Party like it's 2012

With fireworks blasting around me, champagne bottles being opened, and cheers and hurrah’s being echoed from me and my peers; the year 2012 had begun!

I started out New Years Eve by finishing my packing for my two week vacation, tagging along with the Brandt family to their annual visit to Teneriffe. Had to bring back out the summer clothes! With necessities stowed away, I did a quick run-over of the newly cleaned house in Maria park, locked up the house, and started the tow to the Brandts apartment downtown.

It was 4 o’clock, of course already dark but the mist that was lingering around made the night even more dark and mysterious. Already, people were trying out their fireworks! It sounded like I was pulling my luggage down the streets during a war! I lugged my suitcase up the stairs to the Brandt’s apartment and then started getting ready with Alicia for a New Years Eve party that we were going to. We put on some cute black party dresses and some ridiculously uncomfortable shoes and were driven down to the bus station. The party was in a little town just outside of Helsingborg, so we had to take a bus to get there.

At the party I met a lot of Alicia’s friends which was great! The night flew by as we celebrated together, it was a total blast! I couldn’t help but think though what I was leaving behind in 2011, it was a great year for me… graduation, trips, and the year that my journey began really! But, as I said cheers to the old and skal to the new, I came to grips with what 2012 will have to offer. 

When the clock struck closer to midnight, everyone put on their warm jackets, took a glass of champagne, and headed outside. With merely minutes left of 2011, the night was already at a climax when seemingly every person in Sweden was shooting of fireworks! I had NEVER experienced something as spectacular as this. Wide-eyed at the amazing light show, I vaguely noticed a countdown, 8..7..6..5..4..3..2.. ONEEEE God Nytt Ar!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR! We were all very happy and there was much jumping up and down, and congratulatory hugging and drinking.

We stayed at the party for another hour or so when Alicia and I realized that if we were going to make it home in time to leave, (4 a.m.) then we’d really have to hurry! We caught the soonest bus, and were home in a jiffy. All four Brandts, plus myself, plus all of our baggage were crammed into their car and we drove about an hour and a half to Kastrup airport in Kopenhagen. I never recall being in an airport that early in the morning before, and if I have been, I was in a clearer state of mind and I’m sure that makes the process a little easier.

I was in such a weird funk for the whole plane ride, trying to sleep, trying not to be hungover, but I was not too comfortable for those 5 hours spent. Nearing the final destination Caroline advised me to look out of the window… and I did so to pleasantly see the momentous sight of the tips of volcanic mountains peeking over the clouds and growing larger and larger as we descended further and further. I couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face. Passing by the islands above the clouds reminded me of the magical floating islands from the movie Avatar, for those who have seen it. (haha)

When we finally embarked off of the plane, a warm breeze brushed by and I must say, it felt good to be warm! I saw the cactus and the palm trees and viewed the exotic mountains ahead of me and I knew that this vacation was going to be great! We caught a bus that would take us to our hotel, and driving around the little streets and winding roads along the coast gave me a good first glimpse of what I would be spending my next 14 days on! I saw beautiful resorts, lots of sand and exotic plants, lots of restaurants, lots of people, beaches, shopping, running, biking, everything!

We got to the hotel and we were all feeing very tired… and confused a little by what time it was. We took a walk and went out to lunch/dinner and then came back to the hotel and took a well needed rest.

The next morning we went down to breakfast then headed out to the beach! I don’t recall ever going to a volcanic sand beach, so seeing the black sand was a bit different for me! Nevertheless, the sun was warm and the smell of the ocean, relaxing, so we spent the day laying like lizards soaking up the sun.

Out to experience more of this Spanish Island so I can fill you up on the latest!

Hasta luego!