Four generations of a Chinese family lived across the street from us in the Bangkhae area of Bangkok. On one of our last days there I looked out my window to see the family matriarch preparing this pile of offerings. The smoke carries the blessings up to the heavens. The pile burned down quickly as the lady threw fistfuls of coins over it, to land in the street. A neighbor encouraged me to pick up a few for good luck, which I did. I have felt blessed ever since.