Firecracker meltdown

Next year I am so going to Thailand

One thing I don't like about the CNY is that there is no end to the fireworks/firecrackers. I barely slept last night due to the constant sound of firecrackers being set off outside my window. At one point I was so sick of it I decided to skip sleeping and simply just get up and watch the 'fun' and I actually became a spectator of two quite interesting events taking place outside my bedroom window during the cold, Suzhou night.

Event one: Grandpa setting off fireworks wearing his finest silk, matching pyjamas. Son and grandson watching from the side, letting the old man do the job.

Event two: A black car pulling up at a parking spot. Three grown up Chinese men getting out, bringing with them what looks like a giant firecracker bomb. They place the 'bomb' on the ground (in the middle of all the cars), light it up, then run back into their car and speed off! As the car drive away the 'bomb' explodes and all the car alarm goes off... wow! Almost as if they were in some sort of firecracker battle?

(I waited expectantly for something else to happen after this 'hit and run' but 'unfortunately' that was it... Might go and have a look in a bit though, it sounds as if they are (still) blowing up the whole yard outside our window.)

Event three: Fireworks exploding outside our neighbors balcony, shedding some light on the dead chicken that they have hanging out there (dried meat it is a must during the CNY) 

Now, if setting off firecrackers during the CNY is meant to bring luck and fortune (and get rid of evil spirits -or something like that?) I can tell for sure that everyone (except for us) living in our complex are going to get dirt rich this year, the way they have been burning fireworks. I just wonder if people still believe in all of that or if the setting off firecrackers is more like something you 'should do' just because it's a new year... If so, how come people don't get sick of it? Fair enough, a day, two days.. maybe even three... but ONE week?! One week of non-stop explosions... Gosh, next CNY I really HAVE to get away from here (even though I have to admit that I enjoyed watching the old PJ man and the three 'battle guys' -the dead chicken I could have been without).