One World One Heart Giveaway

This stop on your magic carpet ride brings you to Southwest China....

a world of beautiful mountainous landscapes & densely populated cities

smiling faces

&
colorful people

25 of China's 56 nationally recognized minority groups reside here. Representing unique cultures and traditions; many of these minorities have excelled in the creation of vibrantly embroidered handwork.

This year, Chinese New Year (which is based on the Lunar Calendar) falls on February 14th, Valentine's Day. The people here will be celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Tiger with fireworks, family meals together (which may or may not include spring rolls, dumplings, sweet sticky rice balls, and New Year's cake), and trips home to their loved ones. Some may also go on day outings. School children will have about a month or more of holiday and their parents a week off from work. Countless small shops and markets will close for 3-7 days. In remembrance of your visit, one of you will receive a silver Fú (foo) 福 charm which means "Blessing." Doors and windows all over the country will be decorated with red paper cuts, children & tiger figures, or banners containing this character. Some hang the 福 upside down encouraging the blessing to pour out. Red is the color of Chinese New Year and also the color of the envelops filled with gift money that the children happily receive (hóngbāo s 红包). You will also receive a locally made small hand embroidered purse.

As you depart southward on your carpet ride, please be sure to linger long enough to look down and see the lights of Hong Kong.

Remember to leave a comment to enter your name in the giveaway. I will randomly pick the winner around 12midnight EST and make the announcement on February 15th 2010.
Thank you for dropping in.
一路平安!