"What did you do for New Years!", a common question that I just don't really know how to answer.I was with my darling friend Nina! We dressed up crazy and got pumped up to Rihanna and Teenage Dream ( We'll be young forever) and headed to the Piazza with the promise of Fireworks, we got a lot more than we bargained for.
As we walked along, people set off loud fire works with limited color or fire even, so they just sounded like gunshots or bombs chasing us. (Insert Mafia jokes here)
When we arrived to the Piazza that is my favorite place in Bologna, behind the Dazzling statue of Neptune, we saw what appeared to be a large green statue. At first I thought of GODZILLA. But on further inspection, a frog. We came nearer to the gigantic statue ( made of wood and covered with paper) of in fact A FROG.
A prince, no doubt.
We were overheard laughing and talking about the frog loudly. ("I just dont understand why there is a giant godzilla in the Piazza!") by some American girls from Belgium ( spending the holidays in Bologna) and they assured us that the Frog was made of wood and would burn down at Midnight. ("Why would Italy burn a giant frog? Another argument with the French?" I wondered aloud to Nina, who's now living in Corsica)
So does Italy Hate the French?
And as for that "burning" business, I would have to see it to believe it.
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS
CONSTRUCTION
FULL STATURE
and as midnight struck,
QUATRO
TRE
TWO
ONE
HAPPY NEW YEAR, BUON ANNO!
And a sparkler set off in the top of the Ranocchio's(frog) crown and HE BURNED
As fireworks blasted behind us and then to the left and then even a few to the right. To make sure everyone can see something, if not the giant Frog, then at least some fireworks as the band plays on into the night and the drinking and partying begins....in true Italian fashion.
And 5 minutes later, we're in scorching heat and Firefighters are swarming near the frog, to extinguish the fire when it gets to the remains.
BUON ANNO, here are some great photos.
DO YOU HAVE A WEIRDER NEW YEARS STORY?
they were from Bulgaria. They were working for the peace corps there.
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