Countdown to 2010 - Part V

Fireworks in Germany - take your life in your hands and venture out on the streets and bridges - or watch horrified and amazed from your window or balcony as people on the street hurl fireworks at each other, chuck them into drains or under parked cars.  Anyone from the UK will be utterly amazed - there's no such thing as a firework code here - and even the most sane German will laugh in your face if you try and explain it to them.  Fireworks are for throwing, or lighting and watching from a distance of 30cm or less.  In a kind of mad, anarchic way it's quite a liberating night, you can pretty much get away with anything and no one will stop you, so out on the streets mayhem ensues and everyone has a great time.  The best places to go for the fireworks are the bridges, where you can not only watch the big displays, you can also watch the locals going crazy with rockets and roman candles.  Before you head out to the streets with your bangers and a bottle - eat a traditional New Years' meal of Raclette.  This is basically a cheese with everything kind of dish - but you use a special raclette grill which has little grill dishes for everyone at the table.  You put some sausage, potato or veggies on the little dish, cover it with a slice of Raclette cheese, then put it on the grill to cook.  It's a little like fondue - with grill dishes instead of sticks.
Happy New Year Readers and see you in 2010.