Liang: Oh, railway stations are so crowded these days! Every carriage is packed to the fullest.
梁：现在火车站好拥挤！每节车厢人都满满的。
Hugh: Do people have to go to their parents' home on the Chinese New Year?
休：中国人过新年必须要回父母家吗？
Liang: Nearly all people do. Anyway, it's the tradition. Spring Festival is the most important festival for us.
梁：几乎所有人都会回去，习俗就是这样。春节是我们最重要的节日。
Hugh: Any special activities?
休：有什么特别的活动吗？
Liang: There are many. Houses are cleaned and decorated with New Year paintings and Spring Festival couplets. People buy new clothes, visit relatives and small children could get a small sum of money as a gift. A lot of food is prepared for the occasion.
梁：可多了。打扫房屋，挂年画，贴春联，买新衣服，拜访亲友，小孩子会得到压岁钱，还会准备很多好吃的。
Hugh: Are dumplings one of them?
休：比如饺子？
Liang: Yes, there are all kinds of fillings, like pork, beef and vegetables. On New Year's Eve, the whole family would have a big meal together and stay up till midnight. The air is rich with festivity!
梁：对，各种馅儿的，像猪肉、牛肉和蔬菜。除夕夜全家一起吃年夜饭，之后熬夜守岁到午夜。空气里都充满了过节的气氛！
Hugh: I remember the first year I spent here I was totally stunned by all the firecrackers going off. It was hilarious.
休：我记得我在这里度过的第一年被放鞭炮的声音吓得不轻，真是热闹。
Liang: I used to love firecrackers when I was a kid, and fireworks.
梁：小时候我可喜欢鞭炮了，还有烟花。