Eric's Beijing Diary

New Year's Day. One passenger on the bus. This town is pretty dead on New Year's Day. Every town in China is pretty dead on New Year's Day. The whole country shuts down. It's much more profound in the countryside, but you couldn't help but notice it no matter where you are in China. The ticket guy was obviously up pretty late loast night. New Year's eve in China does not end early. World War III starts just before midnight, with little kids handling fireworks that only the fire department would be allowed to detonate in the US. My landlady took us to the same restaurant again. Really nice meal. But it's hard not to have a really nice meal when you eat out in China. Chinese restaurants aren't that good for a single person eating alone. The whole culture is designed with groups in mind. If you are by yourself, it's better to go to a coffee bar or something. But if you are with a group, you can't beat a Chinese restaurant.