Bang! Bang! Boom!
The shots ring out, and I have to restrain myself from ducking for cover.
"China is not at war" I remind myself "These are happy explosions"
Still it's difficult not to be alarmed by the frequency of the blasts which echo off the tall buildings that surround me. Some are single massive explosions, others rapid bursts like a WW2 era machine gun.
Ratatat!
I have never experienced anything like this before. Chinese New Year, is different from any Western holiday, which are comparatively subdued, and might reach their peak with the popping of a champagne bottle.
The Chinese know how to party. Light off as many Fireworks as possible! The next morning the ground is covered in a thick layer of red. Not Blood, but the paper skeletons of used fireworks.
I came along outside with Serena and her parents, for what, I'm not yet sure. We left the apartment building complex, and are standing on the sidewalk along a Main Street. Burn marks have scorched the ground all around us. I am carrying a bag full of paper, and I sense something is about to happen.
Clack-Clack-Clack!
I continue to walk a zig zag, to avoid sniper fire. There are fires burning on the side of the road, a stray dog makes a run for it, towards the mountains, away from the fire fight!
My plan for the Chinese New Year was to do my very best to stay out of the way. This however, has not gone to plan, thanks in large part to the hospitality of Serena's family. I have been invited to participate in many activities. I made dumplings that fall apart in my hands; got my butt kicked playing Mahjong, for several straight hours until exhaustion blurred my vision; and watched the annual spring festival gala on T.V.
Even though I don't understand much of what's going on, I have loved every minute of it!
Poomb! Poomb!
Serena's dad marks a circle on the pavement with a stick, and then lights fire to the paper. So far my job is to hold the bag of paper, and periodically hand it to Serena who places it in the fire. I notice writing on the paper, and am told it is special paper money that is burned to send it to families members who have passed away.
Boom! Boom!
I look around and see several other fires along the street. The blasts continue, but I'm growing used to them, no longer jumping at each explosion. The freezing air makes me huddle close to the fire, and being a part of this ritual connects me to the holiday more than anything else.
The Chinese New Year has not been immune to commercialization, similar to Christmas, including advertisements for deals at Burger King and Pizza Hut. But this feels real, and reminds me of going to church on Christmas Eve. The fires around me, like the candles burning while "silent night" is sung at the end of the service.
Boom!
Maybe this night isn't so silent. Still, I sense this is not my first New Year celebration, I've been out here before, I've just called it something else.
Bang!
My train of thought crashes, and I realize it's time to go inside.
