New Year's Eve

For our third new year here in NZ, we decided to finally go to Cathedral Square for the countdown. In our first new year, Rita and I were still settling here in Christchurch. At that time, we both worked until 11 in the evening, new years' eve. We just rushed home and cooked for our media noche. Right on time, 12 midnight we finished everything and started having a feast. But we didnt have enough time to run to the square and watched the countdown. We just stood outside our flat and watched the fireworks in the sky and heard the bell tolling.

Last year, we headed to the North island, had Christmas in Wellington and celebrated New Year's Eve in Palmerston North. Being a small town, we didnt really expect too much from the countdown. Overall, it was good. Their square was jampacked with people, mostly locals and everyone was in a festive mood and eagerly waiting for the clock to strike 12.

This year, we didnt plan to go anywhere. We just stayed here in Christchurch and decided to experience the New Year's Eve here. We had dinner with friends then at 10pm we already found ourselves in Cathedral square with heaps of people, this time mostly tourists.

When we came, the band was playing celtic music. Then followed by country music. An hour before 12 midnight, a singer came up on the stage and sang popular songs. Thirty minutes to 12, surprisingly, the singer started singing slow songs.. I was shocked. This is totally uncharacteristic of a countdown program. Normally, this final thirty minutes is the time you pick up the tempo. This is the right time to send everyone dancing on their feet. But nope, he decided to sing us a lullaby. And yeah, he lulled us alright. I should have known it was an omen.

Now, the most awaited moment. The countdown. Everyone was excited. Everyone was waiting for the fireworks. And there it was..we started counting from 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2..1.. woohooo!!

In the balcony of the Cathedral, a man played Aud Lang Syne with his bagpipe. We were singing along (silently) and saying happy new year (again, silently)...When he finished, the fireworks began. Streaks of red, blue, yellow lit up the sky. We were all excited and almost everyone was snapping for a good firework shot. Everyone was happily watching the display. Alas, display it was not. I was waiting for the "wow" moment, where you'd feel like the sparks will all come down on you. It didnt even elicit the familiar ohhhhs and ahhhhs that I used to hear when we watch the fireworks presentation back home. The whole shebang lasted for only one minute.

Yep, I was disappointed. And maybe some of the tourists there, as well. Tourists who came from the different sides of the world to witness the Christchurch New Year's Eve. There's nothing to witness really.

Maybe I was just expecting too much. Having seen our fireworks displays at home especially the World Pyrolympics in 2005. I must say, even the Enchanted Kingdom was much much better.

Oh well, now that I've seen it, I reckon that it would be years and years before I go and see it again.

Na-traumatize ata ako..hehehe