I greeted the New Year in Cairns, Australia by attending a party. Halfway through the dances, a countdown for the end of the old year began.
At the stroke of midnight, balloons and crackers burst. People were singing
"Auld Lang Syne."
It was just the same as in a movie I saw long ago.
It was the first time I had celebrated the New Year in foreign country.
Here,
"Auld Lang Syne"
is sung at the end of the year.
Graduation at school and shops close to the sound of that music.We named the song
" Light of the Firefly,"
from an old Chinese story.
In Japan at this time of year there is snow outside the window, letters cross to friends that bring back memories of times gone by. As the night passes, a new day dawns, and we bid farewell to the old year.

In the freezing cold of midnight, we greet the New Year in distant temples by striking a bell for the purification of 108 Desires, or in shrines praying by clapping hands that all will be fine.
At the same time, in the hot summer midnight of Australia, people greet the New Year by wearing sparkling caps, disguising themselves in gorgeous costumes and attending parties and dancing.
I hesitated to dance because I did not know the steps.
People toasted the New Year by drinking glasses of champagne, wishing each other a "Happy New Year," and exchanging kisses. Suddenly one smiling girl gave me a kiss.
I felt shy and a strong cultural shock.

In Japan we celebrate Christmas and the year's end by drinking and singing at parties. However, in Australia, holidays such as Christmas and Easter are days of holy, religious observance.
Almost all shops are closed.
I watched on television in Sydney, as Queen Elizabeth II sent a message for peace, and the Pope performed a Christmas Mass.
Before the 1930's, the Japanese calculated their age when the new year began and took no notice of their birth date.

Anyway, parents celebrate the same way on Christmas Day in Australia as on New Year's Day in Japan.
Presents are given to children in Japan and to children above the equator.
(GZ)