Clear days in Shanghai

looks like it’s going to be a nice clear day today. This view makes me long to the city and always get’s me out of bed. Shanghai experienced some smoggy days lately, reason for me to put the data from the last 10 years in a graph. Somehow, the last two days seem clearer then ever. Perhaps the factory outside Shanghai, that was demolished last Thursday – reducing sulfur dioxide emissions.

photo: China daily

14 February Chinese newyear

On February 14th, it will be Chinese new years and preparations have commenced, in our compound and at the supermarket there are cheerful red decorations everywhere. Also, I hear more and more fireworks around the city – although you hear fireworks all year round. I made a movie of a few Chinese men firing off some in September in front of my house… on a Sunday morning.

I will be spending new year evening in Shanghai, as I was scared it would be too crowded to travel abroad that day. For a good reason, On January 30, an estimated 150,000 people left the city to return to their families for the holidays. Shanghai Daily reports that 25.63 million passengers are expected to travel though Shanghai in the next 40 days.

For me, Chinese new years will mean a short holiday!