On new years morning we weren't sure, if it was only a dream, so we checked out downtown and yes, there was really snow.
Snow means extra security activities. Shoes has to be protected and the girl friend needs an extra hand because of the slippery snow.
At a weather like this there is no better thing to do to have a coffee at Starbucks together with friends and the tiger. Tiger? No clue, where he came from but he's with us now.....
The weather was that cold the whole week, so what to do? Cooking german cheese noodles, watching DVDs together with friends - but hey, separated between girls (Sex and the city) and men (Star Wars IV - VI). And from time to time some firework.
Then the miracle happened: Sunshine at the weekend. All people outside for a walk and enjoying sun light and fresh air.
In the middle of all: we. Photo safari at the lake and downtown.
A lot of people were waiting for the nice wetter, especially the wedding photographer. Wedding pics are pretty important here in China. At least 20 different locations and 40 dresses are needed for the absolute minimum set of pictures. It's not that important, if the groom isn't there.
The shoes - if we forgot to talk about the shoes in the former homepage - is still challenging. At least it's not really compatible to the streets. Better having a cup of milk tea the breaking legs.....
The Suzhounese are completely un-impressed by all the photographers and tourists. They just live their life as every day.
Each time downtown we find new details. E.g. the public phone with the video cam. Or the original design of the Microsoft logo.
Everywhere the new year lampions are mounted. In the trees, at the houses, everywhere. Only the Hello Shitty outfit of the bike doesn't really match.....
Soap bubbles are en coture this spring in Suzhou. Kids are running to catch them everywhere.
Also the TaiTai activities started after the new years holiday again. This time the visit of the leather town was scheduled. A bus full of Taitais went to the shopping paradise near Hangzhou.
Leather in this special case means not only leather but everything you can make out of animal skins. And the shop rooms are sorted by buildings and goods.
Somehow the picture could grow in your heads, that Stephan is only lazy and enjoying the TaiTai activities. Well, that's not completely true. Over the last couple of weeks a lot of visitors from Germany and Finland arrived for supplier visits. And additionally there were a lot of evening activities to be planned. One highlight is the music shop also selling bicycles. And the firework shops.... like Christmas....
Also the mobile shoe dry device or the carton collector are worth a 2nd look.
But we wanted to tell you about the chinese new year. This year we managed to find out, where the ending ceremony of the chinese new year was. And it wasn't only us.....
The end of chinese new year is the lantern festival 15 days after the beginning. At this day the lying lanterns are ignited (well, not the whole lanterns, only the small candle) and the wishes are sent to heaven with the lantern. To make sure, everybody can enjoy there were plenty of security present.
The old town gate of Suzhou and also parts of the ancient wall was decorated with lampions. Some people were there to celebrate the lantern festival.
After dawn everybody started (or let's say: tried to start) their flying lantern. Without regret of trees or other people. But we saw the proof, that the Europeans are wimps: 10 - 15 flying lanterns are not able to ignite a tree......
That's it for today, again a "Xin Nian Kuai Le" to all of you, what's next in Suzhou is as always another storie.......
Tigger...
...our new buddy....
