Bringing in the New Year 2011

Another New Years Eve has come and gone. I was to go to a friend’s home in Sosua for the event but I got a cold (or the gripe as they say here in DR) so I decided to just stay home and suffer alone.

There were a lot of events happening in the Colonial Zone area. I decided to go to the little get together that the neighbors were having in the little parking lot near my office. This way I didn't have to stay out late.

I went home to rest up for a while. I had to force myself to go out. Once I’m home all comfy and cozy I hate to leave. But about 11PM made myself go to the party.

As I was walking out the door of the building where I live this giant rat ran out from the gutter. He (or maybe it was a she, I didn’t bother to check the gender) was a monster, at least 20 pounds with giant snarling teeth and a tail that was a 1/2 mile long. Really, he was a normal sized rat as rats go but when you see one it always looks bigger than it really is. I did a little jump and an ooohhh! when he startled me. He jumped too. He ran into the wall and then turned around and ran right over my foot. I was jumping, not high mind you as my body won’t do that these days but I was jumping quite exuberantly for this ole gal. Doing the old eewwhhh hand gestures as I was walking up the street and giggling to myself. To myself as no one saw it and there was no one to share the yuck with. What a yucky feeling it was too. Then I started to wonder if there was a tradition somewhere that a rat running across the feet on New Years Eve was good luck. I searched the Internet and couldn’t find anything about this so I decided to pretend that it was a good sign even thought I was pretty disgusted with the rat on my foot thought.

So, I got to the Colmado near the parking lot. Everyone was there starting out the night. I had a beer and sat with the neighbors. Midnight came and everyone hugged and kissed and turned our heads up to watch the fireworks. Then we moved on to the parking lot where they set up a stereo and had good music going.

We were all talking and dancing and having a good time. But my cold got the best of me. At about 1:30AM I had to go home and get into my own beddie-bye. I had a good time. I didn’t run into many crowds and got to hang out with my friends. I’m getting too old to go where there are tons of people partying and getting rowdy, at least in my mind I’m too old for that stuff. I got home before everyone got crazy and too drunk, which is just what I like.

New Years Eve 2010 Party

My friends at Hostal Nomadas in Colonial Zone had a little party for some friends and guests.It was nice and calm, just the way this old gal likes it. We danced, drank, ate some great snacks and barbecue and had some jello shots. At midnight the fireworks (fuegos artificiales) started and we had a great view on the third floor patio overlooking Zona Colonial.

This is a video of the fireworks with the Juan Luis Guerra song "Ojala Que Llueva Cafe En El Campo" playing in the background.

Feliz Año Nuevo to all!!!

The Blue Moon

I just read that "Once in a blue moon" is happening this New Years Eve.

The term "blue moon" refers to the second full moon in a calendar month, something that hasn't happened on a New Year's Eve for nearly 20 years, NASA says.

(from CNN)The last blue moon on New Years Eve was in 1990.

There is also to be a partial lunar eclipse but it won´t be able to be seen in the Western Hemisphere. Too bad for us on this side of the Earth.

So while your partying in the New Year look up to the skies. Listen for those wolves (or humans trying to be wild animals) howling at the moon. Also say a little prayer and thank the Creator for the beauty around us.

Happy New Year to all.

There will also be a short meteor shower on January 4 called

The Quadrantids

The peak will happen mainly during the daylight hours of the 3rd but you should still be able to see the meteors in the evening in the Northern Hemisphere. Make sure you go out and see what you can see.

Sky and Telescope Magazine
CNN