new years

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new years was spent visiting a few churches, the gospel type of singing attracted my attention but the noise from roaring motor bike and cars attracted it more. at midnight i wondered into town a short walk from my hostel, the streets were dead and no one around. i followed the noise and turned a few corners, to where i found the midnight club, rantepaos street racers. the streets were now packed and like any street race the pavements and curbside have to be filled by stupid people who want to get 'too' close- so i took my seat and jumped and dodged the speeding, out of control bikers

watching them handbrake turn their 125cc scooters was quite impressive but the falls and pile-ups really got the crowds excited- getting hurt was just part of the fun, fire works and flares were set of around us and a non regulated new years party began.

racers entering and leaving the race would flash their lights and head straight for the crowd, hoping the crowd were as attentive as they were, there seemed to be no need o slow and each time the crowd quickly parted a small exit point for the rider to fly through.

the police who attended the racing seemed to enjoy it at much as we did- even watching the drunken fight that broke out between a group of guys- probably about could could go the fastest or something.

a few hours on and i began to get board of the crashes and near misses so i contemplated returning home, but before i did a modified 4x4 truck rolled up, under floor lights and phat wheels and pumping sound system, the crowd assumed it was someone joining the race, but as the doors flung open the military jumped out and began firing their rifles and machine guns into the air. the crowd disappeared almost instantly and i was left standing in the street wondering what was happening, i saw them capture a few guys who were on the bikes and watched at they gave them a severe beating. here to arrest them and any lingerers i was told to run. with more shots fired i wondered if my innocent attendment might result in 'punishment' but as we dispersed to the side alleys and back streets a sense of humor was in the air and the night soon came to a close

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