Raining Stars

Last night, I went to Jacques Cartier Bridge with a good friend, and we saw the fireworks show put on by Team Canada for this year’s Festival de l’International des Feux Loto-Québec. The theme chosen by Canada was “Armageddon”, and the show officially started at 10 pm.

It was cold last night, dropping down to 16 degrees near midnight. Years of living in Canada made me indifferent towards the cold; I’ve grown used to it. But standing on the bridge with the wind blowing at our faces was quite something. The wind was very strong, and I was not expecting to be shivering when watching the fireworks in the summer.

The strong wind blew a lot of firework pieces in our direction. At some point in the show, there were so many flying pieces coming our way, some still hot and red, it felt like armageddon. I ended up putting on my sunglasses to protect my eyes, and everyone on the bridge, me included, was constantly raising our arms to protect our heads. I think I even had a taste of fireworks because a small piece went straight into my mouth. It was dangerous, to be honest, but I had quite a thrill. It was fun, and I’d go again next show, with warmer clothes and perhaps a facial mask.

As fireworks burst and blossom amidst the dark sky of Montreal over the Saint Lawrence River, it was as if they were falling onto us like meteor showers. Never in my life have I ever been so close to such spectacular fireworks. I didn’t think it was even possible to view fireworks so up close. The sky above our heads was lit up, painted with colours that I have no words to describe, like a masterpiece. And it was raining – raining stars, shining, withering, falling.

When I was 12, I saw the most beautiful summer sky full of stars. I will never forget that night.

Last night, just like 8 summers ago, I felt the same awe when I sat there, looking up at the sky. Something was so compelling that even when the fireworks pieces were falling onto us, I couldn’t look away.

I sat there, and I painted a picture in my mind. It was as beautiful as the sky I was looking at.