I labeled this post as part 1 because it is currently 2:05pm in the afternoon (kello on viisi yli kaksi) and it is rather early to tell you what is going on for New Years Eve. Traditionally on my previous visits, New Years Eve has been pretty laid back, drinking cider all day and celebrating the changing of the New Year with fireworks. The first year we shot off rocket fireworks in Matti’s front yard and two years ago we went downtown with TONS of people and shot off fireworks in the biggest understated fire hazard manner in parking lots surrounded by cars, not the best idea but no harm done (that we know of).
In the United States, ever since I was a kid, New Years Day (or Eve, can’t remember when the meal typically is) is celebrated with a meal of green veggies, usually greens in my home (for money in the new year), black eyed peas (for luck) and something for health, really can’t remember that either. I have a funny feeling my mom might comment on this point and correct my errors 
In Finland there is no special meal or anything but rather just lots of drinking and fireworks. In the U.S. fireworks are the symbol of 4th of July but starting about a week ago, grocery stores set out their fireworks display (mostly rockets and things that exploded in the air) and a few days ago we started hearing the noises of kids in the neighborhood getting some early practice…
We’re spending part of New Year’s Eve at home and the other with a couple groups of friends just a few blocks outside of downtown. Nothing wild planned (never been the type) but I’ll have my camera with me for any events that might take place or if we should venture downtown to capture the awe and stupidity of New Years festivities. At the very least I’ll take a photo or two. Rovaniemi was showered with some snow yesterday (FINALLY!) so things are looking rather pretty and white. And today we saw the sun (well, the horizon of the sun) for the first time in like 4 days (I’m on the arctic circle so it is expected- though you never really get used to it)!! The temperature is finally starting to fall here from the unusually warm temperatures of the past few weeks- it’s around 23F degrees right now and slowly falling into the teens. It’s NOTHING like my first new years in Rovaniemi when I felt every muscle and bone in my body freezing from -20F weather. I think, without realizing it at the time, my body was preparing for the future years I would spend in Minneapolis which is currently getting a big taste of snow and semi cold weather.
Stay tuned for more later in the day!
-Angela
Leave a comment
Comments feed for this article