This is Eli in Europe! Whew! I can't begin to explain how treacherous new years in Amsterdam is. There are many celebrations across the city, but the only official party is at Oosterdok, which luckily is only 10 minutes away from our hotel. In Dam Square and many other places, citizens light off fireworks in the middle of the street. Fireworks are illegal in the Netherlands except for one week before new years. At that time, thousands of Dutch people buy fireworks, which they light off anywhere at midnight. The police presence, even at the official celebration, was minimal. The tradition is to open champagne at midnight and spray it around (or drink it.) The unwritten tradition is to then drop the glass champagne bottle and let people crush it into sharp pieces that are later cleaned up by some poor employee.
Leading up to midnight, there was a "sing-along," or as I like to call it, "a bunch of drunk Dutch people singing out of tune to American songs." We were unaware a countdown had begun, and by the time we noticed, it was 2014! A fantastic fireworks display followed for the next 10 minutes, but the unofficial fireworks are still being shot off now, an hour and a half later!
Overall, I'm glad I experienced how the Dutch celebrate new years. However, next year, I won't mind watching new years from the comfort of my living room!
Happy new year wherever you are!
This is Eli in Europe, signing off!
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