恭喜发财

To all my Mandarin-speaking friends: 恭喜发财。老虎年快乐！Happy Chinese New Year!
This year, Chinese New Year began on Valentine’s Day and lasted until the end of February.
On the 21st, DC’s Chinatown held a Chinese New Year parade. I already knew that Chinatown’s locals used traditional characters, but I was still struck by numerous Taiwanese flags hanging next to American flags. Having visited the PRC four times, I subconsciously expect the flag of the 共产党, instead of the 国民党.
Most of the parade attendees were non-Asian, unfortunately. Regardless of being back in the US for half a year, I still prefer an Asian (or Chinese) crowd. I guess that year I taught in China affected me more than I thought. The vendors were also not Asian, which made the area seem even less Chinatown. This is a feat because the area is predominantly Western stores and restaurants anyway. Damn you, Verizon Center!
Dad and I watched the many lion and dragon dances. We even saw people in Chinese zodiac costumes, although the rooster was not convincing. The parade lasted about thirty minutes. I want my parades to last longer than a wait for Domino’s.