Fireworks Bonanza!

Today, Kamla's 50 公 was super sweet and bought a bunch of fireworks for the two of us silly Americans to light up. As his friend put it, show them Americans how we Chinese really celebrate~

I guess this is the most festive part of the holidays that I really finally get a feel of. Unlike the US, where our holidays typically last 1-2 days, in China, Chinese New Years is honestly a long holiday, spanning some 10-12 days. While I thought the initial bout of fireworks were intense on Chinese New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year's day, no, I was clearly mistaken as they only began selling the intense fireworks starting today, the 5th day of the celebrations. Since people are reopening their businesses starting tomorrow, all the big fireworks are lit up today in hopes of garnering enough fortune in their business for the new year, 财富, as it were. For us two, it was simply for fun.

Since Kamla lives in Arizona, state law mandates that you must have a fireworks license in order to be able to burn them in Arizona, due to the dry climate and arid terrain. For me, I don't think I've really seen "firecrackers" until today. It was intense fun. As we lit up probably only $20-$30 dollars worth of fireworks (which is a lot in China, but is cheap compared to the US), it was exciting, and I felt like I was a kid again darting back and forth lighting and watching the whole rain of fireworks unfold before me. I have to say, this was one of the most enjoyable bits of the whole lunar new year's ordeal. Granted, when it's midnight or 2 in the morning and people are STILL lighting up fireworks next to my window, I am not nearly so appreciative, but for the moment, it was definitely worth it.