More on Chinese New Year's

So I've found that I actually really enjoy writing, as nerdy as that sounds. It's nice to get some of these thoughts off my chest. Though it makes me more pensive, and perhaps even more introverted, somehow I think it gives me a greater insight into things when I analyze it, or even get things off my chest. I feel somewhat more positive. This was indeed a "good" move, even if no one reads it.

Anyhow, more about the New Year's. Today, Kamla and I lit up a few fireworks ourselves and finally joined in on the festivity of the "war zone-like" firecrackers. I must admit, for the price of fireworks, and the beauty that the pyro in me appreciates, it is rather addictive. I can see why the Chinese enjoy it so much.

On another note, I truly miss having rice with my meal, as opposed to afterwards. It made such an enormous difference today when I had lunch with rice at the table. It made the food so warm, and easy to swallow. I have to say rice is a necessary part of my palette, and it must go with my side dishes, not after the fact. I am truly Cantonese indeed.

I am growing truly obese from all this food I'm eating. I honestly can't eat anymore and constantly feel bloated. I must learn the art of saying "no" gracefully and respectfully so that my bowl doesn't constantly end up full to the brim.

I think I understand why I don't find China's New Year's nearly as festive as the US: it's because there aren't any people on the streets. The streets are eerily empty, and while reminiscent of the U.S., I think I have grown used to the boisterous business of the streets that is Nanjing. Since everyone has "gone home" to their families, all that should remain in the city are the locals. Everywhere I go, especially in the taxi cabs, I hear 南京話, which is definitely something that remains a challenge to me in spite of 5 months of being here. I think they find it odd that I do not converse with them in the local language. Little do they know, I'm not from around here. But, as we go on the streets and travel on the bus, the most busy locations are honestly points of transportation. Where you can catch a taxi, there are people waiting. If there is a bus stop, there are people waiting. Since cars are not the most expendable and easily accessible form of transportation, taxiing and buses still remain the only means of getting from point A to point B. I recall seeing an old lady, probably 80 get off the bus. She was being supported on one side by her daughter, but a part of me pitied the sight of an old woman having to hobble around on public transportation in the cold. This must be the filial piety in me screaming that she needed to be chauffeured to her desired destination, but thus is the "economic/financial" situation of the average family in China. Their standard of living simply hasn't reached the same state as ours in the states, though I think with the convenience of their public transportation system, cars for every family would simply be too excessive.

(Random: But I just recalled what Kamla's 50 公 said. He was thinking that he finally wanted to test for a driver's license, even though he used to be a truck driver, my guess was an unlicensed one. There is no "mandate" per se that you have to have a license to drive. It's just if you happen to feel like it, and feel compelled enough to do so, you go through the hassle of doing things properly and by the law. Somehow this seemed amusing and altogether hilarious to me, but perhaps I have just grown accustomed to China and have found my own sense of humor in its backwards ways.)