Seventeen: Bottlerocket

So we were pretty lame and stayed home on New Year's Eve. We had half-assed plans to go down to Dam Square where everyone gathers, but... "it's so cold! And the trams will be packed with obnoxious drunks! And Dam Square will be packed with obnoxious drunks. And it's kinda late..." So we stayed home, but managed to pick up a half-bottle of champagne. Staying in ended up being a pretty good idea because even though we missed the revelers we witnessed one of the most spectacular fireworks extravaganzas ever! They weren't super fancy fireworks - just the standards, but they were absolutely everywhere. From our little pop-up room on the roof, which is mostly glass, we got a 360-degree view. As far back as we could see in every direction, fireworks were being set off in the streets. And not those measly little roman candles, ground spinners and bottle rockets you see amateurs setting off in the States. These were the real thing. Apparently most fireworks are legal here, and everyone takes advantage of that on New Year's Eve (they also set off quite a few "illegal" ones, but in typical Dutch fashion no one cares). A couple of guys were setting them off in the street directly in front of our door, and they whizzed up within feet of our vantage point. This went on, non-stop, for half an hour. When you stepped outside the sound was deafening! It elicited a few involuntary ducks, "whoa!"s and "aaaaahh!"s. The poor birds. Rollie, as usual, was unfazed. Toward the end of the display, a giant paper lamp floated up from the street. Kim said, "Is that someone's lamp??" We ran out to take a look as it floated up and away. Looking around we noticed that they were everywhere! They looked like Japanese lanterns, red and gold. I guess they work like mini hot air balloons. It was eerie and beautiful and not very environmentally friendly (everything probably ends up in the canals).

Anyway, Happy New Year everyone! Feest Nieuwe Jaar!