Day 23 - Sea Day - Happy New Year

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This New Year's Eve we spent on ship about half a mile east of Copacabana Beach. We weren't alone, from my count there must have been another six or seven cruise ships doing exactly the same thing, just sitting, patiently waiting for the Brazilian's to do their thing.

At midnight it began. The entire two and a half mile beech lit up with fireworks. It was relentless, colorful shells choreographed to perfection. Rockets ascended while others burst creating colorful overlapping rosettes with the beech, buildings, Rio, mountains and Christ the Redeemer as the backdrop. The early Brazilian summer cooperated. In twelve short minutes it all fell silent with only memories and a cloud of smoke indicating something significant once existed.

Good bye 2023. Thank you for the memories now part of times gone past. Hello 2024. Looking forward to all you have to offer, the good and the not so good. It takes both to make life meaningful. Experiencing both is how we gain understanding and learn to help others. That is probably why we are here, otherwise our existence is nothing more than brilliant fireworks quickly fading into the night.

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