J+166 Chinese New Year 过年

Chinese follow the lunar calendar. The most important event in the year is the spring festival: celebration starts on the New Year's day. The day is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar, the day of the second new moon following the day of the winter solstice. The festivities end with the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of that month. ... I don't know how clear that is to you; I admit it took me a while to understand!

The festival's origin goes back thousands of years ago. There are many legends and traditions linked to it. The most famous legend is the "Nian monster" 年兽 legend. It is said, people used to believe the beast would devour people on New Year's Eve. To scare the monster away, people pasted red coloured couplets, on their front doors, and walls, lit red torches and burst loud firecrackers throughout the night.

 

 

New Year's Eve customary family reunion dinners are held where family members from near and far try to join in the dinner celebrations. Try and imagine the MESS in train stations, airports.... Picture the whole European Union population migrating at the same time..

On the New Year day gifts are exchanged among the family. The fifteenth day marks the Lantern Festival where people carry red lanterns and participate in the lantern parade. I am quite lucky to be in Nanjing, we have one of the most beautiful places for the lantern parade I was told: our Confucius temple (my favourite place in Nanjing)

I will take many photos and videos.

On the New Year's Day, I have offered my help at my fathers restaurant because they really really could use a hand. He happily accepted it! So I shall celebrate with my sister, parents, brother and the staff. (My aunt is going back to her countryside hometown in 2 days) .

We all have bought new clothes. It is a tradition here. My Chinese mother likes my dress and heels very much! I shall wear the new outfit on New Year's Day.

J+165 My (Chinese) mother's birthday

Today was my mother's 45th birthday.
I was told this at 9pm.. After having had breakfast with her this morning.
Yes I felt slightly uncomfortable ! My sister said birthdays don't mean a great deal in their family.
I ran out to buy a cake, we took it to the restaurant.
My mother said "who's birthday is it?"
She... She didn't know today was HER BIRTHDAY!
It was a wonderful surprise, and we spent a great family moment.
When it comes to the cake... It looks better than it tastes if you are wondering !!

J+163 Daily Morning jog

I take a 40min morning jog from now on. I usually go to a big park, far away from downtown. It's impressive how many people go and dance, walk around on week days at 7-8am, before going to work.
I met some very friendly old people, who were wondering what on earth India and myself were doing... Yes.. We eventually break a few dance moves, not totally conventional to the old Chinese view.
I am crazy about these trees on the picture. They are very old, I am looking for someone who knows the name because I am surrounded by pure pure "city people" ...

J+161 Winter holiday

I now officially have holiday, one month. Oh.. I am one of the lucky ones... My school mates only have 7 days! The rest are filled with extra lessons.

I am planning to visit many museums and places if interest in Nanjing, by myself or with India, since our families don't have any time to show them to us.

Yesterday we went to 中山陵, (Dr Sun Yat-sen's mausoleum )

As you can see, an amazing place.

I started counting the steps but rapidly lost count... I can assure you we felt proud once

we got at the top!!

 

J+158 Dinner with a Chinese family

One of my school mates parents (evan) were eager to meet me, and invited me for lunch today! I met the father, mother, grandmother and aunt.
The grandmother was 84.. And so energetic'
The father is a business man, and knows a lot of famous people.

They greeted me with my name pronounced the French way, and were so warm hearted!
We had long conversations about cultural differences, mostly about the "认识路" question... (To ask your way)
Let me explain.
In China, you can ask someone the way to a place, they will answer, even though they haven't a clue what you are talking about. They all smile and reply "all ways lead to Rome" ...
We laughed a lot today, with Evans family. And they will invite me out again.

J+157 Starbucks study sessions

I have a little study session from time to time with India, my American friend.
Since I have been in Nanjing, there are some moments, when I truly need to spend time with someone who can totally understand what I am saying, share the same humour... Even one hour makes me feel so good!
Like a breath of fresh air!
We went to Starbucks in the morning and both brought our homework there, sat, and helped each other out!

 

 

j+155 bis Little trip outside Nanjing

I went on a two-day trip with Lisa my teacher and her former classmates. People here stay close to their middle school classmates all their life it seams! Same for my Chinese parents, they shop in their classmates shop, meet them often.
The couple I met was really nice, warmhearted and welcoming, topically Chinese! They also had a 23 year old daughter, you can see her on photos.
We stayed in their new home, played cards, cooked Chinese food, and went for a beautiful walk outside.
They lived right next to the 万里长江 (Yangtze river), ~ longest river in Asia, third longest in the world. Very impressive even if there wasn't that much water...