Baldo by Hector D. Cantú and Carlos Castellanos for December 31, 2024

Bad racial stereotypes to teach a child!

Not hilarious?

In other words, pretty much the same things a lot of black people and white people do.

OK, now that I know who’s shooting off those dumb fireworks, I’m calling the tip line.

In Ecuador, the neighbors need only the slightest excuse to set off fireworks. Reminds me of being in a war zone! New Year’s is the penultimate exercise in pyrotechnic displays and self-immolation.

Fire is not solely confined to incendiary devices. Large and small bonfires in the middle of the street and the burning of paper-mâché effigies – some 2 meters tall add to the neighbor’s inclinations to arson.

Noisy! Smokey! Riotous! Raucous! But oh, what great fun!!

¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

Can I substitute tequila for the grapes, just salt the rim, and sip it until midnight? There’s this black label anejo I enjoy.

When I was learning Spanish in grade school in California, we learned a story called Luis y las uvas de felicidad. In the tradition described there, you ate the 12 grapes as the chock chimed midnight, and if you consumed all 12, it meant good luck for the following year. Thing is, the people around you were allowed to try and throw your concentration off or otherwise distract you from finishing the task. It was a good story, but I don’t know where in the world people do that particular one.

It’s the usual thing to do….

Well my friends were all Latina and their families would bring up the cherry bombs and M-80s from Mexico and the boys would blow them off. Since we were always babysitting, my best friend and I would just talk on the phone about those babosos and cute boys at school till midnight.

Some fire their AR-15s and AK-47s.

HIPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We also wear different colored underwear!Color depends on what you want good fortune in. And another my mom told me is at midnight, walk around the block with an empty piece of luggage. Been to scared to do try that one!

I think Graci is about to revive or formulate a tradition or two. If there is food involved, I’m in of course.

Let’s hope Gracie will never experience the last part.