Bonfire Night!

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
To prove old England's overthrow.

By god's mercy he was catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.

And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!

I have always known about Guy Fawkes Day and was excited to celebrate it! From shows like Sherlock, my expectations were high. I wanted to burn a giant straw figure of Guy Fawkes, like the one from "The Empty Hearse" episode of Sherlock. I later found that those are only done in the villages, and instead Swansea will have a fireworks show. Still down for that. I tried to get a large group of people together, but the fact that it had been heavily raining all day and continued to rain a bit that night made many people decide that Guy Fawkes Day just wasn't worth it this year.  

Nonetheless, I wanted to go as this could very well be my only opportunity to experience a bonfire night. Yaren was still interested. We have an ongoing joke that when a large group of people are involved with something, it is always just the two of us left. However, Harry was also interested in going with us this time. Initially we were just planing to walk to St. Helen's (where the fireworks were) and then go back after the show was over.

But then I decided I wanted sparklers and Harry has a car to drive to Tesco and pick some up. I also needed to pick up some money and ID to buy the fireworks. When we went back to the dorm via Harry's car (which we had gotten in along the way back), James from the flat next door also decided to join. Our group was expanding.

The trip to Tesco to get fireworks turned into an opportunity to also get firewood and firestarters for a proper beach bonfire. Harry had a backpack full of beer with him to drink, but I wanted a cider for myself. Harry misunderstood my intentions and suggested I get a large box, but I told him I only wanted one.

Pear cidre to boot.

Once I had my drink for the night, it was time to get onto the best part. FIRE!!!!! I've done sparklers before as a kid on fourth of July despite the illegality of them. But with the drought in California geting worse and the fact that I am getting older and therefore less likely to recive these illegal childish delights, I haven't had them in many many years. And they are legal here so I can literally walk into a gracery store and get them from a booth in there. But...there is an age restriction. But being 20 and having a passport gets me past any age barriers.

Random people...

We were going to miss the beginning of the fireworks show since we chose to instead get sparklers and firewood. (Well...I got sparklers at least). But we did drive back and find a parking space in time to see the finale. That's the best part anyway.

Besides, people were lighting them off all night long on the beach, so there was never any shortage of fireworks. We found a nice spot on the beach and started our fire as the light rain misted us and random fireworks went off in the distance.

The beginnings of our fire.

Harry tending to the flames.

FIRE!!!

It was pretty cold, so we all huddled around the flame, drank, and chatted. It was all a very unique experience for me. A night where many people just sit around fires on the beach and hang out as fireworks go off in the distance (at least one a minute, I'd say). This would never happen in California and I couldn't really see it happening anywhere else in the states either. I felt very blessed to be able to experience a holiday different from my own, and especially to spend that holiday with new friends from the UK.

After the fire was going and we had hung out for a bit, I was ready for my sparklers. I had a lot in the pack and did wind up sharing with the others. It's always more fun with friends! :)

Pure joy right there.

Harry and I with our sparklers. We each have a glove on for safety (though in the end we really didn't need them).

I thoughouly enjoyed being a kid again with my stick of fire. Waving it around, listening to the sizzle, and just generally going against what I've been told my entire life and playing with fire. Once the first ones were out, we settled back by the flames.

Yaren with James by our fire.

Harry by the fire.

The beach. Those are some of the fireworks in the distance.

We were there for hours just talking, laughing and having a good time. People weren't on their phones, but instead brought together by the fire and general joy of the day. It is odd that we are celebrating the death of a guy who tried to overthrow parliment. But what I have gathered is that the holiday has changed since. It's now just an excuse to get together with friends, watch/light off fireworks, and make bonfires.

The closest the United States has is the fourth of July. Getting together with family and friends, barbequing, watching fireworks, and generally enjoying each other's company. Sure it's also a day to celebrate our independence (and we are so patriotic there that that will never be a lost part of the celebration), but really pretty much everyone gets the day off and it is a chance to be with the people who matter most whilst also battling crowds and complaining about people bringing their dogs to fireworks.

But I generally find the culture in the UK to be more social. Here it is normal to spend hours with your mates in a pub. That could even just be getting drinks (not necessarily a meal). There are far more societies at Swansea than clubs at Sonoma State. Although hard work is a priority, so are friends.

I feel like in the states, people get caught up in their lives and often forget what's really important in life. Sometimes you just need to take a step back from it all and remember that work will always be there, but not necessarily the people.

Me, James, and Yaren with the last sparklers.

Our fire dwindling down.

Harry took a lot of selfies with my phone. This was my personal favorite.

I enjoyed sipping cidre by a fire with friends and watching the fireworks go off all along the bay. The only scary part was when a rogue firework came our way. There were a group of people around our age lighting off big fireworks fairly close to us. One fell over and shot off, nearly hitting us. It singed Harry's ear, and James had a numbness and ringing in his hearing. But the owners of the rougue firework did run over to make sure we were all okay.

All in all, it was one of the best nights I have spent in the UK.