This year there were fire crackers instead of fireworks. This year there was a burning doll instead of a dropping ball. This year there was samba and salsa instead o two-step and swing. This year there was a meal at 1 am instead of at 10 pm. This year there was bingo instead of football. This year there were flats instead of heels. This year I spent it in the streets instead of inside. But this year, like all the rest I spent it with many, many friends.
Like Christmas’ Eve, New Year’s Eve our neighbors spend in the street, running around greeting everyone. There is more activity and are more people running around on New Year’s Eve. All the kids are up, no matter how young. The big event isn’t a countdown to a ball dropping, but a sudden explosion of firecrackers. The boys, and men, spend countless hours making life-size effigies to signify all the bad that has happened in the past year. These dolls are FULL of firecrackers. After a little singing, high-fiving and jumping around, the more courageous guys light the dolls on fire and everyone runs for cover – close enough to watch and shutter at the sound but hopefully far enough away to not be hit by flying debris. Once the show is over dancing and dining commence.
We used this time after the dolls to visit friend in their homes … and eat and dance too. Then we turned in early, at 3 am!
The next day we joined friends for lunch and a game of picture Bingo. A family of eight, many with children of their own, invited us into their house. It felt like home … a different home, but a home where I belong.
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