MAY DAY HOLIDAY STARTS TOMORROW

The annual Labor Day festival of China begins tomorrow. The government stated it would only be one day plus the weekend, unlike past years when it was 7 days long. For us here in Hangzhou, it will be a sunny Friday and rainy Saturday and Sunday. Oh well, will stay home and make Pizza (I am becoming an expert).

HANGZHOU RINK Apr 27, '09 (Click photos to enlarge)

Photos from our construction site of of course its not easy to see whats going on, but the first two photos are the ice rink area which is 31m x 60m and the ceiling which is 20m above the rink. The third photo is taken outside the entire building. We expect to have ice on the rink 7 months from now and while that might seem impossible, believe me, its possible.

DAILY FIREWORKS A PAIN IN THE A__!!

Everyday in Hangzhou there are fireworks. From 7am in the morning until late at night. You never know when or where they come from. People explode very loud, bomb-like fireworks for any reason. The fireworks on this video were at 11am on Monday and were being exploded from the front of a kindergarden in the estate across from my office. Just listen to how loud these things are. During Chinese New Year it last from 3 to 8 weeks non stop day and night. Funny thing is shooting them off like this is against the law, but no one seems to care and Police are no where to be found.