Where I’ll be When the [Year] World Ends

Technically I don’t put any stock in the much-publicized story that the world might end as you read this. As I type, it’s already 21 December in places like Australia and my friends there seem very much alive and well. Also, as what I’m about to tell you addresses New Year’s Eve and the like — it’s unlikely I’d still be around for it should the world, actually, end or drastically change on 21 December.

SEMANTICS! I like my title.

So, where am I saying “hello and goodbye” on 31 December? Hogmanay, in Edinburgh, Scotland!!!!!!!!I really thought that for 2013 I wouldn’t be able to beat my Silvester in Berlin celebration of 2012 but a fun thing happens when you have low expectations; you get invited to do the one thing you’ve always thought would be really, truly blow-out cool: don some tartan and kiss a handsome Scotsman when the clock strikes 12….

Right, well, that isn’t actually in the agenda I’ve been given. But a girl can dream!

What the heck is a Hogmanay? What does Hogmanay in Edinburgh entail? (I’m a little scared excited to know, myself.)

The word is simply what the Scots call the last day of the year. However, it’s also the name of the largest street party and event to take place in Edinburgh. Or even in all of Scotland. Which says a lot, because Edinburgh is actually a festival city. They throw a lot of parties throughout the year!

I’ll be joining 20 of my blogging friends and a whole hella bunch of Scottish people and revelers from all over the world to take part in the weekend-long debauchery party.

What does this blowout actually entail? Well, I’ve been told it includes…

• a stay at the APEX Hotel
• Torchlight Procession
• Calton Hill for Son et Lumière
• Candlelit Concert in St Giles’ Cathedral
• Concert in the Gardens
• Street Party
• Keilidh
• Dogmanay
• Triathlon
• Loony Dook
• Your Lucky Day
• Big Bang
• The Cult of Fortuna
• a few press conferences
• a few dinners
• pub crawls (BEER!)
• very little sleep
• and, apparently, no kissing 🙁

AND…then, a tour with Haggis Adventures (which includes a search for the Loch Ness monster!!!!!)

AND, then a trip to THE St. Andrews.

Um, are you as exhausted reading that as I am exhausted thinking about it? I’m reminded of the Hunter S. Thompson quote I love so much:

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!””

I’m looking forward to finding out what a Loony Dook is!

I also really geek out over history; in particular English, Scottish and Irish history. Must be the American in me! I’ve learned a lot about England in 2012 but I still have Scotland and Ireland to tick off my lists. So this will be my chance to check off a second from my list of three.

Want to learn with me? Follow along everywhere on the internet that accepts hashtags; which, let’s face it – is everywhere now. Just search for the term #Blogmanay You can stalk my Instagram account, my tweets and my FB fan page for starters.

When you’re keeping an eye on the insanity fun, don’t miss your chance to win a trip of your own for 2013/14 NYE. See, the Scottish are generous people. (We’ve learned something already!)
X

All photographs in this post are courtesy Edinburgh Hogmanay Press Office.
(You know, since I haven’t been there to take my own, YET! *wink*)