Happy 2010

Glückliches Neues Jahr (German)! Gelukkig Nieuwjaar (Dutch)! We hope that you have had a great start to 2010. Isn't it crazy that it has been an entire decade since we partied like it was 1999, and were awaiting Y2K at midnight?

We were really surprised by the firework displays on New Year's Eve here. We stayed in for a quiet night, but knew that there would be fireworks around the area. We knew because neighbors were practicing their launches for a few days prior, and it was loud.

But we had no idea just how extensive the displays would be. Every town for miles had quite the show going on. We looked out a window on our second floor and could see them all on the horizon. It was spectacular.

It was also pretty funny, because in the United States there are such regulations involved with fireworks. People can't be within so much distance of the launch site. Here, on the other hand, you can apparently launch full fireworks shows from your backyard. I was imagining that people would just have sparklers and firecrackers at their houses. No, it was really full-blown fireworks. In their yards. In every town on the horizon. So, it was awesome. Just really loud, and just a tad scary.

We had some friends over on New Year's Day for a nice brunch, and it was a great way to welcome in the new year. Happy 2010!