| Subject: Chinese new year |
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You are right, Covadonga - the first day of the Lunar New Year is the
12th and festivities (all family-oriented) take place over the next few
days. Public holidays are actually 12-14th but many companies close down
for the entire week (since this is the most important holiday of the
year).
Carollyn - the Chinese restaurant is probably celebrating the night before New Year's Day - so that they can be with their families on New Year's Day. The only big thing that is visible to those of us in HK who do not celebrate CNY is a big parade on the first day of the New Year, fireworks in the villages of the New Territories (illegal but still prevalent) and very quiet streets during the 3 days of family celebrations and rituals of renewal (cleaning out the house, etc. to welcome the new year). Those who are from mainland China or Taiwan usually go home ot visit their relatives and those of us from other parts of the world often take our holidays around this time to take advantage of the extra days off. Kung Hei Fat Choi! Judy in Hong Kong |