I Survived...

I'm happy to report that I'm still alive and well... probably even improved after last nights festivities. It is known by my friends that I do not enjoy fireworks. Come the 4th of July I like to grab my backpack and hightail it to the wilderness where the only things sparkling in the night sky are stars and planets.

The sound of fireworks have been fairly consistent around here for the last two days as anyone can buy them inexpensively and there is no social code as to when or where you should demonstrate your playing with fire and gunpowder capabilities. I kid you not when I say I have awoken to the sound of firecrackers both yesterday and today around 6am. Last night was THE night for fireworks of all kinds. And to get to where the most of the fireworks were being ignited I had to hop on my brothers motorcycle and drive the crazy streets of Chiang Mai to get to the river. The closer to the river we got the crazier it got. People, food, and fireworks surrounded my every step. Not a corner existed where one could hide and be safe from the noise, smells, and hazards flying through the air. As crazy as it was I was told by several people that this was the "mellow" part of the river and that everywhere else was 100 times more insane.

The faces of my brother and his friends Matt and David were filled with delight as they purchased 12 fireworks that looked like mini bombs for about $8. In the States people often buy illegal fireworks like bottle rockets. These were a entirely different level of illegal. These were a the small version what you see in professional fireworks displays. And they were awesome! Who knew I could enjoy fireworks so much? I witnessed more fireworks last night than I probably have in the entirety of my life.

Now while I couldn't let my sense of self preservation stop me from having fun, at the same time there was a constant need of awareness. It seemed many people had no idea how their fireworks worked. This led to a lot of running and dodging as things would go awry. And not only did you have to watch out for fireworks but also lanterns that people were releasing. If you release the lanterns too soon they will not float up and instead float right towards crowds and catch on fire. And then there are those people who attach fireworks to their lanterns and release them too soon. Use your imagination. Another sound of the night was from people screaming as they watched fireworks and lanterns go wrong. Fortunately I witnessed no major incidences.

This video is unfortunately shot sideways but shows lanterns floating in the sky, Krathongs floating in the river, fireworks zooming across the river and gives a sense of what it sounded like to be there.