Fuegos Artificiales y Feliz Año Nuevo

I did it for you, my readers. I arrived back in Chile only one night before New Year's Eve so I was hoping for something of a transition period, but the annual celebration would not wait for me to readjust. I had an ambitious idea but did not want to end up disappointed as the New Year celebration always seems a bit overrated. I continue to search for that magical evening that has eluded me. Still ranking high on my list are a sleep over at Maggie's house the year that Bryan Adams had song of the year with "Everything I Do, I Do It For You" and the year of our DDHS lock-in.

With this possibility of disappointment lurking in my mind I peeled myself from the couch in Santiago, packed my day pack and headed to the bus stop. Valparaiso is heralded as having a "can't miss it" celebration complete with fireworks. I am a huge fan of fireworks so I was willing to make the trip to the coast to see the second display of the year (my first being 4th of July). But as a recent resident of Valparaiso I was also aware that I needed to make a reservation for acommodation months in advance and prepare to pay a stiff price for the same bed for which I would normally pay ten dollars. I had not made a reservation. That was intentional. In my pack I carried my toothbrush, brush, change of clothes, a book, and my swimsuit. It was sweltering in Santiago but the weather was quite different in Valparaiso. Cold. I visited a hostel where my friend Eric used to live in order to pick up a book and change into warmer clothes. Then I visited my old home, Casa Aventura, and was invited to share dinner with a few guests who were staying there. After dinner we made our way into the street and I lead them to the vista point for the fireworks. The crowd was a bit overwhelming for two of the girls so we split up and I penetrated further into the crowd. I wanted the surround sound experience of New Year's Eve in Valparaiso.

After standing solo for only a few minutes I was invited to join a group of guys. I stood with them during the fireworks and became drenched and sticky from the champagne that was flying through the air. The guy who invited me into their group kept hugging me and yelling, "Mira! Mira! Esto es Chile! (Look! Look! This is Chile!) In the celebrating Chileans I think I found the perfect companions for watching fireworks. I sometimes feel a bit overzealous clapping and cheering, but in this crowd I was just one small voice sharing a strong appreciation for the beauty.

After the fireworks ended I realized that my sandaled feet would have the best chance of surviving the night if I could find a place to sit. I noticed glass bottles being dropped, and shortly after that the first display of public vomiting so I found my way to a brick wall along the vista point where I would spend the next seven hours. I parked next to a friendly group who shortly took me under their collective wing and offered me drinks throughout the night. I realized that I was offending them by refusing the drinks so I would then take the cup and pretend to take a sip or even take the cup and hold it for a period of time and then hand it back. The drunk excitement surged around me but I stayed safe and sober at my post. Occasionally a group of guys would parade past chanting my name and I would wave and smile. There was a wonderful energy and I felt calm and happy surrounded by people having a great night.

As the hours passed the sun began to emerge and my new friends left to go home. I began talking with another girl and after a while we left to go to the market and have some paila marina (seafood soup). I gingerly jumped down from my post and my legs, which had been in the same position for hours, fought the movement. My steps were calculated in order to avoid the broken glass, puddles of unknown liquid, and other unidentifiable muck that covered the walkways and streets. The clean-up was extensive and already in progress. After my first dose of paila in Chile I jumped on a micro (bus) to the bus terminal to buy a ticket back to Santiago. The terminal was crowded and the next available ticket was not until 12:30. It was 9 AM. I waited near the next bus and hoped that some of the passengers with tickets would have partied too hard to make it to the terminal in time. My wish came true. I weaseled my way onto the bus and was on my way back to Santiago. As soon as my seat was reclined I was out cold. After the bus I took a dazed Metro ride and then walked a few more blocks to arrive home. After a shower I was in bed and used my first day of the new year to catch up on a missed night's sleep. I may be getting to old to stay up all night. Feliz Año Nuevo! Happy New Year!

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