Chinese National Holiday, Chengdu

On the first day of the chaotic nationwide Chinese holiday, where almost a billion people are on the go, we headed to the bar-lined waterfront of Chengdu. Settling down in the only bar where they could understand my order (a giiiin – and – toooonic? Gin? Tonic? Bombay sapphire? Eternal frustration), we observed the street slowly coming alive, night falling and the empty streets filling with a whole multitude of people. As we walked out of the bar, I realized the night sky was ablaze with dozens of Chinese lanterns floating into the sky, each being lit and sent off with its own desires, every point of fire rising in the night followed by an intent look from somewhere on the ground, with the hopes of its sender that it would go higher, further, that it would not suffer the fate of the other lanterns that were drifting past in the water, sizzled out, or those tumbling from their heights with half of their paper sides set on fire, oddly beautiful as they metamorphosed and changed form, cindering away into nothingness. Down below, sailing on the river, were small lily pads designed out of paper and plastic, shaped like pink flowers, upon which was lit yet another candle and placed delicately into the water as they drifted away. Fire above, fire below, reflections of blue, green, yellow, red, from the buildings and skyscrapers along the river that came alive dazzlingly at night. From each bar emitted the sounds of karaoke, of different music channels, laughter, cars beeping amongst dozens of bicycles, couples walking by. The street was pure energy, and I felt like a seamless part of it, sending off my lantern with my own wish simply being that life would be full of moments that made me feel as this one did.

Yangshi street by night