Fire + Water

Happy Chinese New Year!!! Yesterday we celebrated our first Chinese New Year (which happened to fall on the same day as Valentine's this year).

First, let's rewind.... A few days before New Years, we went to our friend Ricky's hometown. He lives in a city called Haining, which is about 2 hours away from Xiasha. We took a bus there, and were met at the bus station by Ricky, his Aunt, and his cousin (Ice Beauty....yes, that is her English name). We quickly learned that since many kids in China don't have siblings (due to the one child policy), that cousins are really close, basically like siblings. Ricky is about 4 years older than Ice Beauty, but they get along so great. Ricky has been helping her with English, so that she could communicate with us while we were there. We were the first foreigners she has ever talked to.

So, Ricky's aunt drives us around the town. Haining is pretty small and quite. They are 'famerous' (that's how our students say famous) for leather. We've realized that EVERY town or province in China is famous for something. All of our students will say, "I am from ____, it is very famerous for ____. Do you know it?" :) So....since Haining is famous for leather, Ricky took us to a huge, 4 story mall that sold only leather products. It was pretty cool.

Then they took us to Ricky's aunt's house. There we met Ricky's grandmother, who had never seen an American. She was the cutest little woman. She just sat there and smiled all evening, and kept filling our tea glasses, and giving us food. While we were there, they wanted us to stay to see their "Honoring of the Ancestors Celebration". Every year before New Years, all/most families in China will take time to honor their relatives who have passed away. On their kitchen table was a a picture of Buddha; a whole chicken, whole fish, and a pig leg; about 12 small glasses of green tea, some candles and burning innsense; and some fake money. Each family member went to the table, held the innsense, and bowed to the table. But Ricky chose not to partake in it. After they bowed, Grandma took the fake money outside and burned it. (This represents money, and wealth going to their ancestors in the 'after life') Then, they shot off fireworks. (Which represents their good wishes going to their ancestors) It was very strange, but glad we were able to see it and learn a little more about their culture and traditions. It was also encouraging to see that Ricky chose not to do it. Since lately he has been interested in what we believe and has said that he wants to 'study' when he gets back to school.

Anyways....we stayed the night, and the next day we went to a couple of museums, and toured the city a little more. We had lunch that afternoon with Ricky and his aunt, uncle, and cousin. They asked us if we had ever tasted Chow Dofu (which translates to 'Stinky Tofu'). If you ever come to China, there is this one smell that you notice when you're around some food markets, and it's the WORST smell in China. That smell is Stinky Tofu! All the Chinese say that it's 'deliciours' and that it tastes better than it smells. So, since the family ordered it, we thought we'd taste it. So, it comes around the table to me (Callie) first. So EVERYone is watching me, waiting for my reaction. I decided to take a small bite...surely it wouldn't be that bad. Well.......it was BAD!!! The WORST thing I've ever put in my mouth! The only thing to compare it to is a dirty diaper. Then, Thomas' turn.....he took a bite and made the worst face! He told me later that he almost threw up twice and that he couldn't even stand to chew the rest of it, and swallowed it whole. :) Other than the Stinky Tofu, we had a good lunch with the family. We headed back to Xiasha that afternoon.

Ok, back to present. Like I said, yesterday was New Years. All week fireworks have been going off like crazy. Fireworks are a normal thing in China. They shoot them off when a new store opens, someone dies, someone is born, any good/bad occassion; all hours of the day or night. But during New Years week, they've been more prevalent. On New Years Eve we were walking the streets and people were shooting them off in the middle of the road, on apartment balconies, sidewalks, through their windows. Definitely against the law at home.

So, we were in our apartment watching fireworks out our window. At about 9:30 or so, we decided to watch TV. About 30-45 minutes later, Thomas yells, "Come look outside, you'll never believe it!" There was about 3 inches of snow on the ground and more coming down! We didn't even know it was supposed to snow. So we go outside to play in it. We ran into our Chinese neighbor, who owns a little 'Dollar' Store next to us. Him and his family were there, with a box full of fireworks. So, we shoot fireworks with them in a snow storm!! It was a very weird combo of snow and fireworks....a first for us, since we only shoot fireworks in July. Then they invite is in for tea and snacks. They are the sweetest little family. The kids, who are in highschool, were our translators. So, we drank tea, had broken English/charades conversations, and watched the Chinese New Year count down show until about 2:30 in the morning! It was a blast.

We plan to go to another student's home this week. And on the 26th, our moms and Callie's sister will be here to visit!! We can't wait!
Thanks for the continued thoughts and support!