lavatop journal :: how the new year's works

New Year's eve in Iceland is quite an experience due to the fact that pretty much anyone can buy fireworks and set them off pretty much anywhere, and that is pretty much what happens. Here are some pictures taken from my balcony to give you an idea of what that looks like. Pretty, but less than cavelier types would be well advised to be equipped with protective eyewear and earplugs if you feel the need to take a stroll during the evening hours. There is a one-hour time window that you can safetly venture out, that's because the nation is transfixed in front of the television, watching the annual comedy show that parodies anyone who has attained some controversy in the preceding year.

You may find it somewhat ironic to learn that the sale of fireworks is handled by the nation's volunteer rescue squads, as a fundraising project. This year, one of the squads had the misfortune of having one of their vehicles destroyed during a fireworks display when two clusters of fireworks ignited unexpectedly in the parked vehicle.