THE RESOLUTION: Something New
January 1st, 2013
Perhaps the most suitable beginning for this challenge, completing the first of the 169 resolutions set forth by ThirteenSquared at the strike of midnight as we welcomed 2013. This holiday season marks my first Christmas and New Years in Europe. My sister and I were lucky enough to have our mom move across the ocean because now we get to come visit! In the spirit of this big change we tried to sample some of the local holiday customs, including cooking traditional dinner for the 24th. We did NOT though, wait until January 6th to open our presents; that's just crazy! Do you know how many extra days of waiting that is?! :O But this story is not about that, mainly because there was no such thing as ThirteenSquared until the big tower clock struck midnight and the 3 of us found ourselves standing amongst thousands of revellers at the famed Plaza Cataluña.
The masses gathered and moved in the large square of the old city bringing dozens of languages, cultures and nationalities together into the dark and chilly night. In the medley of colours some of us held on to a handful of grapes, traditionally eaten by Spaniards at the height of the celebration. Many more held their beer or wine in plastic cups having been stripped of all bottles/cans at police checkpoints near the square. Large groups of young men threw fireworks into the crowds garnering cheers and clapping from those not angered by the proximity of the unexpected explosions.
The general air of the evening was a pressing and drawn out feeling of expectation. But nothing happened. There was no lights. No kissing couples. There wasn't even a countdown. Twelve o'clock came and went without notice, and still nothing happened.
I could not capture a moment to represent the anti-climatic introduction to 2013. Apart from the wonderful opportunity to share this night with my family, there was just the drunk guy who jumped in the fountain and the sky lantern that refused to fly. So in search of something, we followed the crowd down the large street heading towards the ocean. La Rambla is normally covered with vendors and street performers. Tourists and locals alike can head here in search of souvenirs and trinkets, fresh flowers or a new pet. It also an excellent place to settle in and watch the professional pick-pockets work their magic. Tonight, La Rambla will truly be the star of this New Years as the mob displays global stupidity and the consequences of being given nothing to do (hint hint Barcelona).
It didn't take long before we were funnelled through the street like sheep to an area of remarkable chaos. The crowds dispersed from the tree lined pedestrian area at the centre of La Rambla as glass rained down from the sky. Tonights version of entertainment was a mob of brainless individuals sending wine and beer bottles crashing onto the pavement. Perched perilously atop the back rest of a bench I watched others brave the incoming waves to 'rescue' any debris that could possibly shatter a second or third time. Utilizing my advantageous position head and shoulder above the crowd, I observed the people to the north making sharp and unexpected moves until the glint of large helmets with shimmering face masks reflecting the movements of the night pushed into view. Riot police. Using their shields and bodies they initiated a human stampede. I turned to my family before they could reach us and holding tightly on to each other we made our way across the flow of bodies to the building walls on the edge of the street. The small ledges would provide more protection than attempting to move like ants in an unpredictable march through an undersized hill. The vast majority of the people continued to pushed south until bigger gaps of the concrete below us were revealed once again and the well organized riot police regained control. Big street cleaners appeared out of nowhere and it would not be long before a single trace of the mob could still be detected and we were back at home.
Happy 2013!
One woman. One year. 1 down. 168 to go.
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