Again I am awakened by a loud noise. Is that a train I hear? Cracking and clunking down the line? I don't remember seeing tracks near here... but then again I arrived in the middle of the night. I emerge from the covers and pry open an eye. White light shines through the translucent windows and I surrender to wakefulness. A smile tugs at my cracked lips as I rub the sleep from my eyes. It's a new day and I have arrived in China. A trip to see a friend; a trip to visit a country; an adventure waiting to begin.
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View from the top of one of the mountains. Taken a couple days after I arrived. |
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One of the main roads as seen from atop a small mountain. |
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A look down a smaller street. |
As I walk to market, I pass patches of red... dust? Flower petals? I bend low and examine the strange clumps of paper. Looking down one of the narrow streets, I can see large patches of red every few feet.
Shots fire from somewhere between the buildings and I jump back in alarm. The sound echoes through the narrow valleys, the tall buildings acting as an amp both magnifying and distorting the sound waves until it sounds like waves crashing... or thunder rolling and even a train clunking...
Do these shots meaning gun fire? No one else appears alarmed...
I take another step down the street beneath red lanterns when a whine breaks the silence followed by a couple more shots. I turn the corner to see lights popping and sparking in the air. A few feet away, children crouch and cover their ears, their faces alive with glee.
Click.
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Piles of fire cracker remains was everywhere. |
Fire crackers and fireworks. Anytime, anywhere. All week long.
Welcome to the Spring Festival and the Lunar New Year.
Love and Hugs.
1 comment:
Fireworks are a good way to celebrate!
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