Not just another football game

Loud bangs and fireworks lighting up the sky! Our first new year in Brazil, Pelotas, to be exact, could have been just another exciting football match if we spent it just among the three of us.

I remember one night during our first few days here almost two years ago, my daughter and I took cover upon hearing a series of very loud bangs while waiting for my husband to return from work. Stressed and fearful during those times, I didn’t think of anything other than guns being fired randomly by crazy fellows in the neighborhood. But it turned out to be just a celebration by and for a winning local football team and people were simply overjoyed.

Last new year, the bangs were as loud yet I had one of the most tranquil new years in my whole life.