This blog continues from one posted at www.lectio-divina.org. On the left click `Reflections from Iceland` which brings you to it.

-Jan 1st. How in the world without exaggeration could I describe the fireworks display last night? I`m at a loss, really, that`s how intense and sometimes frightening it was. When we think of such events, immediately comes to mind Times Square, etc. There displays are controlled, in a specific area, and last under 30 minutes, chicken feed compared to Reykjavik. The display is city-wide, began around 6pm but suddenly ground to a halt at 10. Very curious to the unsuspecting visitor. The reason: on New Year`s Eve the state tv station puts on a year-end spoof of the year`s events or about life in general. Everyone rushes indoors to see it after which the fireworks begin precisely at 11. Then they really pick up speed in a way that is simply terrifying. At times I could feel the earth shaking under me from the sheer magnitude of all that explosive power. Not just that but countless windows were shattered and multiple fires set across the city. Someone said around 300,000 tons of explosives were set off, hard to comprehend. In yesterday`s entry I compared it to Beirut or Baghdad, an accurate comparison. The weather was exceptionally calm and clear which made for ideal conditions. En route home I drove through what appeared a thick fog, sometimes difficult to see, which turned out to be gunpowder. It blanked the entire city and suburbs, almost choking people. I also understand that hospitals and rest homes have emergency oxygen on hand for patients so they can breathe. Similarly, earlier today the news was filled with warnings for elderly people and those with respiratory problems to take precautions against the gunpowder. Along Saebraut, the throughway which hugs the sea, I came across one of several serious car accidents: two cars full of fireworks collided causing an immense explosion. Just as I passed fire equipment, etc, were rushing to the scene. It turned out that we had 6 such accidents, some fatal, which is not uncommon. When I arrived home, the smell of gunpowder permeated my clothing and as it turned out, my apartment. I live about 5 kilometers from the city center, but that`s nothing. The display`s intensity spread throughout every corner including suburbs. It looks like I`ll have to do a thorough airing tomorrow, but it was a night to remember, that`s for sure! The next day (today) around 9 am I took a quick ride in to check out the damage: remnants of fireworks strewn all over the place plus the distinct scent of gunpowder. I understand that later today Reykjavik has special crews to sweep up the stuff.