Gung Hay Fat Choy!

It is Chinese New Year  right now, and a few days ago, my family went to the Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown.  It was raining hard.  And I mean raining hard!  But that didn't stop us from having a good time.  We went on the sky train from Brentwood Mall,  and then we transferred at the Commercial Drive station to the downtown one.  The first thing we did was go into this huge building that was sort of like a mall, but with Chinese stores and shops.  Me, Ellie, and Sasha each got to buy a Chinese jacket.  Mine is the most beautiful purple and white pattern.  After, we headed towards the place where the parade will run.  It was 45 min. before the parade started, and already it was packed. And I seriously mean packed!  It was SO crowded.  Luckily, we got a spot at the front so all was good.  Except that it was raining and cold.  So, when the parade started it was loud.  There were super loud drummers,  lion and dragon dances, and people handing out li chi envelopes.  Basically li chi envelopes are are little red pockets that have candy or coins inside.  The dances were really cool, the lions and dragons are like huge puppets that have two people inside.  There were lots of people dressed up as rabbits because this year is year of the rabbit.  I was born in year of the rabbit!

Here are some pictures

lion dance  
















li chi envelope














Those were not from the parade, but actual pictures that are really from the parade will be coming soon

                                                             Gung Hay Fat Choy!

            P.S. that is how you say "happy new year" in Chinese.