Remember Remember the 5th of November

Well, I might have missed Fourth of July for the second year running. However, I certainly didn't miss firework this year! New Zealand(along with many former British territories) celebrates Guy Fawkes day. While I had heard of Guy Fawkes, and of course the  "Remember remember the 5th of November" rhyme, it never really registered as a day to celebrate.

Unfortunately Friday the 5th dawned cold, wet and miserably raining/downpouring; fireworks were postponed until the next night.
Thankfully, Saturday night was beautiful. Still a touch chilly,  but a clear wonderful night to be outside. The fireworks were shot off of New Brighton Pier. As with any Fourth of July fireworks show, we had to park eons away, and then walk to the beach. I love these walks; you get to feel the energy of the crowd, the excitement buzzing off the younger children, the teenagers who are way-to-cool-to-be-excited-for-these-stuff(but secretly can't wait),  the older couples sharing a secret smile as they slowly walk, hand and hand down the road, the lines at the food vendors, the glittery lights of carnival rides. Mmm, you can almost taste the happiness and  sense of fun in the air.

We wander down the beach until we spotted a group of people from dance, and then it was just a short wait until the fireworks started! The fireworks were shot off of the pier, and at one dramatic point, buoys out in the ocean. The fireworks were brilliant, bursting right over our heads so that it felt like it was literally raining glittery on top of us. But the best part was listening to all of the kids around us squeal and laugh at the particularly big bangs. These were the noises of pure joy, it was the expression of celebration from the hundreds of people on beach, all condensed down to simplicity of a child's laughter.

I couldn't help but get a little nostalgic; My final week here in New Zealand, sitting amongst amazing friends, looking back over how much I've done, how many unforgettable people I have met.  I remember packing/panicking right before I left home way back in June. I really didn't know what I was getting myself into. I had no idea the scope of what I would learn about myself, about the world, I had no idea how close I could get to people in such a short period of time. I realized I hadn't gotten to see as much as I wanted too, but I also realized that it really doesn't matter that much in the end. I could easily be dashing across the country trying to see places like Milfords Sound before I leave, but I rather spend it with the people who have really made these past four months as amazing as they were.