Day two of Chinese New Year. 開年.
Today’s the day families are supposed to visit. So we started the day with some family visits and family portraits.
That got old quick, so in the afternoon we went to see the Monkey King. In 3D. With subtitles.
It is your numeration, not your responsibility.
Through transmigration, you can live after die.
With dialogue like this, you bet I thought it was the most awesomest movie I’d see so far this Chinese New Year.
Pokin’s dad lives across a reservoir from the tallest mountain in Shenzhen - 梧桐山, or Wutong Mountain.
And the family thought it fitting to do a family hike for Chinese New Year before visiting the Hongfa temple in celebration.
So we set out at 8am in the morning to get to the entrance.
It was a little early for my tastes but if my best bear bud can get up so can I.
And off we went down cement paths and up concrete steps.
Across bridges,
Past ridiculous signs,
And vendors selling all sorts of crazy looking trail snacks.
Eventually we made it to the top, where we could see most of Shenzhen,
And a TV tower.
After that, it was back down the mountain to the Hungfa Temple to give and receive blessings.
Which would have been a fine idea if about a million other Chinese people didn’t have the same thought.
We spent almost as much time waiting to get into the temple as we did doing the 12 mile hike.
My Best Bear Bud wasn’t feeling great about it all.
As for me, I just took a nap in his backpack while we were waiting in line.
Eventually we got into the temple, got some incense, lit some incense, waved them in front of various buddhas, fought the crowds out of the temple, took the bus home, and made dinner.
And that was our 過年 Chinese New Year - a full day and 29,000 steps later.
Word in the house was that lai see packages were being prepared. These are auspicious red packets containing money that are given to kids, colleagues and baby bears like me.
Naturally I came out to supervise.
Nicholas received a bunch from various cousins, aunts, uncles and family members.
I made sure to take them all for myself.
I had a good haul. This is a good start to Chinese New Year.
Today we made jiaozi, or dumplings. I don’t care much for them, but they are a New Year tradition so I thought I’d do my part by watching the work get done.
Chinese New Year is the biggest Chinese holiday of the year. Most offices are closed for at least a week, many for a full two weeks. So before the shutdown, I thought it to be a fine idea to visit Pokin’s dad’s office. First of all I heard it was a food business. Second I liked the notion of a boss-to-bear-boss chat.
But a quick look around proved that there was little in the way of chocolate or hot cocoa. On that point alone, I have decided I like my office better.
Plus I can play games in my office.
Well at least I can entertain myself watching Eric make crepes for the employees.
So I went to China.
So far it’s not too bad as festivities go.
I had a good haul. Time to see how Quatchi did.
We caught up over Skype video chat.
He might have had gotten a santa hat that fit but I got more presents. So there.
He got me a flying quadricopter for christmas. It came with lasers. It was awesome. We flew it inside the house. Over people’s heads. I thought that was even more awesome.
Then we flew it outdoors.
I liked flying it indoors better.
In turn I got him a super-video card so that we can crank up all the settings on our video games. It was so super it came with 3 fans. I’m so thoughtful.
All we’re missing now is my uber gaming bear cave.
Each even came with a note!
So many presents, and I hadn’t even gotten to the present my best bear bud got me yet.
I like Christmas.
This oso is oso ready.
Location scouted and secured.
Bring on the presents!
