Chapter Text
Day 21: Force India Boys- Burning of the Clocks.
Nico hadn’t been sure about doing the burning of the clocks. But Sergio had talked him into it. Begging him for days on end till Nico cracked and agreed. With the promise that Sergio knew it was only a onetime thing. Every year in the city there was a huge parade. Where people marched along with their homemade lanterns down to the beach. There their lanterns were collected by people and thrown onto a pile. Then once the last lantern was put on the pile was set alight and there was a firework display to follow. The burning of the clocks was to celebrate the winter solstice. Sergio had found a workshop put on by the organisers to make the lanterns and had made Nico go with him. The two had amazing fun trying to craft their lanterns out of the wood and tissue paper. Nico had made his lantern in the shape of a star. Though it was crudely done. Sergio had made a square pyramid one and had decorated every side with doodles of various things. Such as his car and himself and Nico as well as many other drivers. Nico was impressed with the work Sergio had put into it.
“Ready for the parade then?” Sergio asked as the two lined up at the start place. The parade would go all the way thorough town with people allowed to tag on the end and follow the parade route.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Nico admitted.
“It’ll be fun. You’ll see.” Sergio laughed as he lit the candle to be put in his lantern. Nico did the same with his lantern. Being careful that the candle wouldn’t cause his lantern to catch light too early. Very soon after that the parade kicked off.
Walking round all the twisty dark streets Nico really got into the event. There was a samba band ahead of them and Sergio was thrilled. Dancing around to the sounds. Nico had to admit the tunes were very toe tapping. The route was lined both sides with people. Often they were four of five deep with people. Trying to get a view of the parade. He had to admit. It was spectacular. Some people were dressed up with snowflake lanterns attached to their backs. Their lights were battery operated. And one group even combined their efforts to make a snaking dragon. Nico was impressed.
“Having a good time?” Sergio asked his team mate. Shouting to be heard over the commotion of the cheering crowd and Samba band.
“Yes!” Nico shouted with glee. “This is amazing! The cities alive and so vibrant.” He announced as he walked by a woman who had made a skirt out of tissue and wooden sticks. The lights adding something to the Victorian skirt idea.
“I love this event.” Sergio admitted.
“Same.” Nico could only agree.
It seemed like it was too soon when they finally got to the parades end point at the beach. But they had done it amazingly. The huge sound system played the sound of a ticking clock. While there was a giant clock, made of the same material as their lantern, supported by a scaffold. Then there was a scaffold construction for the bonfire of the lanterns. There was a lot of effort for this event. Nico and Sergio blew out their candles in their lanterns before lining up behind everyone to hand their lanterns over. There was a platform with half a dozen people on. Running lanterns over to people to put on the bonfire. Nico and Sergio waited patiently before handing their lanterns over to one of the people. They then stood back in the area and waited to watch the fire. The last lantern was put on and the ticking stopped. Soon some new age music was played as the people in control of the fire stepped forward. They waited before setting fire to the lantern pile. There was a great cheer among the people.
“Bye bye lantern.” Nico heard Sergio say next to him. After that the main clock was set alight. And the fireworks begun. Nico watched in awe as the fireworks squealed into the night. Lighting up the sky with a brilliant boom and a shower of sparks. The fireworks carried on till the finale. A spotlight shone on the organisers of the event and they took a bow as the city it seemed came out to cheer them.
“That was amazing.” Nico told Sergio as he clapped. The two began to make their way home once the commotion had died down. “Do you want to do it again next year?”
“Seriously!” Sergio grinned at him. Happy that Nico seemed to enjoy himself.
“Definitely.” Nico grinned. “This was great.”