This was not a reference to a bomb explosion… relax, people! :]
This was in fact a reference to two things… although both ironically similar to a bomb, well, explosively speaking at least;
a) fireworks
and
b) firecrackers.
Both of which I encountered in a single New Years Eve celebration in Berlin.
You may often [or not] hear the expression “it was like war”. Well, let me tell you something; if you’re not one of those lucky 1,000,000 people who make it onto the two kilometre ‘Party Mile’ before they close the entrances, you’ll feel like you’re on a European warfront. Apart from the booming of the midnight fireworks (as well as unofficial, and unscheduled firework demonstrations throughout the night), there was a cacophony of bangs surrounding us for the duration of the evening. Firecrackers, as well as the loud smashing of glass bottles (not to mention the “duck or you’ll be sprayed with shatters of glass” dance) led us to hitching ride in a taxi back to my host dad’s apartment a little after one in the morning.
Oh the joys of exchange. ;]
I’m telling you now… I certainly won’t forget my most recent, and [unfortunately] last, trip to Berlin.
Highlights:
- Cheese fondue before heading into the city for New Years.
- Roncalli Circus, and seeing german actor Christoph Waltz in the flesh
- Seeing Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in the Berlin Philharmonic
- Having Elton’s Your Song sung to me by a drunk german
- Spending an hour in Zara
- Watching the musical Tanz der Vampire (Dance of the Vampires) in German.
- Viewing a visually erotic cabaret called Wunderkammer performed by a Brisbane acrobatic troupe in Berlin’s beloved Chamaeleon Theater
Here’s a few pictures… I had a major fascination with the Berliner Dom on this trip…. fascination, not a fetish.
Enjoy. 
A highly excited Ryan
x
