Beijing Christmas Bling!

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My brother said, “I guess it’s too bad you’re in Beijing at this time, no decorations to get you into the Christmas spirit.” I laughed, “Are you kidding? Nobody does bling like the Chinese. The Christmas decorations are great. The outdoor displays at shopping centres are huge and colourful!"

I hope my photos capture the bling.

While I have you captive, maybe I'll tell you something about winter in Beijing. It snowed about a week ago and it was amazing to see so many people out sweeping the sidewalks. I heard that seniors are told that if they come out early in the morning and sweep, they will be paid maybe €1/$1 for a few hours work. I appreciate their work because they make it safe for pedestrains to walk when the streets and sidewalks are clear.

It's interesting to see that people who ride electric bikes in this freezing weather have special bulky gloves with openings at the top of the fingers so that the gloves can slide onto the handle bars where they are tied on. The driver leaves them on the bike when s/he goes inside. You'll see the photo. Also, I have never seen the special protective covering for a child on the back of a bike in the winter.

Finally, it just happens to be Christmas but there was music blaring and champagne flowing as the opening of Godiva chocolate shop in Sanlitun was filmed for TV. The Chinese love to celebrate!

I think I’ll just let my photos speak for themselves...

Happy New Year! Sheila

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Comments

[bvchef]

Yup, You Captured the Bling
What great photos. Thanks for sharing these. It is nice to have some more blogs from you.

[The Great Walsh of China]

I'm off again!
Hi Brendan, Thanks for that. I've just returned to China after Spring Festival holidays and even blogged about the flight. In the next few months I'll be going south in China, over to Burma and then maybe northeast and into North Korea. Thanks for following, Sheila

[bertn]

What can I say - your photos said you had a Merry Chinese Christmas. I think you will have a wonderful one anywhere in the world you find yourself at Christmas time. It is all about you and not about where you are. Belated Merry Christmas!

[The Great Walsh of China]

Seasonal bling
Thanks, I note that Spring Festival bling is still to be seen. I saw big shiny Santa faces on the door of a fast food restaurant in Zhengzhou a few days ago - in March! The Chinese love sparkling colour at any time. Sheila

[D MJ Binkley]

Bling, bling and more bling
Indeed you have captured the bling! I love that Christmas tree. Thanks for the photos of the sweeping. Looks cold.