We're on break from school, starting
today (Saturday, September 29) until Monday, October 9. It was a bit confusing
for me to understand the history and politics behind the observance of these
holidays, but I think I have this year's holiday calendar figured out, thanks to
talking to many locals and expats who have experienced the holidays in China,
as well as good old Wikipedia.
This week, we are celebrating two
annual holidays, which are combined to comprise one week of vacation time, one
of the two Golden Week holidays China now celebrates. (There is much controversy regarding
the Golden Week holidays in China. I'll let you
research that if you'd like. Which you probably won't. So I'm not going into it
here and now.) The following explanations of the holidays are comprised of info
spliced together from Wikipedia info. Follow the links if you please.
The Mid-Autumn Festival (which can
be celebrated any time from September-October, depending on the given year and
the lunar calendar), is celebrated Sunday, September 30. This is like an
autumn/harvest festival.
The National Day of the People's Republic of
China (simplified Chinese characters:
国庆节; pinyin: guóqìng jié)
is observed every year on October 1. It is a public holiday
in the People's Republic of China to celebrate their national day. The PRC
was founded on October 1, 1949 with a ceremony at Tiananmen Square. The
National Day is celebrated throughout mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau with a variety
of government-organized
festivities, including fireworks and concerts. Public places, such as Tiananmen Square in Beijing, are decorated in
a festive theme. Portraits of revered leaders, such as Mao Zedong, are publicly
displayed.
Celebration day
|
English name
|
Chinese name
|
Dates (2012)
|
15th day of 8th
lunar month
|
中秋节
|
Sun September 30
|
|
October 1
|
国庆节
|
Mon 1–3 October
|
This is a time of year
that a lot of people try to leave China, avoiding a week of fireworks and
noise. Besides, many stores and restaurants are closed. While my flatmate Kari,
as well as other teachers and international families, have left China to travel
elsewhere for the week, I cannot. The status of my work visa only allows me one
entry into China, therefore I cannot leave until my more permanent work visa is
processed (takes about a month). This will then allow me to exit and enter
China as many times as I want, as a temporary resident on a year-long work
visa.
 |
| My bites into the Moon Cake. |
with that. I'm recuperating from being sick. I want to ready my classroom and really prepare. Coming to terms with not being able to travel this week due to my visa status was a bit frustrating, but really for the best and all the wiser for me to stay here and settle into my new home.
So, I’ll [continue
considering to] eat my Moon Cake (seriously, check that link
out. I did after I ate my first couple of bites, and then decided NOT to
continue eating it, for obvious reasons in the description). I will also be
blogging far more than you probably want to read/see from Cup o' Joe or school,
since we will have no internet in our apartment until after the holiday week.
At least it gets me out and about! Yay.
