A small rock in the Atlantic: New Year on La Palma

New Year fireworks in Santa Cruz de la Palma, 2009

The Spanish celebrate New Year in a big way. A lot of people go out for an expensive meal wearing evening dress - the the sort of thing I associate with Glyndebourne Opera. Most restaurants offer a special menu, and you have to book well in advance.

This year, large family parties were back in fashion, because they're cheaper. I've usually gone to a family party, but this year we went "parted the year" (as they say in Spanish) with friends in Garafía.

There's an old superstition that if you manage to eat one grape for each of the 12 "boings" at midnight, it'll bring you good luck in the coming year. That's why grapes suddenly got very expensive in the last few days, and yes, restaurants provide you with exactly 12 grapes for midnight, plus a glass of champagne. (I didn't bother with grapes, myself. I'm not superstitious, and I'm trying to get into the habit of eating more slowly.)

At midnight, they have fireworks, which, of course, we couldn't see any from the wilds of Garafía. Then the live music starts in the Plaza España, and the dancing goes on until morning. I'm afraid I missed that, because we both have heavy colds and just wanted to sleep.

And may 2010 bring you whatever you most wish for. In my case, an un-bunged nose, for starters.

Labels: fiestas, New year, Santa Cruz de la Palma