Grapes for the New Year

No Spaniard would ever think about ringing in the New Year without eating 12 grapes. Instead of the 10 second countdown in Times Square with Dick Clark, they have the 12 second countdown in la Puerta del Sol with Carmen Sevilla. Why 12 and not 10 you ask? For the 12 months of the next year, of course. There are 12 bells and with each bell you have to eat one grape. That's easy, you say. Not true. The first 4 or 5 grapes are easy, but by the time you get to the 7th or 8th one you start giggling and snorting grape juice out your nose. Very few people are talented enough to have swollowed the 12th grape after the 12th bell. Most people have their cheeks full and are still chewing. I'll let you know how it goes! Happy New Year!