It's beginning to look a lot like New Years

Happy 2008! After setting off home made fireworks in the street at midnight we went inside and began to enjoy the traditional table, endless toasting and door-to-door congratulating. The New Years process begins at 12 a.m. and goes on until at least January 6th (Christmas day). After visiting more than 45 houses at my current site, I'll be making rounds to my PST host family within the next week.

These were beautiful and less intimidating than the fireworks that sounded like rockets being set off on our porch.

To your health, the health of your family, to a glad year and all the best.

The dish on your left is dolma (cabbage and grape leaf rolls), in the center on the top of the pig thigh is blinchik (fried crepe beef wraps). There's your standard vodka, juice, cold meat tray and salads.

Toast, drink, eat and repeat. Over and over. With everyone you know.

If they came to your house you're expected to go to theirs. The table will be nearly identical.