Happy New Year

Every one in Nanjing is setting off fireworks tonight! This is simply amazing, like nothing I have ever experienced before. Beginning around 7 pm when the sun went down, the fireworks started and they haven't stopped. Of course, this is all in celebration of the lunar new year which starts tomorrow. We decided to get a hotel room in town because we wanted to be in the middle of the action. We also specifically requested a room on the highest floor possible and one facing the city so we could see the fire work display. We've not been disappointed! We've seen people leaning from their apartment windows to shoot off roman candles. I saw one person who tied a firework to their clothes line and set it off. It was the type of fire work that usually sets on the ground and throws out sparks. I suppose since they lived so high up they decided the clothes line was easier?

Of course, with fireworks comes lots of banging and popping. So, with nonstop fireworks comes nonstop noise. Somehow, the kids still managaed to fall asleep but I don't know if I will be able to or not. I wonder if it will stop at midnight, or continue on past? I wish I could film this or capture it somehow to share with you. It's simply amazing. We're on the 17th floor. A couple of times we've had fireworks set off right outside the window and they explode practically right in front of us. It's so cool.

We are also loving this hotel room. It has a tub! Petey and Connor have both already taken two baths a peice. I spent quite a while soaking as well. Not only does it have a tub, but it's a luxury tub that is contoured with places for your arms and head to rest. There is also a tv in the bathroom, but I'd much rather read in the tub. We are giving ourselves a treat with this hotel (it's a 5 star). We'd never be able to afford such a place in the States, but here we can so we do. We also quite enjoyed swimming at the indoor pool earlier today. For dinner we met up with Mariannette's family and Andy at an Italian place. We don't eat at that place often because it's quite expensive (compared to Chinese restuarants) but tonight is special. The streets were deserted around dinner time except for foreigners and beggers. The beggers were particularly aggressive, too. Perhaps it was because the streets were so empty or because it's a holiday, I'm not sure.

Chris is outside right now, roaming around amongst the celebrations. I wonder if he'll buy some fireworks himself and set them off? It still seems so odd that whoever wants to can buy huge fireworks and set them off wherever. No laws, no regulations, just a free-for-all. I wonder how many people will get injured tonight from all this celebrating?

One last new years thought: Chris did some research and discovered that I am NOT year of the rabbit like I have thought I was my whole life. It turns out I'm year of the tiger! This is because I was born before the lunar new year in 1975. risingpheenix, I bet you were too! I'll check it out and let you know :)