The bakery

We bought some fig bars at the neighbourhood bakery, which were delicious.

I have had a bad cold since last week that was not helped by the flight and the time change, so have spent the first two days in the apartment. This afternoon Jordan and I went for short walk in the neighbourhood. There are many shops and stores, most of which are closed as the shopkeepers have traveled to their hometowns to visit family for the Chinese New Year.

In addition to the bakery, the convenience store was open. There was also a very large fireworks stand with a lot of merchandise and customers. I had hoped that they would be sold out as the celebratory fireworks have been going nonstop pretty much since we arrived.

Firecrackers are also in great demand during the Chinese New Year. They are used in a number of celebrations and events, such as before eating lunch on New Year's Eve. When visiting someone’s home during the New Year’s holidays, firecrackers are lit at the door before entering. Jordan and Sandy were in their Hebei apartment for the New Year and lit firecrackers there as well as fireworks at midnight. When they picked us up from the airport, we came back to their Beijing apartment, so lit firecrackers for Annie since it was the first time entering the house in the New Year. Jordan said it was to chase away the ghosts.

There is great significance attached to fireworks that are used throughout the year to celebrate special occasions. There are a lot of special occasions!