking up once and hearing silence and wondering if all of China had used up every last firework and firecracker already. One huge blessing for us was that the boys were so exhausted and their rooms are at the back of the house, which faces a small alley and another building, so we didn't even hear a peep out of them till the morning.
We were awakened by yet more firecrackers early the next morning cause, you guessed it, they start out the morning of New Years Day with breakfast time firecrackers. Kirby came into my room and asked, 'What is that noise?' When I told him it was firecrackers he said 'Again?' and Bennett said 'But it's not dark outside.' Even they didn't get it. When we got to Sunday morning group later on we all looked like a bunch of zombies. Our friends were not so lucky in the fact that their 9 month old did not make it through the midnight celebration and really freaked out. I really think if we had older children it would be different but it was a consensus that we will all be on vacation during New Years next year if we are once again without meetings. We continued to hear cracks and pops from near and far throughout the day. Most stores and food markets have shut down, some still today. Luckily Walmart has stayed open, but since that is one of the only places to buy stuff and everyone is still off work it is packed out. Poor Stan is there now picking up a few things. He just text me to say it was quite busy.
We have decided that the reason they are still setting off fireworks is because they are bored. This is the only time most people get off from work all year and I really think they just don't know what to do with themselves. It has been a experience, for sure. I truly think it has helped us understand a little bit more about this culture, and compared to the torch festival (the one where they all walk around holding giant flaming torches) it didn't seem as dangerous but definitely not family fun for the family with small children. I look forward to firework/firecracker free nights coming soon!
It started off on Saturday which was New Year's Eve. My tutor invited us over to her families' home to enjoy the traditional meal. This meal consists of at least one dish each of fish, beef, pork and chicken in addition to loads of vegetables. This family also served a type of lamb jerky (which was really good). All of this is for good luck, I guess to show the past year was prosperous and that with luck the next will be as well. I don't really know. But the whole afternoon and evening we began to hear almost a constant crack and pop of fireworks starting. When the meal was ready my tutor's brother took out their 10 foot long strand of firecrackers to set off. When the evening meal is ready each family will announce they are about to feast by setting off firecrackers. The meal was wonderful, filled with delicious traditional dishes. Let me tell you, your local Red Dragon/Jade Garden/Fortune Palace doesn't do justice to real chinese food.
After dinner it was time to 'play'. Play=go outside and shoot off fireworks. Our friends did really well and bought a lot of sparklers and the little fire free things you throw down that spark so the boys would be able to play. They bought a few roman candle type things and some huge things that can only be described as mini bombs. So take into account that we were not the only people out there setting off fireworks in this apartment complex courtyard. So there are things flying all around (and shooting under cars and seemingly into apartment windows) like crazy. The boys loved it at first but I was so thankful after a while they got scared and had ringing ears and wanted to go inside. Not to mention it was bedtime. Usually the party is just beginning but they were kind enough to cut it short cause the boys were getting really tired. The tradition is at midnight they shoot off the big dog fireworks (think professional grade--sold on the street, no joke) and eat dumplings. They cooked a few dumplings early so we could eat a few before going home. They were again delicious but I was so full I could only eat a couple and they are one of my fav things so it's probably a good thing they were brought out last. We were sent home with the warning that even if we went to bed we wouldn't sleep through midnight.
We got home about 9:30 and got the boys down, they are usually in bed between 7:30 and 8:00. There was no fighting, playing in bed until drifting to sleep or begging for one million stories. Three very sleepy little boys crashed instantly. Stan and I were pretty tired too so we weren't far behind them. I'm sure I was sound asleep by 10:30, until about 10 minutes till midnight when the heavy artillery began. It was so loud I had to get up and make sure someone wasn't in our little yard or even in our downstairs. Only a video could do it justice but we just didn't know to be prepared to video. We are on a corner and can see a small parking lot from our little balcony. Beside the parking lot someone set off a strand of firecrackers that was at least 25 feet long, which takes no less than 5 minutes to finish exploding in case you are wondering. Almost as soon as that was finished a house down the other side starting setting some off. All the while huge fireworks or going off in the sky in at least 5 different directions--well that I could see at least. Other families are setting off firecrackers around us too. All of this happening in a span of about 15 minutes. It was flashing so bright and constant outside that it was lit up like daytime. We finally gave up watching and got back in bed and just laughed as our windows blinked bright lights and it sounded like a war zone outside. It lasted off and on through the night. I remember waking up once and hearing silence and wondering if all of China had used up every last firework and firecracker already. One huge blessing for us was that the boys were so exhausted and their rooms are at the back of the house, which faces a small alley and another building, so we didn't even hear a peep out of them till the morning.
We were awakened by yet more firecrackers early the next morning cause, you guessed it, they start out the morning of New Years Day with breakfast time firecrackers. Kirby came into my room and asked, 'What is that noise?' When I told him it was firecrackers he said 'Again?' and Bennett said 'But it's not dark outside.' Even they didn't get it. When we got to Sunday morning group later on we all looked like a bunch of zombies. Our friends were not so lucky in the fact that their 9 month old did not make it through the midnight celebration and really freaked out. I really think if we had older children it would be different but it was a consensus that we will all be on vacation during New Years next year if we are once again without meetings. We continued to hear cracks and pops from near and far throughout the day. Most stores and food markets have shut down, some still today. Luckily Walmart has stayed open, but since that is one of the only places to buy stuff and everyone is still off work it is packed out. Poor Stan is there now picking up a few things. He just text me to say it was quite busy.
We have decided that the reason they are still setting off fireworks is because they are bored. This is the only time most people get off from work all year and I really think they just don't know what to do with themselves. It has been a experience, for sure. I truly think it has helped us understand a little bit more about this culture, and compared to the torch festival (the one where they all walk around holding giant flaming torches) it didn't seem as dangerous but definitely not family fun for the family with small children. I look forward to firework/firecracker free nights coming soon!
2 comments:
hmmm...how many casualties happen each year due to these crazy fireworks. listen to me...you know i am afraid of fire. you asked for it rachel. you wanted fireworks at your wedding. now you got them in bed with your man! ha.
Miss Scarlett, the Yankees are coming! I hear the guns, Miss Scarlett! Lordy!
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