Saturday, December 31, 2005

Happy New Year! (Xin Nian Kuai le!)

In Traditional Chinese characters: (these characters might not show for some of you)

My co-manager, Barry, invited me over to his place to have hot pot with his family, and ring in the new year with Chinese tea (is that why I'm still awake?) and watch the fireworks display at Taipei 101 (the tallest building in the world, which I FINALLY went up a couple of weeks ago, thanks to one of my guests). The display was highly dramatic - there are many lights on Taipei 101, and they use them to full effect, and at each section of the building shoot off fireworks. And we saw it all from the comfort of Barry's living room. We could hear the fireworks through the glass - he lives at most a mile away from the building. Mostly white fireworks coming out of the building. And, at the top, the lights spelled out 2006 on the north side and Taipei 101 on the west side, and, on both sides, BAVARIA by Sony. I have no idea what BAVARIA is, and neither did anyone in Barry's family. But, we know that whatever it is, it's by Sony. I'm assuming that Sony foot the bill for at least some of the fireworks.

Anyway, I've got to get up in about 6 hours for another hike (can't miss that!), so I have to get to bed, but wanted to help ring in the year for those of you who are just a little behind (tee hee). . .

Happy New Year! May you all have good health in the year and years to come!

I'm providing a slightly blurry picture of Taipei 101 a couple of days before Christmas, to show a sample of the light display, which, in this case depicted a christmas tree. I didn't bring my camera for the New Year's event, so no pictures of that. . .


leora
P.S. I've only 3 more months here in Taiwan! Time is flying. . .