A Chinese Easter

Unlike Christmas, Easter passed relatively quietly in Harbin. The only signs we saw were a few posters of cartoon Easter bunnies in the window of the local Pizza Hut franchise. The Chinese have not embraced Easter as they have Christmas. Not sure of the reason. Perhaps the religious tones of Easter are so much stronger than the Christmas.

Nonie, who is always thinking, brought back all the fixings for an Easter egg decorating party. So Saturday was set aside to have the younguns over.Much like our Christmas tree ornament making party, they immediately jumped into the spirit of the moment creating some truly unique designs and patterns on their hard boiled eggs. White eggs do not exist in Harbin, brown only. This created some interesting colors after the eggs were removed from the dyes.

Faberge had better watch out if the Chinese should take it into their minds to start creating those beautiful and intricate egg creations. We had to make it very clear to some of our guests that even though the eggs were hard boiled, they would not keep for ever and would need to be eaten or thrown away. Much to their consternation as they did not want to destroy all their hard work. The afternoon included a highly competitive Easter Egg Hunt and finished with a piece of Easter Bunny cake and ice cream.

Nonie has had a successful return to the classroom. Her Friday students presented her with a lovely bouquet of flowers and a small wall hanging to welcome her back. That is just another of example of the kindness that we experience almost every day from the Chinese. I will miss these little civilities when we leave China.

We will be celebrating the thirtieth birthday of one of the younguns this weekend. I sense a party in the wind. More next blog.