It's going to strike 12 o'clock. Let's get the firecrackers ready, Rose.
Aren't firecrackers forbidden in the city?
Well yes, but they are not allowed only in downtown areas. It's OK here. It would be difficult to ban customs that have thousands of years of tradition. The habit does bring kids joy and excitement so long as precautions are taken. Let's go out and set off firecrackers out there.
Fantastic! The whole city is echoing with crackling sounds!
What other activities will you have tomorrow?
Quite a lot. The celebration of the New Year has just started. The first day we southerners have sweet rice cakes for breakfast, and people in the North have Jiaozi. Afterward, we will make New Year calls on family relatives, husband's side on the first day and wife's side on the second.
Do you bring some gifts along?
That's for sure. Fruit, cream cakes, medical tonics are often for parents and aged relatives, and cash enclosed in a red envelope for the kids. All this, of course, should be well prepared beforehand.
Is it the same practice for all families?
Not all the same nowadays I must say. Many families, especially those of newly married couples, choose to make an overseas trip to escape the routines. Rose and I had a tour to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong last year. We stayed there for two weeks until the last day of the holiday.
I really appreciate the way you Chinese people exchange feelings. The holiday's long enough for you to relax.
Well, for city dwellers, the Spring Festival is a holiday of seven days. While in the country where traditions are still heavily emphasized, the festival lasts ten days.