Just Like MAGIC... LOVE 2009!!

What an experience.. What a New Year's celebration!

As I stepped outside after a wonderful dinner party with my new friends... Just like magic, like a dream, and something I had never seen - flakes of snow were falling from the black Venice sky. "OMG, IS THAT SNOW?" was all I could exclaim.

Here are the pictures from a fantastic dinner...

We walked the frosty, beautiful streets of Venice to reach San Marco Square for the party and fireworks... I was like a child in a candy store! I felt so new and alive when we arrived... the snow, the atmosphere, the amazing surroundings, the people, the passion... and probably all the Spritz, Vino and Champagne... *ahem*

I was alone, not literally, but I felt like the whole night was mine, it was there for me... Venice can be a sad place to live at times, and the last month has been a bit of a struggle for me, just in the sense of feeling homesick, having all the festivities going on, happy people everywhere and feeling so alone in this city. It was like a miracle that Rina had invited me along to her New Year's party, knowing that Leo had to work and I was going to be alone for the night... the girls and guys I were with were so welcoming, so much fun, I felt as though I had known them forever! 

The theme was "LOVE 2009".

This is the write up - 

LOVE 2009 - START A NEW YEAR KISSING IN VENICE

On the 31st of December, Love, the new Venetian way of celebrating

New Year, returns to San Marco Square, ready to set the heart of

the city beating on one of the most important nights of the year.

Once again, San Marco Square will host the New Year celebrations

that will culminate in a vast, communal kiss between over 60,000

people. One unanimous kiss to send a message of love, peace and

brotherhood to the world. This is the simple but profound gesture, that

will welcome in the New Year at an event that is destined to become

the focus of media attention and a worldwide symbol of goodwill as

well as a very special memory for both the city and all those who will

be there to enjoy this new, unforgettable night in Venice.

Then the snow, the fireworks... all of it... I couldn't stop smiling and crying at the same time all night- there was a magic in the air, something about the unity in the Square was enchanted... I was overwhelmed and so happy... To dance in the middle of S. Marco Square with a champagne in my hand, on the icy ground and with the snow falling all around me was incredible. 

To watch the famous words of Andy Warhol (who happens to be one of my biggest art inspirations!) beam across the lit up stage screens in the piazza with disco music blaring, the words "LOVE 2009" Flashing across the screens between artwork and quotes and not even feeling the cold because I was dancing so hard was unreal... I could definitely put New Year's Eve 2008 up there with the time of my life! I will definitely be loving 2009...

I really do live for the future, because when I'm eating a box of candy, I can't wait to taste the last piece. ~ Andy Warhol