Welcome 2013!

Every family has them.

You know, those stories that you just can't escape from hearing year after year. Typically the story that as you listen to its millionth telling, this time most likely to near strangers, you can't help but roll your eyes.

In my family we have more than our fair share of "famous stories." but like Disney, we have a vault and well, they've been locked up never to return. There are other stories though, the ones that are harmless in their retelling and last night I couldn't help but be reminded one that I've heard so many time that it makes up for the fact that I can't remember the actual event.

The story goes something like this-

When I was little (3 or 4), I was determined to stay up for New Years. My parents are still not sure what I thought was going to happen at midnight, apparently I had some idea and even at that young age, I wasn't going to miss out. Somehow I managed to stay awake. (Go figure, I can't do that now at 29!) At midnight, I ran out on the front porch with my pots, pans, and wooden spoon to wish our neighborhood a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Problem was, our neighbors were all in their houses. I was the only one out there greeting the new year. Disappointment? Confusion? Sadness? I'm going to go with yes, although again, I don't recall this 31 December disaster. Come to think of it, maybe this has permanently scared me when it comes to New Years? I mean, it's really just another day...but I digress.

Last night I witnessed what I think 4 year old Katie was searching for that New Years Eve 1980-something. Before the clock even got close to midnight explosions echoed through the alleys and off the hills,  smoke filled the air, and flashes of light filled the sky.

For a culture notorious for their laid back, time doesn't really exist culture, it made me laugh to get the pre-show fireworks starting a good 10 minutes early. And we're not talking sparklers, bottle rockets, and things that explode. We're talking better than an city or amusement park display here. For a few seconds I thought that I wasn't even going to know when it was midnight (even the church bells were drowned out) but then the night sky filled up with even more fireworks and I noticed neighbors all around me gathering on their roofs, patios, and balconies.

With the sky illuminated, the air heavy with the smell of "pyrotechnics", & my apartment experiencing the occasional shake the peninsula, the next bay over, and the islands all greeted 2013. Well, I think they were celebrating out on Capri, too much smoke in the air blocked my view! I'd seen video footage from previous years but nothing, no nothing, could have prepared me for the show I saw last night.

Here's my lame attempt to bring a little bit of New Years in Monte di Procida to you, but really? Let's just plan on spending December 31, 2013 on my rooftop. I've got the pots, pans, and fireworks- you bring the earplugs!