After three Christmass parties in a row (ok, only once per year) it's already a tradition in the Expat community. Massimo and Dahliana invited also this year to the legendary party. Not ever Christmass decoration piece is easy to get here, so sometimes you need to be a bit creative.
The tradition at the party is the secret santa. Also this year regarding to the Australian rules: Everybody puts his secret santa under the tree, draws a number and one by one can choose his secret santa.
And the the stealing starts. After the third theft the last thief gets the present. There were some hard fights, e.g. for the paper hat.
Beside the parties there were also the Christmass markets. Unfortunately we missed the one from the Expat association during our vacation, but there is still the one in the Kempinski Hotel.
Including Santa under the roof and Rudolph, the red nosed reindeer.
And now something completely different: Duct tape. It's the most important thing to repair things. Without it's impossible. Rumors are saying that China will fall apart immediately if the duct tape will disappear some day. Let's see.
December is also the month with a high birthday rate. First Lanir and Liyam, which we surprised with and surprise party. More or less.
Next one was Liz, this time not partying in Shanghai but in the Casa Vostra here in Suzhou. Including home backed pie from Dahliana and plenty of gifts.
Parallel to the birthday Stephan also had to participate at the farewell party of two colleagues, which are moving back to Finland. At least in theory, they will visit quite often here in Suzhou. We would be bad friends, if we hadn't prepared some farewell gifts. For example the 10Kg, powder painted aluminum bar, specially prepared to serve Salmiakki. Wonder what the maximum weight of the luggage at Finnair is.....
Regina and Liz had a nice day in Shanghai. (Windows-) shopping, mulled wine,... mulled wine in China? Yes, there are plenty of germans in Shanghai which imported the "Glühwein" to the peoples republic.
Time flies and it's already Christmass eve. We've been out for a perfect dinner at the Casa Vostra and ended up somehow at Harry's. There we got some special gifts from Santa Heinecken, Santa Calrsberg and Santa Tiger. Looks like we're back next Christmass again.
No chance to stop partying over the Christmass time. Next party was at Mari and Daniel. Well, it's a mixture of house warming and Christmass party and maybe a early birthday party,..... well anyway, party time.
Also in their apartment everything fits. Christmass decoration and warm shoes. It got really cold in the past days here.
And also here we had the secret santa. Also Australian rules, this time supervised by real Australians.
One of Stephan's presents was a helicopter. A new toy. A bit bigger and more stable than the last one. Big enough to fly outside.
Somehow Stephan managed to et infected with the flu, which wasn't gone during new year. So he was willing to drive the hole night through Suzhou. To make a long story short, we ended up at (big surprise): Harry's.
Then it went really cold, not only cold but also whit. Snow in Suzhou, real snow which stayed on the ground. For sure, everybody is out in the parks.
Regina also went out for a snow hike through the gardens together with Nadja. Looks pretty different compared to the summer or lotus blossom time.
If Stephan will manage to go to a Indian business trip and how Regina will be busy the next weeks preparing the move, that's a completely different story......
Ho ho ho....
....in the heat of Suzhou....
