The first four phrases you should learn before coming to China

The first four phrases you should learn before coming to China are:

1. ni hao = Hi


2. xie xie = Thank you


3. bu yao = literally means "don't want", but used to say "no thanks", especially useful for pushy street vendors


4. zaijian = good bye, or see you later

The Chinese New Year is January 29th. Decorations can be seen all over. Red lanterns, yellow streamers, and fancy displays. New years eve is still two days away, but the firecrackers are going off almost once a minute outside. They are not annoying, like little pops in the distance. But sometimes there are huge explosions, wow, like just now. Boom!

I was told to expect New years eve to sound like a war zone, with explosions and fireworks going on all night. Interestingly, due to injuries, fires, and noise pollution the city of Beijing outlawed fireworks six years ago. However, many people complained that the New Years Celebrations just did not feel the same without them. So after a long prohibition, the city again permitted fireworks. So this years celebrations ought to be extra loud!

Whew, I got my new visa without much difficulty.