However, they ended up understanding the scope of the epidemic, the value of harm reduction and the need to stop discrimination. I was very impressed. These teachers are forming the health workers of the future for this area and I feel this training has helped all the students at the health school, not only the village doctors. Soon the students will be taking a month break to celebrate the lunar new year otherwise known as Chinese New Year. They call this celebration Spring Festival and it is traditionally a time to be with family.
Businesses close down and in some areas of China there are large celebrations.
Last year in Kunming, however, it seemed as if everyone either stayed in their homes for four or five days or left town. Having just arrived a week or so before last year's celebration, I was still relying on restaurants for survival and I had a hard time finding any place open. But this year I will be leaving the country for vacation along with everyone else. Friends will be coming from Colorado to take a trip with me to Vietnam.