While I have always loved spending New Years Eve getting dressed up and taking tons of photos with friends while playing Dick Clark's TV special, this year may take the cake for my favorite so far.
There weren't fancy outfits (or makeup for that matter), but there was plenty of rice, friendship, and locally grown coffee. To my surprise, there was even fireworks and a *tiny* glass of wine!
Although my dad and I had originally planned to spend NYE on Bocas Island, absolutely everything was booked, and we decided to celebrate the coming of 2014 with my small village on the mainland. Though I certainly love the island, I have to say, I'm glad things turned out the way they did.
We ventured out to town that morning to pick up fireworks and food, but were surprised to see that every. single. bus. was full by the time it got to my stop. Three and a half hours and a few headaches later, we finally finished what is normally a 15 minute trip. Stocked up, we returned to my little village to start preparations for the evening.
A small group of villagers who live near the center of town took charge, and together we prepared coffee and cookies, soup, rice, and a small cake (That last one was my contribution). The one family who owns a solar panel put a movie on their laptop and over 20 men, women, and children eagerly gathered around to watch a Spanish subtitled movie while waiting for the clock to strike 12.
Instead of the usual countdown at midnight, the party host gave a small speech and then we shot off several fireworks and burned a stuffed scarecrow. Burning these "dolls" of the old year symbolizes letting go of the past and any bad memories associated with it. If only I had gotten a before picture!
There weren't fancy outfits (or makeup for that matter), but there was plenty of rice, friendship, and locally grown coffee. To my surprise, there was even fireworks and a *tiny* glass of wine!
Although my dad and I had originally planned to spend NYE on Bocas Island, absolutely everything was booked, and we decided to celebrate the coming of 2014 with my small village on the mainland. Though I certainly love the island, I have to say, I'm glad things turned out the way they did.
We ventured out to town that morning to pick up fireworks and food, but were surprised to see that every. single. bus. was full by the time it got to my stop. Three and a half hours and a few headaches later, we finally finished what is normally a 15 minute trip. Stocked up, we returned to my little village to start preparations for the evening.
A small group of villagers who live near the center of town took charge, and together we prepared coffee and cookies, soup, rice, and a small cake (That last one was my contribution). The one family who owns a solar panel put a movie on their laptop and over 20 men, women, and children eagerly gathered around to watch a Spanish subtitled movie while waiting for the clock to strike 12.
Instead of the usual countdown at midnight, the party host gave a small speech and then we shot off several fireworks and burned a stuffed scarecrow. Burning these "dolls" of the old year symbolizes letting go of the past and any bad memories associated with it. If only I had gotten a before picture!
