Holding Fire

If you search on Wikipedia, that fount of all knowledge for a generation that can no longer be bothered to open a book, you will read the following: "Vyšehrad is a castle located in the Czech Republic, built in the 10th century, on a hill over the Vltava River. Situated within the castle is the Cathedral of Saint Paul and Peter, as well as the Vyšehrad cemetery, containing the remains of many famous people from Czech history." What the almighty Wiki does not tell you is that it is a bloody great place to launch firecrackers from.

New Year in Prague comes with fireworks, whether you like it or not. They started by the time that night fell, and they were still clattering away by the time we got home at two in the morning. It is stupid, dangerous, and so much fun that it should be illegal.

From the stone walls of Vyšehrad we had a view covering most of the city. The black sky was a mere canvas for the explosion of colours that blanketed the citizens of Prague, none of whom seemed to be in bed. From the far distance to the sky directly above us there were fireworks coming from all angles, and in some cases moving at all angles. My view that the man in the street should not be allowed to buy explosive devices was in no way tempered as rockets regularly bounced off nearby trees and fell spiraling to the ground in the manner of a freshly-sprayed fly.

Some of them didn't even make it that far. One especially drunk chappy was attempting to fire his arsenal from the castle wall but just seemed to send his artillery either backwards or directly into the ground. I don't normally dance in public but if you want to see me break out into freaky motion then put a lit and loose Catherine wheel near my feet. I almost dropped my beer.

I couldn't decide whether this was like one of my Chemistry lessons that had gone wrong, or one of them that had gone right. Either way it was an unforgettable experience, although thankfully I will not be reminded of it through the burns and scars that some unfortunates must have collected.

Thanks must go to political blogger Praguetory who led his boozy party crowd up the hill just in time for the fun to start. Vyšehrad was certainly the place to be last night.

I must go and clear my head with a long walk but I have already decided that for the turn of 2008 I am going to celebrate slightly differently. For sure I will go up to Vyšehrad to watch the fun. Only this time I will take some fireworks of my own.