The weather was very pleasant in the Bay Area, perfect for watching this year’s Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco. The parade didn’t start until 5:30pm, but we left after lunch so we could do some shopping and secure a good viewing spot. We read that this night parade is one of the biggest in the world but didn’t really believe it. But we were convinced afterwards! More than half a million people showed up, which is 10 times the one I saw 2 years ago in Orange County. The night illuminated parade lasted 2 hours and a half. I thought it was just endless! It was really awesome!

This seven-foot high sculpture in Downtown Palo Alto is made of computer circuit boards quilted together in the shape of an egg, which signifies that Palo Alto was the birthplace of the Silicon Valley. The words sewn into the circuit boards are in a variety of languages and include French, Japanese and Russian. This sculpture caught our attention as we were walking along University Drive.