January 2, 2013

Feliz Ano Novo!


Anything Brazil was missing at Christmastime was made up for with our fabulous New Year's celebration.  New Year's in Brazil is a mix between 4th of July, Thanksgiving and New Year's in the U.S.  We were lucky enough to spend the New Year on the beach in Itapema and while I missed the cold weather on Christmas, ringing in the New Year with family and friends on the beach is WAY better than shivering to death in a tiny New Year's dress in the line of some club.  New Year's in Brazil is a lot more of a celebration than it is in the U.S. with possibly Time's Square itself as an exception.  There is of course a constant thunder of booming fireworks for the entire day that I could probably do without, but the superstitions and traditions were great. 

Everyone dresses in white (or some other symbolic color that represents what you want for the New Year.)  White brings happiness, peace, and joy, blue brings health, yellow brings prosperity, etc...  We went with white with yellow undergarments!  We had a big dinner of pork, rice, potato salad, and lots and lots of fruit with Fernando's parents, cousins, and aunt and uncle.  You are supposed to eat 7 different types of fruit for luck, so I gorged myself on watermelon, grapes, kiwi, canteloupe, peaches, plums, and pineapple.  After dinner we all made our way to the beach to watch fireworks and drink champagne.  The good thing about dangerous fireworks not being illegal here to the public is that anyone can put on a pretty spectacular fireworks show with some money.  All up and down the beach there were hundreds of fireworks and thousands of people celebrating.  At midnight everyone celebrated and popped their champagne bottles and jumped over 7 waves for more good luck. 







 So with all of this luck, happiness, peace, joy and prosperity that the New Year will bring, I think we are headed to have a much better 2013!  I resolve to find a job here in Brazil, live healthily, drink less (giving up alcohol for lent), and make 2013 a year that blows any other out of the water. 

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