New Year = New Beginnings

It's a new year. I have always loved the New Year holiday. I love that it's a fresh start for everyone. I love that it's the one holiday celebrated around the world. And I love that my birthday is only a few weeks after so I get a double new year.

This New Year I spent in Guatemala. Since I had to work I was unable to travel to Belize or Antigua as I'd originally planned. Instead, I spent the New Year with two of my dearest friends Josh and Pinar. we really are a little gang - the three amigos - and Josh constantly reminds me that I will be breaking up the band when I leave in March. Anyway, it was very interesting being in Xela for another holiday since I've been here for Independence Day, Christmas and even the World Cup celebrations. Xela is the second largest city in Guatemala so it is usually jammed full of people from smaller villages and has days of parades, fairs, and marching bands for any special occasion, including the vast number of religious holidays.

So it was very surprising that the city was dead for New Years! Where I am from the city is shut down for New Years and street parties in downtown are ridiculous fun that usually end with some interesting stories. But here everyone stays home to ring in the new year. There literally were completely empty streets. We spent the hours leading up to midnight at an almost empty bar, but I had 3 packets of sparklers to keep me very entertained. It was a fun night with friends and another memorable way that I welcomed the New Year.