Chinese New Year and Brotherly Love

[David S]

I have business in King of Prussia, PA on Monday, Feb. 15, 2010.  I've read that there are some New Year Celebrations in Philadelphia's Chinatown.  My plan is to get to Philly late Sunday morning, ride the train into the city.  This will avoid the parking challenge in the city which I am sure will be great because of the recent snow storms.  I'm sure street parking will be non-existent and that parking garages will be packed in the area.  I then plan to spend the afternoon and evening in Chinatown before making the trip back to my parked car.

If any brothers want to meet me there to join in on the excursion let me know either by response or through direct contact.  I'm going, if any care to join me all the better.

David

[Willy The Londoner]

Anyone going to Chinatown in Central London next weekend that should be great - but pickpockets abound there. Understand that the Eastern Europeans and South American gangs have been gearing up for it since the Christmas shopping rush!

So keep your wallets in an inside closed pocket.   It is far better for you to spend your money rather than them.

Willy

[ttwjr32]

it a big problem here in China also during the new year along with
ride and snatch. they come from the countryside to the city to do
this at these times of the year.

[David S]

...but pickpockets abound there.

Willy

I was once in a pool hall that had a sign above the bar; "Beware of Pickpockets and loose women"

I asked the bartender; "I've seen the pickpockets, but when do the loose women get here?!"

[ttwjr32]

the weather here has made a turn for the new year, in guangzhou they are
calling for rain and cold for the next 6 days. the cold isnt to bad but the rain
could put a damper on some of the great outdoor activities.

[JimB]

In Beijing the fireworks have been non-stop since about 4 pm.  I sounds like a severe thunderstorm with lightening.  I am told it will be that way until morning.  Midnight being the loudest.

[mustfocus]

I don't think it sounds like lightning...but after the first day it usually sounds like sporadic gun fire...

[Cam]

I just wish they would go to bed, 1.50am and they are still at it though it has slowed down considerably in the past 30min.
 No consideration for old folk like myself, thought I'd try a few night clubs a bit earlier worrying whether I would get in or not, they were deserted.

[Vince G]

I don't think there is any certain time they have to stop making noise. On the phone with my lady one time (6 AM there) and saws are buzzing, yelling it was a whole construction crew working? Oh yeah and it was Sunday morn? Try that here? Disturbing the peace.

[ttwjr32]

tonight will be very interesting on the pearl river with the festival
here in Guangzhou

[Vince G]

To my surprise!! Went up to the super market to pick up some food and other goodies. In between here and there in one of the shopping strips, A Chinese restaurant, market, and misc, most have the name of "Hong Gong City" ?

So on my way I notice allot of cars in the lot esp. for a Sunday? As I pass the restaurant, about a hundred people have gathered standing outside in celebration of the New Year, Dragon dance and all. (no fireworks?) It was good and nice to see. Well? it made me smile...

[rockycoon]

Thought you Americans might enjoy this one:

San Francisco's Chinese New Year Festival and Parade is the largest celebration of its kind outside Asia. It ushers in the next year in the cycle of 12 with a spectacular parade, complete with lion dancers, floats and Chinese acrobats.

These annual celebrations include the Flower Market Fair (6 & 7 February), Miss Chinatown USA Pageant (20 February), Chinatown/YMCA Run (21 February), Coronation Ball (26 February), Chinatown Community Fair (27 & 28 February) and the Chinese New Year Parade (27 February). The Chinese New Year itself, when in 2010 the year of the ox becomes the year of the tiger, falls on 14 February.

The Parade moves from Market and 2nd Streets to Kearny and Jackson. Watch its elaborately decorated floats, school marching bands, martial arts groups, stilt walkers, lion dancers, Chinese acrobatics, the newly crowned Miss Chinatown USA and the Golden Dragon (Gum Lung).

The dragon, over 200 feet long, is always featured as the grand finale. It takes a team of more than 100 men and women from the White Crane martial arts group to carry it through the streets, accompanied by 600,000-plus firecrackers.


Talk about your Chinese New Year party's.....Only in America....:icon_cheesygrin:

[Vince G]

NYC has a chinatown also. They close off the blocks and the party begins. Only a block or two is Lil' Italy. Each group gets to do this in celebrations. Anyone can go to these. The Italian one I know they have had it for about a century (it's in the Godfather as well). People come in from all over for these celebrations. I've been here (Florida) for 12 years now and this is the first I've seen it here.

[mustfocus]

Over here (Toronto), they don't shut down any roads for CNY, but several of the larger chinese malls (3 that I know of, but I think there are 4 or 5 that do it) do hold celebrations starting around 10pm New Year Eve...

But we do shut down roads during the summer for many festivals (really annoying for drivers)...

[ttwjr32]

when i was in the USA i lived in california close to san francisco and if i wasnt in
china i went to S.F. for the new year and it was always awesome  they put on events
just like you were in china recommend it if you can get there during this time