Ringing in the New Year like Spaniards...or like tourists in Madrid

New Years in Madrid consists of a large mass of bodies that convenes in the Puerta del Sol in the city’s Centro area. If you happen to be within the midst of this ocean of people, you might see flashes of blue light-up sun glasses, the glow of rainbow jedi swords, and the reflection of these on the metallic multi-colored wig of the person standing in front of you. You will struggle to see over huge afro-wigs or bright orange Mohawks, all turned toward the tiny clock in the center of the plaza. Everyone around you will be holding in one hand, a little cup or bag of 12 grapes, to be eaten at the appropriate moment, in the other they will have a gargantuan plastic cup of champagne or beer (they don’t allow cans or bottles into the plaza). This may be your second, or third, time celebrating the New Year. You may have celebrated last night with the rest of the locals, or maybe at 12pm in the afternoon earlier that day, or maybe you have been celebrating the whole time, non-stop!
When the clock finally strikes twelve, you will hear 12 chimes, and after each you pop a grape into your mouth and wish for good luck in the new year. Or, if you’re like us, you will not hear the first 6 chimes and you’ll just start stuffing the grapes in your mouth 2 at a time. After this ritual is performed there is a great cheer, complete with confetti, fireworks, and a shower of grapes and champagne. If you’re lucky, you won’t be pushed to the ground by the river of Spaniards trying to leave the plaza after all is said and done.
Then you might buy a couple beers for a euro a pop from a little Chinese man selling them from a bag on the street and make your way over to the drum circle that has formed in the little plaza a couple blocks away. And maybe, if you’re like Kent, a team of 3 guys might surround you and start dancing weirdly; one of them shaking your pants legs while the other tries to steal your wallet from your back pocket. But you will breathe a sigh of relief because your wallet is in your front pocket and the fools ran off with your map of the city. But, you will be reminded to watch your back…and your front.