Today (November 5), New Zealanders (and England) celebrate Guy Fawkes day.  Actually, it has been celebrated all weekend long with loud and beautiful fireworks -- which have sounded throughout the nights all over the neighborhood.  I have to say that God has blessed us with a son who can sleep through all kinds of noise!  The fireworks, although affecting his parents sleep, have had no affect on James'! 

For the history behind Guy Fawkes day -- In 1605, there was a  plot to blow up the House of Parliament (Britain), with the hopes of killing King James 1 of England.  13 men conspired to hide 36 barrels of gun powder in a cellar beneath the House of Lords.   Someone snitched, and the plot was found out.  On November 5,  the day the explosion was to occur, Guy Fawkes was found in the cellar with the gun powder and, according to some, holding a torch ready to light the fire.  He was caught and tortured, and eventually tried and executed.  On the night of November 5th, however, bonfires were lit to celebrate / commemerate the safety of the King.

So every year, on November 5th, Guy Fawkes day is celebrated with fireworks.  Fireworks are on sell here from the 2nd of November until the 5th of November, and they are legal to discharge within the city limits.  I have to say that we have not had any real problems with recklessness (images of Bucharest on New Years Eve come to mind....) or fire.  But it does seem strange to hear the pop,pop,pop throughout the night.  =) 

Well, now that your history lesson is over....we love and miss you guys!