Still Celebrating?

New Year's Reveler, Puerta del Sol, Madrid, Spain

Back in the early Naughties (2000's), we spent Christmas and New Year's in Spain.  It was fun to be in a new place experiencing old traditions in different ways.  New Year's Eve was definitely different than what we had known or expected.

We heard about the fun to be had at Puerta del Sol, in the heart of Madrid.  We figured it was going to be like Times Square, but in Spanish.

First of all, there was no countdown, at least not formally.  When midnight passed, no one seemed to notice.  We felt let down.

Basically, the Spaniards had been celebrating for so long that when the clock struck midnight they were too drunk to notice.  At around 12:15 am, they realized they were in the new year and the crowd went wild.  Madrid kept partying well into New Year's Day.  What the Spaniards lacked in punctuality they made up for with enthusiasm.

We feel that the young man in this photo captured the entire spirit of that night.

Going Underground

Tunnel, Madrid, Spain

This road and tunnel are located near the site where the Inquisition began in Spain.  

While likely unintentional, the arrow in the street can be seen as a metaphor for the Jewish Conversos (aka Marranos) who remained in Spain after 1492.  To remain in Spain, these Jews assumed Christian identities, but did their best to remain Jewish secretly.

The Spanish Inquisition lasted over 350 years (from 1478 to 1834) and it wasn't until 1968 that the decree expelling Jews was rescinded.

Palacio Real de Madrid

Royal Palace, Madrid, Spain
Palacio Real de Madrid is the official residence of the King of Spain, although King Juan Carlos and the royal family actually reside at smaller palaces in the outskirts of Madrid.

This picture was taken in the afternoon of a cold and wet December day. The light, the wind, and the leftover rain just seem to add to the palace's grandeur.