Firecracker frenzy on New Year's Eve

It's almost 3 in the morning here in Reykjavik and people have not yet recovered from the fireworks frenzy. I still see occasional flashes of man-made stars lighting up the dark Nordic sky. New Year's Eve has just passed and if you were to follow Chinese belief, then all evil spirits have been chased out of Iceland.

I find it oddly comforting, this Icelandic version of New Year. One more familiar note in an unfamiliar country. I suppose that Icelanders do not light fireworks because they have taken on the Chinese tradition of making sure bad omens and spirits are scared off by all the noise. There is still a lot of banging going on here in Reyjkavik but unlike the Philippines where the value of firecrackers is directly proportional to its loudness, Icelanders cherish more the display of firecracker colors. The flashier, the better. Sadly, the flashier firecracker is more often the more expensive one. Judging by this year's fireworks display, there is no financial crisis here in Iceland and if by happenstance firecrackers drive out evil spirits too, the better for the country.

I just hope it works.