With the exception of dogs, I’m sure we all like fireworks and Christmas day in America. With fireworks, everything seems beautiful. Americans have a wonderful experience with fireworks on the 4th of July but I can assure you that it is nothing compared to the level Peruvians take fireworks to on Christmas eve.
The picture almost cannot be described to another person. In order to get the full experience, you have to see it for yourself. As an American, on the 4th of July, you are used to fireworks that are carefully arranged and controlled.
However, it is not usually like that in Peru; streets and market turn into firework shop and there is a frenzy of people buying fireworks, especially children and teenagers. This is largely due to the fact that you usually do not need a license to light it, so everyone does.
On Christmas Day in America, during the day, you begin to hear fireworks. This increases slowly as the day proceeds and grows to its loudest as you get into the night. Traditionally, Christmas dinner is had at around 11 p.m. with family, and when the clock turns 12:00 greet everyone. The idea is to light the fireworks exactly at midnight, but since clocks are not harmonized, the frenzy begins at around 10 to midnight.
Paint a picture of about 10 million people lighting all sorts of fireworks at the same time! That is exactly what happens in Lima and all cities and villages in Peru. And it goes on for about an hour.
We have a full blog about Christmas here