{Yu Yuan Gardens Bazaar}

Today Jeff and I wandered ( the best you can in a massive crowd) around the Yu Yuan Gardens Bazaar. It's a huge tourist spot for both foreigners and Chinese nationals during the spring festival, so the crowds were dense and pushy.
Jeff and I ran into an old gentleman that "showed us around" the area, as well as some lesser known shops of the area. While we weren't oblivious to his ulterior motives, we did enjoy his impromptu tour, explanations of traditions, history, and company while we sat through a tea ceremony ( a tea testing). We got a good look at an old tradtional teahouse/ opera house, and got a little bit of insight on the ancient ceremonies and tradition behind tea in china. All in all, a pleasant and very touristy day.

-Ashley

{Fireworks}

{Xīn Nián Kuài Lè!}

Because of the timing of our move out here, I don't feel like we really got to celebrate the holidays like we normally do, and I didn't think much of it. Last night, however, was a definite celebration with build up over the past month that lead to one exciting beginning to a new and unpredictable new year.
Jeff and I spent the evening with friends and experienced one heck of a firework show. I simply don't have words to explain what it was like... sufficient to say that 4th of July fireworks with your buddies is NOTHING compared to how the Chinese do CNY. We took pictures, but I still don't think they do the even justice, we took videos, I'll work on figuring out how to upload to the blog.
It's the year of the dragon, which seems to be a big deal around here. Symbolically dragons are auspicious and revered, and plastered all over the place. The new year is followed by the spring festival, which is a sequence of different events, time off for Chinese nationals to spend with their families and travelling.

My training group is an awesome bunch. We spent the evening catching up after being separated for a couple of weeks. We went to take a group picture, and all of a sudden cameras appeared from nowhere. I'll post the actual group photo when I get it, apparently our camera was the only one who DIDN'T get a group picture....

Happy New Year!
-Ashley

{Dragons}

{For Your Enjoyment}

Hello!
Things have gone quietly as of late, so we haven't had too much to blog about. We've been spending the last few days relaxing, hanging out and venturing out together when we feel like it. I've half way figured out the postal system, which I count as a personal victory, and those who handed me addresses before I left can expect a postcard soon.... ish.... depending on the reliability of the postal service, which is yet to be determined.

We had a friend from home visit us this past week, which was a welcome sight. Unfortunately I've had a wicked cold and have been pretty low energy as I try to recooperate.

Our visa woes are almost resolved, and we can pretty much travel anywhere now mainland, though we've decided to stay based in Shanghai until the end of the break. This will give us more time to look for a good apartment, enjoy the company of people we've befriended here, and will make things over all easier.
Because it's a slow news week, I thought I'd share a couple pictures over a few posts as I finish them for you to enjoy. Jeff snaps pictures here and there, but I haven't really had enough to string together a narrative.

Happy Year of the Dragon!
-Ashley