Oh my gosh, talk about a crazy week. As I mentioned, Kevin and I decided to cancel our plane tickets for Saturday and hop on an overnight train Thursday night when Kevin got off work. This was an ill conceived plan and we’ve had an extremely hectic couple of days trying to get where we wanted to be. But we’re here now! No longer stranded! I have lots to share about this adventure, but first I want to discuss/share pictures of Chengdu before we left, as there were all kinds of New Year touches!
The first thing we noticed were the red lanterns that popped up all over the city. Many trees are also covered with holiday lights and other decorations.
Chengdu is starting to clear out as everyone heads home for the holiday. The stores and restaurants are closing and the traffic has really died down. These are the restaurants by our apartment. It was actually kind of difficult to find food the last few days we were there!
Stalls, carts and bazaars have popped up around town selling all kinds of festive red decorations. Grocery stores are currently having huge sales on food, so it’s a great time to shop (hoards of people aside).
All kinds of meats and sausages are hanging out to dry all over the city for CNY. In fact, I’m constantly hitting my head on them, which makes me feel bad for the people who have to eat food that has touched my hair! Whoops.
Also, there have been a lot of roosters lately. I’m not exactly sure the connection, but they’re everywhere. It’s kind of sad, actually. They’re all tied up and tripping over each other..
And then they’re hanging from trees. Oh well, I guess worse things happen with meat in America, but it’s just behind the scenes.
It’s a very festive time and we’re loving it! More information on our travel plans and info on traveling on CNY to come! 
Your observations are sharp, I have never seen chickens hanging from a tree, though. How was your train trip? Any thoughts? Bon voyage!
Ugh, my train trip was… interesting. It would have been better if I had planned a little more in advance! I’m going to write an article about the train tomorrow! Thanks!!
Well, those chickens are sad. It seems like it would be a rather inauspicious beginning to the new year. But I know nothing about the Chinese traditions so am likely misunderstanding the meaning of those poor chickens. Maybe you can enlighten me when you learn more about what it’s all about.
Looking forward to hearing more about your being stranded and the rest of your trip.
Much love.
WOW!!! Talk about “enlightenment!” I have been sharing your website with everyone. My hairdresser’s son is studying Chinese in high school and he has been following your adventures and sharing them with his classmates. We’re now in Florida, and one of my neighbors here has a son living in Chengdu. She went to visit him last year and hated Chengdu, but is loving your website. He and his wife are in the mid thirties. If you agree and they agree, we could try to hook you up. They do speak English. Another of my dearest friends has been following your adventures, and is in awe, as am I. Can’t wait to hear what comes next. Love you, grandma
Oh, awesome! Thanks so much for sharing! I’m surprised your neighbors didn’t like Chengdu! It’s supposed to be one of the most livable cities in China! I’m really open to meeting up with their son and his wife- just let me know how they feel about it! Your hairdressers son will be better off than I am if he’s already learning the language. That’s the biggest problem I’m having here! Great to hear from you! Love you.
Yeah, I agree! My Chinese tutor mentioned to me a bit about the chickens but I was a little confused altogether about the CNY story! Posting more about the trip soon, and hope we can skype soon when we get home! Many loves!
Hi, Sugar! It’s good to hear about all of your adventures. And I like seeing the pictures. I look forward to hearing from you again soon.
More stuff coming- just been super busy with traveling! Hope to talk to you more soon!
Well done, and well done on the InspiringTravellers.com piece (http://inspiringtravellers.com/2012/01/23/chinese-new-year-budget-travel/). Your reporting on that is tight, informative and entertaining. Your writing is getting sharper and sharper. Brings a tear to me eye.
Thanks!! And thanks for sharing! I can’t get on Twitter, but my email tells me you tweeted the article! Much appreciated!
I remember when your mom and I were kids and travelling around the world, and we saw various animals in butcher shops with the heads on, and we fuh-reaked out! Dad explained that it was so you knew exactly what animal you were getting, I wonder if the chickens in the trees is something similar? We are prosperous, look at how many chickens we have? Very interested to hear what you’ve been up to sweetie, keep the posts coming! You have a huge fan base here.
Thanks so much for all your support! I’m not sure what the deal is with the animals hanging everywhere, but I have a picture to post soon of a yak/cow of some sort in the middle of Lijiang. It was just hanging up by it’s head and the restaurant was just like carving meat off it and putting it on the grill.. talk about fresh! But totally unappetizing!
Hey, you’re really doing great with that camera! Love the pics and hearing about the adventures. 好运气
谢谢!! We’re trying to work on the picture taking, but it’s a process. A fun one though!