Table of Contents
It's the New Year's Thingy!
Yup, after (mumble, mumble) years, we're finally getting organized.
The New Year's Thingy isn't a group tour, it isn't even very well organized. It is just a point on the map and word of mouth. We'll see the sites in ad hoc groups and then gather in a selected spot for the ceremonial dropping of things or fireworks or whatever is the local custom on the 31st.
The New Year's Thingy is a 'bring your friends' kind of thing. If you plan on attending, feel free to invite friends to join in. Remember, if you aren't sure you are attending, do not invite friends. Inviting your friends and then bowing out is not kosher.
The Next Destination
The Story
Way back in the 20th Century, a man by the name of Donald Steinmetz came across a book. In that book there was a story about how Goethe and Schiller and other German literati were celebrating New Year's in the city hall of Weimar, Germany in 1799. The literary stars separated themselves from the party and drank a toast to the men of the next century. Goethe then suggested drinking a toast to the men of the 21st century, 200 years in the future.
Mr. Steinmetz, who was having serious heart problems at the time, vowed that if he was still alive in 1999, he'd be in that same spot to return the toast.
Miraculously, Mr. Steinmetz's heart transplant was approved and he lived not only until 1999, but many years afterward.
Plans were discussed in 1999 but not really firmed up, just a hazy idea to meet in Weimar December 31, 1999.
Mr. Steinmetz came west from Ukraine (with wine!). Erik Steinmetz came south from Norway and Christopher Nordling came the shortest distance, a train ride from Prague.
The rendezvous seemed so unlikely and so enjoyable, we decided to do it again the following year.
The rest is, well, not history, but a nice story.
Past New Year's
Participants
A list of all New Year's Participants since 1999.