Kung Hei Fat Choi from the bunny girl.

A.k.a. “Happy New Year” in Cantonese!

Something I’ve always wanted to do is go and see the Chinese New Year celebration in London and I’ve always missed it by a day. This time, I decided I’d be there *no matter what*, especially as it’s the Year of the Rabbit (me!!)

We were already in London as we’d been to the theatre the night before (Christmas present from Tom’s family. We went to see War Horse, which was amazing and beautiful. Very sad but beautiful- click on the link and see the trailer.) The next morning we went to Trafalgar Square to watch the organisers “wake up” the lions and dragon, which danced!
Sadly there was no big procession this year but lots of street performers in Chinatown! Check out this crowd!!!

Me under all the lanterns

There is a tradition that the good luck lions dance through the streets knocking on every door and giving blessings to the people inside! There were a few around Chinatown attracting crowds. The shop and restaurant owners were dangling pak choi on strings from the window because apparently *these* lions are vegetarian!

Not fair- *I* want to open the door and find a lion dancing on my doorstep!

Nom nom nom.

Rrrrrawl!

There was a luck tree and some kind of game involving throwing bags of stuff at it- this year is meant to be a good one for prosperity and fortune! Decided to go and find food instead though…

You know a few months ago I posted about Space Invaders in Barcelona…? (Entry on October 25th) Well, we found some here too! They’re everywhere. EVERYWHERE!!! (We found two more but the photos were too dark- sorry!)

I thought I’d find out what the year is meant to have in store for me and popped into the astrology shop…

Riiiiiight.

Sadly, there was no enlightenment to be found but there was a secret grotto with fountain, Buddha and crystals. Almost as good.

Eventually, we went back to Chinatown for bento boxes in Tokyo Diner. Yes that’s Japanese, so shoot me We had sat down and were just about to order when there was a knock at the door…..

Happy Chinese New Year!

ROSWELL xxx
P.S. Just got photos from Hooloovoo hair salon, who I modelled for a little while ago. My stylist was Kate:

Here’s a close-up: