 14-Jan-2012 02:53, SONY DSC-W55, 2.8, 6.3mm, 0.025 sec, ISO 200
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As if the fact that nearly everything has closed for a week, I was reminded yesterday at midnight, that the lunar new year had begun. I was awoken to foghorns and fireworks outside of my window that went on, non-stop, for 15 minutes. Initially, in that state where you think you might be awake, or perhaps in a dream, watching yourself in a fake reality, I thought that we were getting bombed and an air raid was called. My room even lit up a few times due to the blasts of pyrotechnics. Once I realized the truth of the situation, I must admit, it was funny.
Tet is a knock-off the Chinese New Year. This year it is the year of the dragon. I think the dragon is scary, but have been told it will be great year, as the dragon represents power, wealth, prosperity and royalty. In preparation for Tet, I watched as locals’ de-shelved grocery stores of their chocolate, junk food, nuts, and booze. I watched a man ring up nearly $300 worth of chips and oil. The shops are filled with red and gold ornaments and incense sticks of all sizes. Every xe om that I see is overloaded with apricot blossom trees, balloons, gift baskets, decorations, and small pieces of deconstructed visual displays. Everyone is cheerful and a bit manic.
 06-Jan-2012 23:29, SONY DSC-W55, 5.2, 18.9mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
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Having no other actual holiday, even this one, technically not their own, either, Tet is the biggest celebration of the entire year. Flowers are grown all year in the country to purposely be harvested for the elaborate displays in certain cities. Streets and the doors of big corporate buildings are decorated, and little nooks and crannies show up all over the place for photo ops. The best part of all of this? After the first few days, of which are already pretty quiet…everyone leaves to go to the country and those left here get to experience HCMC in a very special way. No traffic, no screaming, no food vendors, no motorbike accidents…just utter cleanliness, quiet, and flowers. It’s pretty amazing.
Today, knowing the city would be empty, I decided to go walk around district one. I walked to the post office to mail some letters. It was only mildly full of older Americans and Japanese tour buses. That was a nice change. Next I decided to walk to Tao Dan Park to see the flower exhibit. I was in HCMC for the first few days of Tet last year, and pleasantly found the festival by accident. It was so amazing, and as I got closer to the park, I felt the excitement of a little kid, and picked up the pace.
 21-Jan-2012 23:23, SONY DSC-W55, 2.8, 6.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
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After paying my $1 entrance fee, I was excited to see some new things. There were dragons carved into big boards, hand carved table and chairs, and an umpteenth number of little rock carvings. In fact, the rock carvings and the bonsais overwhelmed all the other displays this year. The giant flowery animals this year, were two dragons adorning the main entrance. Though, the dragon was also the animal created last year…huh. Anyhow, the children’s park returned, this year with a candy and gingerbread theme, accompanied by giant story boards and music blasting at a high decibel, as usual. Also returning to join the veteran rocks and bonsai were the monsters made of edibles.
 21-Jan-2012 23:25, SONY DSC-W55, 2.8, 6.3mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
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 21-Jan-2012 23:31, SONY DSC-W55, 7.1, 6.3mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 100
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 21-Jan-2012 23:45, SONY DSC-W55, 5.2, 18.9mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 250
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There were a few bamboo models of palaces, an aquarium with a boat backdrop, a stage for music, life size artsy huts, an obvious love for pepsi, and much of the park was beautifully landscaped with all sorts of colors and styles of flowers. It was really nice to walk around…especially as there were not too many other people there at the time of my visit. Again, it’s a rare feeling to have space in this city.
Next, I trudged down to Nguyen Hue street. I had been surveying this street for the past week or so, as the preparations began. Now finally complete, closed off to traffic, thus open to pedestrians, the street was amazing! The multitude of flowers, and the details of each display were so creative. While I could go on and on, I will let the pictures I took do the talking for themselves.
Also, like the park, it was only mildly busy. Unlike the park, however, it was in the direct sun, and after multiple rounds up and down the street, stopping off on side streets packed with book sellers, I was ready to pass out from the heat, and scooted back to my apartment.
 Nguyen Hue St 22-Jan-2012 00:29, SONY DSC-W55, 7.1, 6.3mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
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 22-Jan-2012 00:34, SONY DSC-W55, 7.1, 6.3mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
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 22-Jan-2012 00:34, SONY DSC-W55, 8.0, 7.2mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100
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I will probably go again to both venues at night as they were wired for a sparkling evening display.
