Happy Lunar New Year!

Banners decorating the outside of the Asian Garden Mall

It's that time of year again where you'll see red, yellow, and gold lining the Asian areas with hanging lanterns and cherry blossoms in windows. In the night you'll hear firecrackers go off and see dancing lions. February 3rd is filled with exchanging of gifts, in particular, red envelops filled with new money. Remember, anything that happens on the first of the year will happen for the rest of the year.

The Outdoor Marketplace

I haven't really celebrated the new year much in the past but it's always fun to see what goes on. Even though I lived in Orange County for about 5 years, this was the first year I went to anything remotely related to new year activity. I only went to the market they put up every year in front of the Asian Garden Mall in Santa Ana, CA.

Inside the mall they had a special group of artists that were touring from China. See below the cut for more pictures ^_^

This store has lots of tea and New Years Snacks they weigh by the lb.

Clay Orchids about 2" tall.

Sand Art Artist

Tiger Sand Art

Sand Art Portraits

Boxwood Carvings

Close-up on the Boxwood Carvings

Syrup Art. You have to eat it in 3 Days

He's starting a new Sculpture

Each booth had a banner behind it explaining the history of the art

Bamboo Art. On the left they show tools used to make the bamboo mats.

This is my souvenir from the market. It's a Dancing Lion Puppet.