Happy New Year! I can't believe it's 2010 (which I've taken to pronouncing as two thousand ten, following the proper pronunciation that was drilled into our heads in Grade Five Math). The year has gotten off to a great start. My cousin came to spend the last few days of a Europe trip with us, and arrived early enough on the 31st to join us for the massive street party of 80 000 people.
Hogmanay was quite the experience this year. The city seemed to have off-loaded the responsibility and planning to a private company, so there were some significant differences. Like last year we bought our tickets to the street party ahead of time, but this time rather than being convenient wristbands to wear and flash as you passed in and out of the barriers, we received large tickets that were left at one of the four entrances, and you couldn't leave and then return again. Instead of a bunch of stages with live music down the little off-shoots of Princes Street (the main street other than the Mound where the street party takes place), encompassing a range of styles like rock and celtic, there was a DJ at the West End entrance, live music down on Waverly Bridge by a rock band none of us had heard of but everyone around seemed to know, and a second DJ with provocatively dressed female dancers, so the music was a bit disappointing.
On the other hand, there was some great people watching! My cousin started it off by pointing out 'Team Neon Hat,' a group of four party-goers in similar neon-coloured tuques standing near the National Art Gallery at the foot of the Mound. We spent the next two hours spotting some the excellent and silly techniques groups had employed to try to spot each other in the crowds. Such 'teams' included:
- Team Sparkly Wigs and Santa Hats (a very conspicuous team)
- Team Patterned Wellies (not so noticeable)
- Team Super Heroes (a good one, except that we spotted two groups of them!)
- Team Black Balloon (very different, although the colour choice seems questionable as it was dark)
- Team Pink Afro and Star Sunglasses (a favourite of ours)
- Team Sparkly Berets
We hadn't thought to dress identically, but like all responsible, sober groups we did choose a spot for a meeting place in case we got separated in the massive crowds. Around twenty to midnight we fought our way train-style to a viewing spot at the base of the Mound and anxiously awaited midnight and the gorgeous fireworks display. The crowd counted down the last 30 seconds of 2009, and then the grounds of Edinburgh Castle erupted into light. The fireworks didn't disappoint. I took a couple photos, but as I was getting jostled by the celebrating crowds they're a tad blurry. I also videotaped the three-minute-long display, and the film is much more impressive than last years because I used my new camera with its microphone. Fireworks just aren't the same without the sounds of the explosions and the audience oohing and awing.
After the fireworks came the mass Auld Lang Syne, and then we started our attempt at leaving the party. That's when things got a bit scary. When I look at my photos of the street I can't believe how many people were crammed into such a small area. Edinburgh Hogmanay is not for the claustrophobic! On the way out the pushing and shoving started to intensify. It wasn't a smart idea to place a large DJ booth in the centre of a major exit point, forcing the flood of people to split into two groups in order to get out. It got to the point where you couldn't walk anymore. You just had to concentrate on lifting your feet often enough to not fall, as the crowd's movement slowly pushed you along. We made it, having had a great night with my cousin. It's certainly a memorable way to welcome in the new year, but I think we might stay in next year and watch from our front window or Grassmarket. It might be a bit safer. It should certainly be warmer!
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