Yanshuei Fireworks Festival (02/28/2010)

This is by far the craziest thing I've done in my life. Every year, two weeks after Chinese New Year, a small town in central Taiwan decides that it is time to scare away evil spirits. How, you ask? Fireworks. Lots and lots and lots of fireworks. I saw more fireworks detonated here than anywhere in my life. In fact, more fireworks were detonated here in one night than probably within all of Canada in one year! I don't know where they get the money to do this, nor how the town doesn't burn down annually.  Lots of fireworks launched - ok - no problem, right? Wrong. They launch them AT you. And people run into them on purpose! This is why I wore 3 layers of cotton soaked in water (some people forget that polyester is flammable - this is how injuries and deaths happen!), a motorbike helmet, and a wet towel around my neck (to prevent firecrackers from detonating INSIDE my helmet). That said, highly recommended to try ONCE in your life. Only once.

Ok - on to the pictures (and don't forget the video at the end!):

Video here: