Welcoming the Ox....with a bang!

On New Year's Eve I went for a walk. It was strangely quiet. Shops were closing down - all except for the vendors selling fireworks. Here are four pictures of an intersection not too far from our apartments. Each picture is a different corner of the intersection:

Yes, there were fireworks vendors on every corner. There are all kinds of firecrackers and fireworks. The largest firecrackers (round one) will cost you more than $20. (US dollars).

There is a great variety including ones in the shape of the Olympic torch. I have no idea what it looks like though.

The stores were closing all over and people were preparing for the New Year. Many businesses were lighting firecrackers in front of the business for good luck. These firecrackers are in the shape of the number 8 - the luckiest number in China.

That evening we went to our friends house for dinner and games and to await the New year. They have an apartment with a great view of the courtyard of our complex as well as the street and other complexes out the other end. Although we thought it was fairly quiet, there was certainly a deafening roar and quite a show of fireworks throughout the night and climaxing between 11:30 and 12:15. I was able to capture some video but was not able to upload it. Just imagine your towns fourth of july fireworks outside your apartment window. Seriously - it's pretty amazing.

I tried to take a picture of the debris that night on our way home, but the dust was just too much.

The next morning the firecrackers started again before 6am. All throughout the complex boxes and red confetti paper from the firecrackers littered the sidewalk. The firecrackers and fireworks have been ongoing - not constant but definitely happening. The city is quiet. Most people have off work these few days and are spending time at home or visiting their family and friends.