My Real Chinese New Year

During my one month spring vacation I had a great opportunity to visit some beautiful cities in Jiangsu Province. It was the most difficult time to travel since almost all Chinese people are moving around China. Spring Festival seems to be the most important holiday for Chinese. It is the time when they go back to their home towns and spend time with families. I appreciate the Chinese culture when it comes to family relationship. In every places I've been I was always invited to big family meals and I could see that they are very close. They are also very hospitable people that they would always make sure that I had something in my plate and everything that I needed was well taken care of. I was asked to try every dish that was on the table. Saying, "Thank You" would not be enough for all these kind people who let me stayed in their homes and experienced the spirit of Chinese New Year. China literally turned red during this special season. I could always see something red in every home, business establishment, transportation and in the street. I just wish that I could speak Chinese so I could really say I grateful I am for having the opportunity to experience Chinese culture. I would like to say, "Xie Xie Ni and Gong Xi Fa Cai to Bianca's Family, to my 2 students; Ms. Chen and Mr. Gou, and to Ms. Pan's family.

These are some of the places that I have visited during the Chinese Spring festival and the people whom I spent the season with.

Chinese New Year's decorations, displayed on the street.














Half frozen pond in Xuzhou, Jiangsu where we spent an hour on a small boat.
















We tried to break the ice to go to the other side but we were scared since the boat was too small.














The road from Suzhou to Xuzhou.















Just trying to be an archer. It's hard to hit the bull's eye!














Having a "barbecue", a dog meat, mushroom, pepper, cucumber. It's cute, we were given a small grill were we could cook them.














New Year's eve dinner in Xuzhou's 4-star hotel.














Go nuts! yes nuts were their favorite snacks for the season. These two nuts made me nuts they would always follow wherever I go.















Yancheng city at night!















Dafeng City. Trying to throw a hoop to catch a rabbit or a bird. I never got one!














Gao You City amusement park.