The first signs of spring

In January as soon as we returned to Shanghai the Christmas decorations were down and the Chinese New Year decorations were up. I love this time of year when China is glowing with beautiful bright red and gold decorations symbolizing good luck.

Of course in China they do not refer to this festival as New Year, but as the Spring Festival (chun jie - 春节), and there is a definite buzz in the air as people start preparing for their most important annual celebration. The shops are now full of new year displays and promotions featuring the zodiac sign of the dog.

More important than the decorations and shopping of course, is that the festival does literally sing in the beginning of Spring, and in the park this weekend we saw the first buds on the cherry blossom trees.

In preparation for the Spring Festival I have finally been to order a traditional Chinese dress, otherwise know as a qipao (旗袍) from the tailors in the Pearl Market. I can't quite believe that it has taken me 7 years to do this, but better late than never! Below you can see me picking my fabric and some pictures of the Pearl Market which is really famous for its pearl jewellery (obviously!) and all the fake goods that they sell.

Stay tuned for more pictures of the Spring Festival celebrations....