New Beginnings : Year of the Horse

Yes it's finally come. A new year. The Year of the Horse.

Big Store ! 81 Avenue d'Ivry 75013 Paris‎

Dragon acrobat preparing

Drummer and cymbals !

Tang Freres 48 Avenue d'Ivry 75013 Paris

Wanting to see what is going on in Paris, I trundle down to the 13th arrondissement on the afternoon of 30th of January.  I've waited until 4pm to go out because I keep hoping the skies will lighten but no. It is grey and very somber.
How great to find the 13th bustling with energy. Red everywhere ! Positive ! Especially the courtyard of Tang Freres and on the sidewalk in front of "Big Store" where two troops of "dragon" acrobats and loud drummers are there making quite a raucous backdrop ! The dragons, made up of fit men and women seem mischievous and joyous! The drumming and cymbals encouraging them to great heights of one, two then three ! The finalé of firecrackers leaves the crowd a bit surprised and covering their ears but smiling all the same.

A welcome invitation to celebrate with Amy friends at the home of Marc A. on the "reveillon" or night before New Year. Li Ling is going all out, cooking up a storm. Getting there an hour or two early, I find Marc a bit worried that we have too much food! Ha! He underestimates our devouring horde of foodies .

L made six very colorful and delicious dishes.

Ribs with Sweet Mango

 

New Years Sweets

 
Those New Years Sweets ?

Candied Cucumber, Lognan Nuts, Cedrat, Sweet Olives, Plums, Coconut and other unidentifiable candied vegetables.

We also had persimmons, apple pears (Nashi)  and date prunes liqueur... and the stories flowed!

Such a happy moment ! Wish you had been with us Amy! You were often mentioned and again we thank you for getting us together at one time or another.    




One nice thought is that this celebration of the new year goes on for ten days. So there will be ample opportunity to get together and celebrate more than once!

Ami Friends in Paris