阅读理解

　　New Year’s Eve in the United Kingdom usually consists of decide which parties to attend and how much alcohol to drink before and after the countdown to midnight．But in a country that won’t celebrate its lunar New Year for six more weeks, I wondered what to expect as the 2001 calendar year came to a close earlier this week．

　　To my surprise, it wasn’t much different form home．Many young Chinese appear just as determined to usher in(迎接)the New Year with music and dancing．

　　Because I wanted a New Year with Chinese characteristics, I feasted on snake with a group of Westerners at a neighbourhood restaurant in Beijing．

　　Although I wasn’t so keen on the slimy snake skin dish we accidentally ordered, I actually quite liked the rest of the snake．Perhaps my New Year’s resolution(决定)should be to try new things more often．

　　At a Western pub near Sanlitun afterwards, I was surprised to see many Chinese faces in the crowd．As the countdown to 2002 began, the champagne flowed, joining Westerners and Chinese together in celebration．

　　The many cultural differences between Britain and China no longer mattered at that moment．Revelers wished both friends and strangers all the best for 2002．

　　Just as the Chinese attended the Western New Year with us, I hope we can partake in(参与)their festivities next month to welcome the year of the horse．