Happy New Year!
El Fotógrafo, El Hijo and I are back in Lima after spending two weeks in the United States.
We arrived in time to celebrate the new year Peruvian-style with El Filosofo, his family and our friends.
A big dinner, fireworks (correction: explosives) in the park, champagne, 12 grapes a midnight. A six-foot-high stuffed doll symbolizing the passing year was burned in the street. As the flames leaped and crackled, a lone security guard putted by on his motorcycle and waved. Burning life-size effigies in public spaces is evidently okay in Peru.
Some of us wore yellow underwear for good luck (see photo above of typical stall selling New Year’s underwear). My niece and her friends chose red panties (for love).
Flocks of partiers strolled by the house carrying suitcases (to ensure travel in the new year).
On New Year’s day, we walked with Lola to the Malecon, which was thronged with people. Parque de Amor was filled with couples rolling about on the grass.
We spotted some teenagers wearing baggy gangsta pants, which drooped low enough for a glimpse of yellow boxer shorts.
Feliz Año Nuevo, everyone!
Barbara
I am an American writer who lived in Lima for seven years (2007-2014), where I covered Andean traditions, melting glaciers and daily life in the capital for Miami Herald, MSNBC and Huffington Post. I now live and work in northern Florida where I champion climate change advocacy and compassionate, affordable eldercare.
3 Comments
Ward Welvaert
Happy New Year and welcome back to Peru! Hope you enjoyed your vacation 🙂
Barb
Thanks, Ward. Felix Ano Nuevo!
Yes, we enjoyed the trip “abroad.” El Fotografo and I were ecstatic to be able to drive in a straight line, after months of zig-zagging in Lima streets.
Miguel
Yellow is certainly the color for new year in Peru. I used to do that before, but I don’t believe in superstitions anymore 🙂