I was transiting through Copenhagen — just for an evening, so even though it was New Year’s Eve, I had arranged a hotel near the airport.
At passport control, a friendly immigration officer asked how long I was staying. Just the one night, I told her. Still, she said, I had to see the fireworks.
“Fireworks?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said eagerly, and in perfect English. “People set off fireworks all over to celebrate.”
“But I’m staying near the airport,” I said.
“You can see them from here!” she said. “Just be careful walking around.”
“Really?” I asked. “People can set off fireworks anywhere they want?”
“Yes!”
Even near the airport, I thought. Is that safe?
“Thanks,” I told her. “Happy new year!”
“Happy new year!”
I wasn’t planning on heading out. I’d seen fireworks before. And I didn’t have any shoes, just sandals. (Thanks, Heathrow Airport.)
But from my hotel I could hear the fireworks, so I got curious and decided to take a stroll.
And sure enough, people all over were shooting fireworks into the sky from wherever they pleased.
Here you can see a random street with a random passerby lighting up the sky:
And another street-level explosion of beauty:
Pretty amazing.
