There is more to life than just firecrackers

One morning last month while exercising I was terrified by a wave of thunderous explosions lasting for at least 10 minutes that seemed to rip through the sky. I didn't know what it was to begin with, but after a while it occurred to me that it was strings of firecrackers set off to celebrate the opening of a hot bath establishment across the street from where I live.

The characteristic smell of gunpowder confirmed my guess. It was the loudest explosion of firecrackers I have ever heard and as such there must have been a large number of them, all lit simultaneously, to cause such a sensational effect.

I hate firecrackers even though for us Chinese they signify prosperity in business and good luck in our personal lives.