A lonely grave just behind the fence in the park nearby
Todays starts the Qiing Ming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day). This is a day to remember and honor your relatives at grave sites. Families pray before the ancestors, sweep the tombs and offer food, tea, wine, chopsticks and other things. The rites are very important to most Chinese, especially farmers.
Some people put willow branches on their gates and/or front doors. They think that this will help ward off the evil ghosts that wander on Qing Ming. Now people also start the spring plowing, sing, dance, and Qingming is a time where young couples start courting.
Another popular thing to do is fly kites (in shapes of animals, or characters from Chinese opera).
Today the spring really came to Beijing - almost clear sky, sunny and +20. Let us hope it stays like this until Tuesday when the festival and holidays are over and it is time to go back to work.
Spring fishing in Hong Ling Jin Park - just across the street
