The Yi people just celebrated a major festival- the Fire Festival. Our friends invited us to participate- hope you enjoy these photos and can learn a little more about Chinese culture!
Not all of these are the Yi; all other people groups participate because it is so much fun! Look how terrified Adrian is. Because our Chinese is still pretty limited, we weren't exactly sure what we were being invited to. They told us to wear tennis shoes because we were going to walk a long way to get to the place, and my student, Lindy, also said "Bring Adrian, it will be so much fun!" 
She didn't mind the thousands of people or the fire... but when those fireworks started going off this poor thing jumped on me (which she usually gets a pop on the tush for... but I couldn't blame her so Scott and I took turns holding her tight!)
It looks like Scott's arm is on fire! The police were in a frenzy trying to control the thousands of people- can you imagine the terrible wild fires that could have started by all this? Thank the Lord it's been raining every afternoon this summer or all the crops would be history.
Here is Scott with John (who is one of my students) and his friend who he nick-named "Short Round"
Here is Lindy. Lindy is so sweet and considerate. Every time she comes for class she makes sure to put her house slippers back in the shoe cabinet and Adrian just ADORES her and will sometimes sit on her lap during the whole class. Wow I just realized how unprofessional that sounds. Eh, it's only $2 a class. professional -shmofessional.
When I got home and looked over the pictures, I felt like such a bad mommy to see Adrian's face. But she got a long warm bath (which she loves- and she also loves the hair dryer) and then she got to sleep in the bed that night. I hope we made it up to her!
It looks like Scott's arm is on fire! The police were in a frenzy trying to control the thousands of people- can you imagine the terrible wild fires that could have started by all this? Thank the Lord it's been raining every afternoon this summer or all the crops would be history.
Here is Scott with John (who is one of my students) and his friend who he nick-named "Short Round"
Here is Lindy. Lindy is so sweet and considerate. Every time she comes for class she makes sure to put her house slippers back in the shoe cabinet and Adrian just ADORES her and will sometimes sit on her lap during the whole class. Wow I just realized how unprofessional that sounds. Eh, it's only $2 a class. professional -shmofessional.
When I got home and looked over the pictures, I felt like such a bad mommy to see Adrian's face. But she got a long warm bath (which she loves- and she also loves the hair dryer) and then she got to sleep in the bed that night. I hope we made it up to her!
We walked about 2 miles to light our fire and set off our lantern. The whole two miles was just as crowded as this, as was every side-street on the way. It seems like all 1million people in the city turned out for this! Our students Lindy and John were embarrassed and angry at how people reacted to seeing foreigners. They kept saying "Mrs. Han, Mr. Scott every one is staring at you!" we said "I know, they always do!" They just couldn't believe it.
Here is our paper lantern flying away!
Here is our paper lantern flying away!
It took a good 2 minutes holding a flame to the lantern to get it to ignite- finally it took and then we watched it fly.... and then it pitifully fell back because we accidentally burned a whole in the side! :-(
Look how the camera shot plays tricks on your eyes- the boy looks like he's on fire!
Along with lighting big bundles of sticks and flying paper lanterns, you can buy a special dust that, when thrown into the flames, would make a tiny explosion. I felt like I was in a Harry Potter book or something! haha
Short Round just threw the dust on the fire- look closely at Scott's face!
Here was the first fire that we came across. On the way back home there were about 500 more families in this area.
"Uncle Scott" (shu-shu) with John, Short Round and Lindy.
I hope you enjoyed learning more about Chinese culture! I wonder if people feel jealous that we get to do stuff like this all the time.... I would certainly miss it if we ever had to leave!
Look how the camera shot plays tricks on your eyes- the boy looks like he's on fire!
Along with lighting big bundles of sticks and flying paper lanterns, you can buy a special dust that, when thrown into the flames, would make a tiny explosion. I felt like I was in a Harry Potter book or something! haha
Short Round just threw the dust on the fire- look closely at Scott's face!
Here was the first fire that we came across. On the way back home there were about 500 more families in this area.
"Uncle Scott" (shu-shu) with John, Short Round and Lindy.
I hope you enjoyed learning more about Chinese culture! I wonder if people feel jealous that we get to do stuff like this all the time.... I would certainly miss it if we ever had to leave!
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