Holli has a good write-up on Chinese New Year and what it is all about, so I'll leave that to her. I got to experience the first bit of "Chunyun" (春運), the time period around the Chinese New Year. According to Wikipedia, this is the largest annual human migration with over 2.25 billion passengers travelling in this two week period--approximately 1.75 trips per every Chinese person in China or 7.5 trips for every American citizen. Talk about traffic!
Unfortunately, on Thursday night when I came up out of the railway station into the plaza in front of the Shanghai Railway Station, I did not have my camera. Of course, I would have stood out even more snapping photos in what I can only describe as a sea of people. In any direction, all I could see was people, nearly shoulder to shoulder. I would guess it was probably what Times Square is like on New Years Eve...not that I would want to be there.
So, in preparing for our first holiday here, we've been given some advice from others around on what to expect, and how to prepare. First, get plenty of cash out. China is still mostly a cash society with people often carrying around significant amounts of money. Few smaller shops accept credit cards, some accept only local credit cards, while large stores, major chains and shopping malls will accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc. So, as we found, everyone else got the same advice, and many ATM's were empty...it reminds me of the run on milk and bread at the grocery store when the weatherman is calling for snow.
Second, don't go to the train station, and stay out of the city... For the holiday, public services are limited, and as we've found, it is common to wait in a taxi stands for 30-45 minutes.
Despite the warnings, we
may throw caution to the wind and go for it. What's the worst that could happen? In the words of the famous Alfred E. Neuman, "What, me worry?"
3 comments:
Brian, that was really interesting. Can you imagine your dad in that crowd?? Sounds like the next several days/weeks will really be a "fun challenge" for all of you. Keep us posted on all the activities!
Mom
Sounds like you guys are finding your way. The photos of the girls are pure joy! I guess your taking that keep everyone happy on New Years seriously!
I say, throw out the dirty clothes and just buy new!
Hugs to the little ladies from the Brown's. Hugs to the two BIG folks too!
What's your weather like?
Hugs Corinne
Weather has been up and down. One day last week was like spring and the next day it was FREEZING and windy. It was so cold that pipes in our building burst, and we were out of water all day yesterday. Not good on Chinese New Year's Eve. Fortunately, problem solved.
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