¡La Loca Nochevieja! - a.k.a. Crazy New Years

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I decided to stay in Madrid for New Years. I had heard that Madrid has notoriously crazy parties that night but I was not prepared for what was about to unfold that night. First let me start with the day before, December 30.

At this time Molly and Brian had made it from Switzerland to Madrid to spend the next three days with me. That night we went out to dinner downtown, not to late, around 9 typical for Spainiards. By the time we finished around 11:30, the entire downtown plaza was filled with people drinking, singing, yelling and just hanging around. We knew that this was the place for the New Years celebration but we were all terribly confused. The first thing we did was check our watches to make sure we had the right date. After trying to make our way through the crowd with little luck, we decided to stop and just enjoy the craziness. For those of you that don't know, (which may be most of you,) the tradition in Spain is too eat one grape at every stroke of the clock tower at midnight. After asking a few locals we find out there is a "practice run" with the grapes at 12 midnight. As we panned through the crowd, everyone around us had grapes, party hats and beer cans in their hands. Once again we all checked out watches because we could not believe what we were seeing. After the stroke of midnight we were finally able to make it through the crowd and back home. At least now we knew what to expect tomorrow night.

The next night we started early. We met up at Seara's house for dinner and then barely made it to the downtown plaza in time for the grapes. This time there were police and barricades, a foretelling sign that tonight was the right night. Braced with our Champaign and grapes we waited for the stroke of midnight. At each stroke we shoved a grape into our mouth, and if anyone has ever played Chubby Bunny or the like, you know it is not an easy task eating that much food so quickly. Everything went smoothly but the night was not over. The second half was just about to begin.

Another tradition on New Years is to go to a discoteca and spend all night there until they close at 6 or 7 in the morning. For 40 euros, you can dance all night, open-bar all night, and free party favors and tapas, a good deal if you ask me. Around 1 a.m. we made it to the club and did not leave until 6:30. We were absolutely exhausted but all agreed that this was one of the most exciting and tiring New Years celebrations any of us had endured.

Brian and Molly left early on the morning of the 2nd. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed seeing them once again. I am glad that I was able to save them a couple bucks by letting them crash on my floor. Hostals in Madrid can be a little pricey especially that time of the year. Just when I thought things were settling down after the Holidays, school picked up again and Now I am studying for finals. A finals update will come when I am done studying, as for now I must get back to the books.

Patton