Labor Golden Week

Sorry for the delay in posting. We have had a very hectic week.

Labor Day (May Day) is celebrated differently in China than in the rest of the world. First, there are no speeches or parades to commemorate Labor Day. They do not have military parades like Russia nor labor official speeches like Canada and the United States. It is celebrated more like Presidents Day, major sales at all the department stores. Also for most government employees, white collar workers, students and teachers it is a 7 DAY HOLIDAY.

In 1999, China decided that the people are not spending enough. To get them to act more like tourists, they changed three holidays into week long events. It is like three weeks more vacation for the lucky people who do not work retail or in the tourist business.

As university professors we have benefited from the change. In the last week we have gone on three local tours with some of our students and a shopping day with our neighbors. Some of the trips have been long and tiring, but they have all been fun. Getting to interact with our students in a social setting has been very enjoyable and educational. Marsha and I wish we could have that type of experience back in the States.

The next few posts will tell you about our activities.