First Night

Have you ever seen a building explode? Well, on New Year's Eve in Taipei, that is essentially what what happens. On Taipei 101, the world's second tallest building (beaten out by a building in Dubai which has yet to open), they stack an enormous amount of gun powder, explosives, and fireworks and set them off in a display that dazzles the senses.

Let me set the stage for you. You arrive to the area around Taipei 101 called New York, New York, along with about 3,000,000 other people and vie for a good viewing location to see the light show. Concerts are playing, fireworks are shooting out over the crowd, even companies are beaming ads onto 101 with their expensive laser system. On 101, the lights are designed so that it reads, "I love Taiwan," (You have to love the government of Taiwan that they can still make a political gain amidst the celebration.)

But the real show doesn't begin until 10 seconds before midnight. At this point, the entire building goes black, and with each passing second a section of the building lights up until it reaches the top where "2008" is brightly advertised and then...

...bang...

Literally, the entire night sky lights up around you. Impressive fireworks are shot off from the corners and sides of the building in a synchronized display of explosive art. As the fireworks soar over your head, you think to yourself, "So, what's the big deal about a tiny little ball dropping in Times Square?" Seriously, these people know how to ring in the New Year!

On the walk home, which took some time as there were millions of people gazing at the spectacle, we took a path that was roped off during the show. And for a good reason too- on the street were thousands of burning materials remaining from the fireworks. It was a miracle none of them went shooting off into the crowd toasting an unsuspecting bystander.

All in all, a splendid way to ring in the New Year.

So with that, we two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine. But seas between, us broad have soared since auld lang syne, Michael.