China New Year Feb 2008

There is much celebration leading up to the New Year. Here are a few pics at one of many gatherings of my friends in Dongguan. One must be prepared to eat and drink much.

Our friend Jackie pondering his next move.

This is a white liquor, similar to moonshine, called bei jiu. This particular lot contained gold flakes.

The gold is believed to bring goodluck. I was feeling good that night.

Alan and I finished the evening off with a relaxing foot massage at the Silver World Hotel.

And of course my favortie #30. Since this post I checked up on #30 in April. Sad to hear she has moved on to another hotel, or has moved back to her home province of Guangxi in southern China. She will be missed.

David, Louis and I on New Years eve.

Note the red jacket.

More bei jiu

The New Year decorations at the Silver World Hotel lobby.

China New Year

Due to the bad weather, and some last minute travel changes, I wound up in Dongguan for the New Year, Xin Nian. I had the privilege of visiting David's relatives in XingNing about a 5 hour bus ride from Dongguan. Cold and wet I spent, 2.5 days sleeping, drinking and eating. It was good to get away from the big city (which I consider Dongguan) and see life in the "country side".

I thank David for this memorable trip.

This is David's relative. I believe her name is Lana. She is from a small village about 2 hours from Xingning.

Auden Xu's new car

It's been a few months since I posted some news. Today I just learned that Auden finally bought the car of his dreams.....He just put his life savings into a new VW Magotan. YOU ask what is a Magotan....well that is a good question for us Americans. Similar to a Passat.

Here is Auden trying to negotiate a lower price back in January 2008. I like the sales lady better than the car. Her name was Lilly...that I remember. If you want to buy a car I have her number.