The Danang International Fireworks Competition

For the past two evenings, Danang has hosted a fireworks competition. It is a very big deal, even though this is only the second year for the event. This year, five teams competed: Vietnam, Phillipines, Spain, Australia and China. Each team has about 20 minutes to present a"choreographed" presentation of music and fireworks, shot from a boat in the Han River, near the bridge. Hotels have been booked solid for over two months, and a large bleacher section built along the river sells tickets for 125.000 dong each ($7-$8 US dollars), which is an expensive ticket here.

We planned to watch the fireworks from our 3rd floor balcony. On Friday night, Mr. Bo and 10 of his friends planned to watch from our balcony as well. It was a bit crowded. Mr. Bo brought chairs and a television set, so we could hear the music for each presentation. The Phillipines,Vietnam and Spain made their presentations on Friday night. Because I couldn't see very well, I can't tell you too much about it. Vietnam's display included the Christmas song, "Carol of the Bells." Duc was here. When I told him it was a Christmas song, he just shrugged and said, "The fireworks went with it well."

On Saturday night, only Mr. and Mrs. Bo came to watch with us. It was a great evening. China's presentation was spectacular. Their music was from "Romeo and Juliet" and they used a lot of red and white bursts (also some that opened in the shape of a heart). At the quieter moments, they used fireworks that seemed to float in the air, sparkling colors drifting down in silence. It was beautiful.

Australia chose a mixture of music, beginning with an aboriginal style of drums and stringed instruments, then incorporating classical music. It also had some narration. When they announced the results of the competition, they began with what the announcer called "the encouraging awards" (everything was translated into English). Those were the 4th and 5th place, which went to Vietnamand Phillipines, respectively. Australia was 3rd, Spain 2nd and China received 1st place. Well deserved. Throughout the evening, the announcer would say, "Give a big clap for ..." It was cute.

In preparation for the competition, the Han River bridge has been closed off and on for the past 10 days. At times, no traffic could cross. Other times, bicycles and motorbikes were allowed, but no cars. Even when it was open, it was like an obstacle course, with large trucks parked in the right lanes (or both directions--it's a 4 lane bridge) while the crews worked.

One other observation I made today. Bee bought paper towels. They have a lovely printed pattern on the bottom border. Unfortunately, the pattern faces the cardboard tube, so you cannot see any of the colors until you actually remove the paper towel from the roll. I don't know what the reasoning behind that move was. I told Jillian that the paper towels were just part of the mystery we call "Vietnam."

I hope you, too, have just enough mystery and quirky situations in your life to keep it fun.

Grace and peace!