Year of the Tiger

Letter from Guangzhou (22-1): Happy Year of the Tiger

This year, February 1st was the first day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar and the Year of the Tiger. Best wishes for all of you.

The day before was the last of the Year of the Ox. Unlike the West, where New Year's Eve is for Partying, it is traditional for Chinese families to gather on the Eve for a big dinner, much like Christmas or Thanksgiving dinners in the West.

It is a miracle that I am here in Guangzhou City celebrating the New Year with relatives. GZ is a little over an hour by train from Shenzhen (and only 30 minutes by Bullet train). Just 2-3 weeks ago, SZ had a few local covid cases, which triggered massive testing, more or less compulsory every other day. I may write about that in another article, but not here. Suffice to say SZ, a city of around 10 million people, mostly with migrant roots in other provinces, worked incredibly hard to stamp it out just in time for people to return to their laojia (old home) to celebrate the New Year. SZ government had the people on its mind, and the people appreciate the gargantuan efforts of the Heath Care professionals. Unlike elsewhere, it's a reciprocal relationship.

Instead of words, here are some food pics to greet you! Salut!

Night before Eve：Fish Fillet 炒生鱼片 and Whole Fish with Roes 红烧鲫鱼. Sausage. 

Front shows Chicken Feet, stuffed Lotus Roots 藕盒 and fried Pork Belly 腩肉片.

最特别是这瓶特供酒

Eve: Assorted Cured Meat, Prawns, Steamed Flounder 多宝鱼

and Lamb Hot Pot 羊肉火锅