...you find:
1) cold weather this side of the continent,
2) people with the Beijing cough as a result of the terrible air pollution,
3) the steering wheel on the left side of the car, not like Hong Kong where the steering wheel is on the right side of the car,
4) traffic jams at all times of the day,
5) unregulated firework displays which makes it seem like war outside during Chinese New Year (see video below),
6) one cents and one dollars, but no change in between,
7) one cents that come in two forms: heavy and light metal (the latter feels like plastic money),
8) lots of people,
9) lots of historical Chinese relics,
10) large disparities between the rich and the poor,
11) kind, but cautious people,
and 12) delicious lamb's spine restaurants!

Delicious Lamb's Spine!

Take a look at the fireworks above during Chinese New Year!

Dear friends,
In China, you can find almost any delicacy on a stick. Squid on a stick, Pork on a stick, beetle on a stick, scorpion on a stick--you name it, they've got it.

The above pictures were taken from the Temple Festival in Pan Jia. The Temple Festivals are very popular amongst the locals for Chinese New Year. There were so many people at these festivals! Take a look.

My favorite "thing" on a stick is this crabapple/fruit thing:

Mmmmm, I'll miss those when I go back to the United States and Taiwan...

You can find more pictures here: China Photo Set 5!

Dear friends,
I am gearing up for my trip to Beijing for Chinese New Year break. I imagine the weather in Beijing is going to be very very cold. Check back later for a more extensive blog post... I'm very busy right now wrapping things up in Taiwan.