””””LHASA, Feb. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- "My love for my girlfriend is as pure as the
white snow," said poetic 27-year-old Purbu from southwest China's Tibet
Autonomous Region on a white Valentine's Day.
””””Flurries started falling from Lhasa's sky Wednesday evening, blanketing the
whole city in white snow by Friday, adding a taste of romance to this year's
Valentine's Day in Tibet.
””””Purbu said he had ordered 10 roses in a local flower store three days in
advance.
””””"In the last couple of days, roses have sold quite well. Many people have
ordered flowers in advance, in case no roses are available on Valentine's Day,"
said Purbu.
””””Though it originated in the West, the holiday for lovers is fortifying its
popularity among Chinese with a more open mentalityand rising income from social
and economic progress.
””””With the regional annual per capita income of urban residents ranking the
10th in the country, Tibet is happy to see more local lovers able to enjoy the
romance of Valentine's Day.
””””At about 8:00 a.m., a couple came to the Potala Palace square to take
photographs in the snow to commemorate the special day. Their brilliant smiles
brought warmth to the old prayers in Potalaon the chilly winter morning.
””””Sangmo, a 65-year-old prayer, cannot withhold her blessing for the happy
young couple.
””””"In our youth, we didn't know the names or appearances of our husbands
until the wedding day, since our marriages were arranged entirely by our
parents. Things are different now. Young people love freely and decide marriages
by themselves," Sangmo said.
””””However, Dawa, a local newspaper staff, was frustrated in finding a new way
of celebration.
””””"This is the fifth Valentine's Day I have spent with my girlfriend and
almost all the fresh celebrating methods have been tried already. I feel quite a
headache searching for a more innovative way," said Dawa.
””””Tibetan businessmen also rack their brains in search of lucrative
opportunities on Valentine's Day. In many cafes and stores, red roses, love
songs and fine red wines create a romanticenvironment to attract more customers.
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