Chinese New year Part 1 of 3

We are pretty lucky to live where we live. There are several Chinese New Year celebrations that occur in around our area. There are several "China town" areas within a short driving distance. This weekend there are two- one in the city, and one in Flushing. We decided to go to the Flushing one because A) it was closer than the city, B) it was on Saturday rather than Sunday, and we wouldn't have to deal with the kids going back to school the next day- aka me going back to work the next day after a long week off.

So off we went with our close friends and their kids. The parade was to start at 11:00. We got to Flushing around 10:15. We missed the parade... yes we drove around for 45 minutes trying to find one stinkin spot... one parking garage....or rather two stinkin spots... or one parking garage... (we drove in seperate cars). Ok so we passed the parade route at least twice..heard the parade caught glimses of the people in the parade- saw tons of people walking toward the parade..

We found a spot- at 11:30.. We parked- went to the bathroom and as we were walking we were noticing people walking in the opposite direction of where we were walking- with costumes- drums- flags HMMMMMM. we thought the parade was over at 1:00. So we get to the barricade where there are several officers.. excuse us Mr. NYPD guys.. ummm is the parade over??? Ha they must of had a good laugh. Yes they told us... sorry but it was... however they directed us to the fireworks that were going to happen in a few minutes..
Yes at least we got to see the dragon dancing around all the fireworks. It was fun... I had only read about this part of the Chinese New Year in books... Yea fun!!

We then walked around the area which is all Asian. We drank bubble tea - I love bubble tea. My friend Jo finally got to try it- it seems they don't have bubble tea in China.. Ahhh she didn't like it not so much due to the Tapioca pearls on the bottom...YUMMY.

We got a picture of the kids with a dragon... not sure what the white dragon symbolizes, but the dragon crew stopped all foot traffic so our kids could pose.. FUN.. the guy said this is what Chinese New Year is alllll about... Nice Guy..

We then walked around the neighborhood- blended in- right- and then had lunch/dinner at a really good Chinese Hunan restaurant.. DELICIOUS>.... loved it.... in fact they had the soup dumplings that we had in Taiwan... soooo good- and the onion pancakes like Jo's family had in Chiina when they went to get Mia. BUT- I WANNA KNOW WHERE WERE THE FORTUNE COOKIES?????

The kids ate all the food we ordered- they liked most of it- such great kids we have.

Funny story: I was talking to this Chinese lady- she says to me (Pointing to Paige) is that your daughter?? I say, "Yes she is" , she says but she looks a little Chinese...Ha--- of course I told her that's because "she is Chinese"

We wound up having a great day even though we didn't see a parade. It was fun, and I am so happy that my Coleton is getting a cultural education without even knowing it. I am also glad we get to do things like this with great friends.






The second to last picture is this place Jo found on line that we walked to thinking we were going to have some meal... THE STALL... ahh not happening for us...

The last picture is of me and JO enjoying bubble Tea- well me enjoying bubble tea...