{Today}

We celebrated the Chinese New Year in London's very own China Town. 

Secretly, (or perhaps not so secretly anymore)I had been looking forward to this day for about a week or so. And so, you can probably imagine my frustration when I woke to threatening skies. It poured. All day it poured. I can't say that I have ever been so appreciative of my rain boots. We refused to let the rain completely ruin our first Chinese New Year celebration.
The celebration was complete with handfulls of Asian families (which made me feel right at home), vibrant paper lanterns, Asian drum performers, Chinese dragon performances and some exquisite Chinese food.
Happy Chinese New Year everyone.  

 My morning travel companions, Tuna & Jennifer

This creature, that I thought was a dragon,  is actually a Lion. There is a mirror on the head of the Lion that supposedly scares off evil spirits (the spirits are scared by their own reflections). The dance brings good luck for the new year.
We watched the lion stop from place to place. Each store or restaurant hangs lettuce leaves with a red envelope of money in it for the lion. The lion scatters the lettuce; symbolizing a fresh start to the new year.
I just love different cultural traditions.   

 Thank you to my dear friend, Tuna, for holding the umbrella for me as I snapped photos.

 I loved watching this little Frenchie poke through the crowds of people. She makes me laugh

 Oh, Rai.