Santa Cruz de la Palma, Los Llanos, and most big villages will have a public dance to celebrate new year. In some cases, that blocks the traffic. For example, Santa Cruz’s main road along the sea front will be shutting at 10 pm. (If you need to get through, use the bypass inland.) Many people dress up – I mean really dress up, as though they were going to the opera at Covent Garden. At midnight, people traditionally eat one grape for each “boing” of the clock. If you manage all twelve on schedule, it’s supposed to bring good luck, or prosperity, or something. (It usually gives me indigestion.) People drink champagne, and every town hall on the island lets off fireworks.
We’ll be partying at home, and enjoying the fireworks from the balcony.
I hope 2011 brings all my readers whatever they most wish for. It should bring my first e-book to market – a guide to the Roque de Los Muchachos observatory.
Happy New Year!
