Every Chinese New Year, tens of thousands of Chinese set off tonnes and tonnes of fireworks across Shanghai (and all over the country for that matter). Two of the favourite firebombs of choice are particularly ear-shattering little devices. Probably the most popular is a rather small tube from which a single fireball is launched into the air before exploding several seconds later in an eardrum-shattering BANG! A second of a line of noise-making explosives that sounds like a long round of artilery being shot.
Chinese people tend to take this little tradition very seriously - it is intended to scare off the demons from their houses (which they have spent all day cleaning). Needless to say, as foreigners caught in the middle of all of this, we really didn't need much more of an excuse than that to get involved ourselves.
It was nearly 2AM after several hours of fireworks when this elderly gentleman emerged from a row of houses across the street from my party of choice for the evening to take care of the necessary dirty business. Cigarette in mouth, away he went.
That's the way to do it, indeed.
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