Happy New Year!

I don't think I've ever had a New Years quite like this one. Normally, I spend New Year's Eve at home with family, playing games, watching movies, and generally just hanging out. At midnight we usually clink glasses filled with something fizzy and talk about what we hope will happen this year.

When 2013 hit:

I was in a boat on Bangkok River watching some truly amazing fireworks.

The boat thing wasn't supposed to happen. We were actually supposed to be at a place called Asiatique, which is on Bangkok River. Timing just happened to work out. We were hanging out playing games, but around 10 pm exhaustion and apathy hit, and we couldn't decide whether or not to go or just have a quiet New Years at Rachael's apartment. We headed out for some food, and the som tam and sticky rice was enough to refuel our energy. By this time, however, it was past 11, and given that we were depending on public transportation, we had some realistic expectations of ringing in the new year on Bangkok's sky train. But the taxi we took to the first sky train stop made good time, and we made both trains (we had to change lines) just on time. Then, going down to the dock from the sky train, we made it there just a few minutes before the boat was due to leave, too. The countdown happened just as we were pulling up to the dock at Asiatique, and we stayed on the boat for the fireworks.

Then we got off and wandered around for a while, figuring there was no point in trying to get back home so soon when so many people were going to be doing the same thing. There was a concert going on, so I got my ears blasted a bit by Thai music. Quite the experience when you're short on sleep. We headed home at about 1:30, but didn't make it until almost 3. I doubt I'll ever have another New Years quite like this one.

It was strange to think of the new year arriving 15 hours before it would hit at home. But I'm excited for this year. It's going to be a good one. Happy 2013, everybody!