Happy New Year!

It really is just another day. But it just happens to be a day off work and a day with nice fireworks. In Kaohsiung, the new year celebration was at the newly constructed "Dream Mall", the largest mall in Taiwan that opened about a year ago on some reclaimed industrial land. Reputedly 200,000 people showed up to the event, but I just heard that number from a single other person who could totally have been making it up. More pictures after the break!

A three-minute fireworks show blasted away from the top of the Dream Mall after the countdown. The crowd was not lacking in cheers, cameras, and general excitement while the announcer on stage was wildly screaming about what a crazy year 2009 is going to be (watch for the World Games in Kaohsiung!). Happy New Year!

The mall's entire lot is filled to the brim with people. I wouldn't be too surprised if the number really is 200,000 or higher. From here the ferris wheel known as the "Eye of Kaohsiung" can be seen. There's actually a whole amusement park on the roof of the mall, to which I must one day return to visit.

It just isn't a Taiwanese crowd at night without a market. Amidst the hoards of people here to watch the show is a row of vendors selling glow sticks, coffee, and various snacks. I really wouldn't want to walk through a crowd like that with a hot cup of coffee.

A giant Christmas tree at the entrance of the mall exclaims "Open Xmas" and "Happy New Year". I have never seen a single reference to the full word "Christmas" posted anywhere in the city save for perhaps the few churches. Perhaps in another 991 years we really would call and pronounce it "X-mas" and a giant robotic Santa will judge everyone to be naughty.

It also isn't a Taiwanese event without cute images (in this case, giant balloons) of various random cartoon mascots. The blue guy on the right is one of the mascots for the 2009 Kaohsiung World Games and the yellow guy with a rainbow on his head is the mascot for 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan. I'm not sure who the rest of them are.

Finally, another frame from the fireworks show. Happy new year!