So much of any year is flammable. . .*
What we have learned since about 4 p.m. yesterday is that Stuttgarters really like their (self-administered) pyrotechnic devices on New Year’s Eve.
Sitting at home, the noise was terrific, particularly from about 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Venturing downtown this foggy afternoon, I was a little surprised to see everything — or anything — still standing.
The ground was littered with fireworks debris and broken Sekt bottles, but only this Konigstrasse shelter showed any real damage.
We went inside the Alte Schloss (Old Palace) courtyard for the first time during the Christmas season, and I admired the trees on the columns and star lights.
Have a happy 2016!
*From “Burning the Old Year” by Naomi Shihab Nye.
enclos*ure 