SOmething tells me your trippists are all either passed out under a bridge, or pulling their hairs out at one of the many university libraries. Thats pretty much the theme around town.

With only a few days left in 2006, the buzz has already begun about where people will spend New YEars. It is an inevitable conversation, if you're not going home, you're here and that means YOU NEED to be "doing" someting.

For most who don't mind the outdoors, the big choice is New Market Square (Nieuw Markt). Both because it has lots of space and china town is right there, it is argueably the number one choice for New Years. People tend to grab a bottle of champagne and a fist full of fireworks and huddle into groups just before midnight.

Then the carnage begins. By carnage I mean anarchy... all out madness. I've seen many countries in my short life, and Ive never been in a war zone; but Amsterdam on new years eve is like nothing you've ever seen.

Whereas most normal humans point fireworks at the sky, Amsterdamers young and old, have this habit of aiming their fireworks everywhere and anywhere. I remember last year riding my bike home around 2am and the whole way I was dodging bottle rockets and other assorted colorful missiles targetted at my head.

Great fun, thats what people will tell you. But thats not the whole truth... come to Amsterdam for new years, but bring a helmet.