Qingdao is a coastal city 550km (340 mi) southeast of Beijing. I wasn’t there as a tourist but enjoyed looking at the ocean, especially the seaside boardwalk. Though it was strange to watch an entire ocean disappear into a greyish smog haze.
I was surprised by how many people were intently staring at hand held touch screens of personal electronics. 75% of the people in our full subway car were looking at a screen – most playing games or watching TV dramas.
More than 40 people came to a favourite Chinese restaurant to celebrate my 10 year Chinaversary. I was busy chatting and enjoying myself and my friends for hours. I also prepared my Top 10 Top 10 Lists from 10 years in China!
Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the lunar new year, ending two weeks of New Year celebrations. While lanterns were traditionally part of the festival, for me it has always been about fireworks and tang yuan dumplings.
Ten years ago today I arrived in Beijing. I was 21 and it was my first time living alone so it was a BIG move. I didn’t realise how big until after I’d done it and had no idea how to do anything. I had no idea what would happen next.
Decorations are one of my favourite “Spring Festival” customs. You can’t walk around China at this time of year without seeing them everywhere – at homes and shops, in the subway, even on cars or trucks. It’s very fun and festive!
In China, everyone adds a year to their age on Ren Ri (“Human Day” or “Everyman’s Birthday” in English). At birth a child is considered to be 1 year old, and then every Ren Ri one year is added. So Ren Ri is like a communal birthday.
It can be a little hard to get things done during the Chinese new year holiday week. Many people leave town, and many businesses close. A normally full bike lane had a grand total of three bikes. It looked strange, almost eerie.
Think about it this way. The government bans your favourite holiday tradition. 13 years later you have children who have never experienced it, so you pour a lot of cash into preparing. Now, mutliply that scenario by about 5 million.
China welcomed me back with the smell of pollution, as always, and just one day in I could feel the changes in my sinuses and my breathing. Also, I kept wanting to say the Khmer word for thank you. I have never defaulted to Khmer before!
There’s nothing like the first night back in one’s own bed after 4 weeks away! I filed away familiar sounds – dropped and moved items above, fireworks, of trucks on late night runs – and the lovely scent of eucalyptus from my dried arrangement.
Writing has been my creative outlet this year. On the blog I’m writing about things that interest me, like Chinese language and culture, and am delighted to discover other people find them interesting as well! I’m also writing a book about TCKs.
Stories From Tanya 