Weirdest Christmas Ever

Here in Chongqing, the Chinese treat Christmas Eve like New Years Eve in Times Square: tens of thousands of people fill the city center well into the night. But instead of watching a ball drop, they beat each other with blow up plastic bats and shoot silly string at each other. It is very bizarre. I was out tonight having dinner with some of the other volunteers, and I raced home to avoid the large crowds. And to avoid being hit or sprayed. 

I first knew something was up when I arrived at the place where we were going to have dinner and there were a couple of hundred policeman and soldiers standing in formation at various points. And when I came back to the plaza near where I live, they had riot police, in full-on riot gear, keeping the peace!  I guess they want to ensure nothing gets out of hand by offering an intimidating presence. 

I was glad to know if anyone bothered me, I could just go over to the police. They make sure foreigners aren't treated badly, as it reflects badly on China. 

By the way, Christmas here is celebrated as a purely secular holiday, and just mainly for the public decorations. No one exchanges gifts, but the city centers are all decorated with trees and lights and such. The decorations in my part of the city are sponsored by 7-Up, if that gives you any indication of how seriously it is taken here.