Snap Crackle Pop

Even though I already celebrated Chinese New Year last year in Xizhou, I was still delighted to hear the fire crackers snap, crackle, and pop along the streets and enjoyed the colorful sights of the dragon dances sweeping through the alleyways. We said goodbye to the Year of the Tiger and hello to the Year of the Rabbit by taking off a couple days to be with friends and family. Not only were we taking time to be with friends and relatives, but the entire country was traveling on trains, planes, and buses to reach their home village. Urban dwellings turn into ghost towns as people head back home for the month long break that is filled with sightings of red, fireworks, and traditional dances.

While waiting for Dali TV to show up at the Linden Centre on the second day of Chinese New Year, two dancing dragons were stretching their legs outside with the help of 14 people who were bringing them to life. Men in traditional Bai outfits and sporty sunglasses sent the dragons soaring with their drum and flute music. I learned from a first-hand experience to never get in the way of a moving dragon. Last year I almost turned into Chinese New Year road kill! Both dragons were twisting and turning spectacles of contrasting colors of blue and orange. The drumming and symbols crashing made some hold their ears because of its intensity, but whether or not their ears were open to the noise or not, the energy was simply contagious.

The first dragon swept into the Linden Centre following the crackling of firecrackers and clouds of heather gray smoke. The crowd chased after the tail of the dragon to watch it come to life in the first courtyard. Electrifying and mystical are the best ways to describe the two dragons that graced all of the spectators with their presence. At the time, there were tons of children staying at the Linden Centre. How magical it must have been for them to see the Chinese mythical creatures spin and fill their imaginations! Not only was I entertained by the dances that surrounded me, I was also able to have a video chat with some great ladies in Door County who were celebrating the day with us, despite the distance and 14 hour difference. I was able to say hello and wish them a happy Spring Festival! Their smiling faces made me feel like I wasn’t too far away from home, which is always a comforting thought.

The blasting of fire works is not a comforting sound like video chats from back home, but they are definitely a crowd-pleaser late at night. Since the Linden Centre is situated a little bit away from the center of town, only bean fields surround the building. When sitting up on the rooftop terrace, we have the best views of the village celebrations bursting out in the sky. The ones we were lighting off in the road were only miniature compared to our neighbors, but they were definitely entertaining. Don’t worry, we made sure that cars weren’t driving by! The only injury I received was a smack in between my eyes from the remains of firecrackers flying through the air. No worries. There are no marks left behind from the accident, even though that would have been a funny scar to explain to my grandchildren later in life!

For all of those Rabbits out there (anyone born in the years of 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011), this is your year. Decorations all over Xizhou and Dali are splashed in red and rabbit posters that are verging on the sickening cute look. If you are a Rabbit, you are known to be articulate, talented, and ambitious. Since this is your year, wear red! Supposedly, it protects you throughout the entire year. There are even stores that devote all of their sales to mass quantities of red underwear. Yes, China is full of underwear surprises and traditions. Even though my year of the tiger is over, I am welcoming a new year that is full of possibilities and of course, more traveling.

Til next time.

Peace, Love and Happiness.