So, in China they really love this time of year as it is a one month long party. They know how to party for sure. What is the most fascinating is their perception.

Christmas, as we all know is a Christian holiday, but to the Chinese, it is a day to celebrate and party. The holiday in Mandarin is called "Shengdan" （圣诞） or translated to mean "birthday of Jesus Christ".

What do you do on a birthday? Throw a birthday party!   So, Christmas Day is a day for a dinner with friends and a party -- usually going to karaoke to sing and drink and celebrate a great birthday. The younger people, thinking anything foreign is chic, have really embraced this tradition.

A week later they celebrate the world wide year end with more revelry and this is a New Year but not THE New Year.

This year, on January 26, China will celebrate year 4707, the year of the Ox, the second year of a 12 year cycle. They don't have to worry about what to buy family for a present, no last minute shopping here. Everyone gets a "hongbao"（红包）or a red envelope with money inside. Chinese tradition. Takes the stress out of the holiday.

Everyone needs to experience a Chinese New Year in China at least once in their lifetime. These people sure how to have a good time.

I remember the first Chinese New Year that I spent in China.  My wife Hua and I were living in Shenyang and we did not have a car which meant that we made numerous trips to our nearby Carrefour supermarket (large French supermarket chain in China) to stock up on food and New Year goodies. The Chinese must have been inspired by Quebecois when it comes to beer as most beer in China is served in quart bottles, not pints. This is not a complaint, but makes a "two-four" somewhat inconvenient to carry back home.

This 7 day (now 3 days since 2006) event is amazing and washes away the old year and everyone and everything thing starts off with a clean slate.

Tomorrow I will share the rest of the story.