The New Year

I've always been a bit of a New Year's Eve Scrooge--of all holidays this one has always seemed the most overhyped and underachieving.  I mean, you are supposed to go to crazy parties and events and also start the year off on a good foot?  Seems fairly counterproductive to me.  My normal NYE ends in completely unnecessary drama and letdown.

 

This year I spent New Year's Eve at the Brandenburger Tor in Berlin...what a way to ring in the new year.  It had snowed for a few days across northern Germany and kept on snowing through New Year's Eve which ended up being a mixed blessing.  Jackie and I made our way after dinner a very special New Year's Eve dinner at Andrea's, and grabbed a couple of drinks at the Tor while we waited for the countdown to begin.  The snow added a really cool festive and fun atmosphere and also kept some of the crowd from venturing outside, but it was also pretty cold and slushy.  Still, supposedly there was just under a million people partying at the Brandenburger Tor, and it really was kind of like one giant party.

Last but not least, let you be warned, that Germany can be pretty dangerous during New Years.  Starting at dusk on Dec. 31st, everyone and their mom starts lighting fireworks in the streets.  As the night progresses and the level of intoxication increases, this sometimes is elevated to trying to scare bystanders and pedestrians.  It's pretty weird to have someone set off a bottle rocket over your head while walking downtown in one of the largest cities in Europe.

Also (the real last thing), I made a quick stop in Hamburg and got a picture outside the FC St. Pauli Stadium.