This New Year celebration was very different from all the other New Year celebrations. I met 2008 in Canada where Christmas is far more advanced holiday than a New Year as opposed to Ukraine where I came from.

New Year for all Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian people is mostly a family event. When the clock strikes 12 you feel unbeliveable unity with the whole nation. A huge amount of people meet the new year on the main squares of the capital cities. This is similar to New York celebration but not quite. The main difference is that in Ukraine New Year kicks off the seuqence of holidays that last at least two weeks during which the whole country is literaly paralyzed. You hardly find people on the streets - everyone is drinking somewhere in the warm place with his family and friends. It is really amazing how men understand and support each other during these holidays.  

Another difference is that Ded Moroz brings presents to all kids during the New Year celebration night. He is a european guy that looks exactly like Santa and does exactly the same job. However as opposed to Santa, who spends the most of his time on the North pole with reindeers, european Ded Moroz lives on the North pole with his smoking hot grand daughter Snegurochka.

Now where was I? Oh, right. Canadian New Year is totally different. There's no firetree on the main city square, no countdown, nothing. Just an ordinary night like the two before or after. The only difference is hidden inside clubs. People buy tickets to the night clubs to dance, drink shapmagne, talk and have some fun. Some prefere to meet the New Year at the ski resort (like my landlord).

Ths New Year I celebrated at the Telus World of Science. I paid $200 for the admission ticket 'cuz all cheaper tickets had been already sold out. It was the first time in the last 4 years that this venue welcomed the N.Y. party.

Party was nice. Hip-Hop, R&B, Electro and House did their job. A free glass of shampagne to meet the New Year was also nice.

To summarize my impressions of the party I'd say that family N.Y. celebration is far closer to the body as yet.