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15th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
New Year's Eve Fireworks in Nicaragua

This is a photograph of my friends dancing under New Year's Eve fireworks on the otherwise quiet and uneventful Playa Remanso in Nicaragua. At 12am the beach came alive — families made there way down with effigies of old men to burn the "año viejo" — a tradition in Nicaragua. There was a contained event happening nearby and I believe they lit the fireworks on the beach for attendees. There was no warning and no safety precautions just a free for all of fireworks being blasted into the air just feet away from us while families lit their effigies. Since Playa Remanso is somewhat removed from San Juan Del Sur there were no other tourists. It was unexpected and exciting.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 12.2015
Date Uploaded: 11.2017
Photo Location: San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Copyright: © Ryan Paonessa