Protest Review: Screw Your Wife, Not The World (Taken From Someone's Homemade Demo Sign)

Well yesterday I went to an anti-Bush demonstration staged in Vienna. The overall heading was "Stop Bush. Stop War." Which though not completely accurate, he is certainly one of the world's leading war mongers. Only 13% of the Austrian population doesn't think of him as scum, and they had to close major highways for hours, as well as parts of the city for his visit. So the Austrian's were pretty POed. Also World War II is a horrible memory in the memories of most European countries, and they feel that as America has not experienced modern war on their own soil they do not understand truly the horrors of war. Which feeds nicely into their detest for war mongers and war mongering.
Alot of people who I invited to go with me asked me why they should go. Everyone at the demo had different political platforms: some were communists, some were anti-War on Islam and racism, some were from the green party, some were for peace, some were against war, some were protesting decisions that would be made at the EU summit, some were Americans who wanted Bush impeached and tried for war crimes, some were anti-capatalism and profiteering from the anguish caused by war, some were just wanting to be rebelious. But what brought everyone together was how one individual stood for the anti-thesis of all the things they believed in. I went because I am obviously against war, particularly when it's for economic profit, throws countries into instability, targets particular groups (like muslims) and the War on Terrorism, among other things, wastes resources that could be spent on AIDS awarness and research and funding not to mention countless more important world issues.
The demonstration itself was a smashing success. The energy was amazing, and according to news reports it was 10,000 people strong, which is not only alot of people for a small city like Vienna, but twice the number the organizers had expected. I arrived a little late as it wa supposed to kick off at 17.00, but the protest hadn't started moving. People were making speaches, the one being made when I arrived was about racism against Africans, which gives one an idea of the diversity of platforms. It was very difficult to locate one of my friends I was meeting there, and for future attenders of protests, agree to meet in a restaurant or something. Emphasis on inside, as outside is often pretty hectic. They got off to a very slow start, so we stopped at a Cafe for break, and as we were finishing the protest happened to reach the spot where we were on Mariahilfer Strasse, and we rejoined it. Some person we were marching behind would sporadically toss flyers in the air that actually got a lot of air, and were our primary source of entertainment for a while. There was also sporadic chanting. And someone every now and again would let off a flair and people would cheer. Also some helicopters flew by which incited more cheering. I observed no violence, and it wasn't even all that rowdy. The scarriest thing I saw was a naked woman demonstrator in a pair of those big Gucci-inspired sunglasses. I had to leave when we got to the Hofburg, but I heard that where the march ended they set up a Fest. The place was crawling with Police and a lot of streets were barricaded. It was very safe. But I also heard that the Police were being obnoxious (I guess they don't get to see much action in Vienna). My friend and I (who wishes to remain unamed because of parental disapproval) ended up taking three girls who came from Gratz to Schottentor, and then I went off to the rest of my social engagments, but the protest was by far the coolest thing all week (we'll have to see if the next few nights can dethrown it).

Appendage:

Well I said that there wasn't any violence. But I guess I should qualify that: There wasn't any violence while I was there. It seems that after I left and the protest continured the Police and the protesters came to a bit of a head. Some protesters started throwing, what was described to me as "Gas bombs" at the police, which sounds like tear gas, leaving a huge cloud of black smoke over Heldenplatz. Then the police started making arrests and people were running all over the place trying to get away. When that (I asume) settled down a bit, there was a concert, which was apperently very good. During the concert a girl came up on stage and told the crowd that her boyfriend had not only been arrested but had also been beaten up by the police, and was currently being held at a police station. At which point a group of demonstrators went down to the station to demonstrate for his release outside of the station. I guess I missed the fun part.

PICTURES

Bodrum: Summary

So i got lazy. Who doesn't. I mean I am having trouble hearing people speak to me in person let alone keeping up with my blog. Well anyway Bodrum. We left off at a Sunrise, which is how Day 6 ended.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, Day 4 we went into Bodrum. Ebo got us a bus, and first stop was the Bodrum Gold Center. They have amazing stuff none of us could afford. Well some people could afford it, but I wasn't one of them. Larissa "Fell in love with a ring". It was a beautiful starfish ring made of white and black diamonds. It was also being offered to us at a speacial discount price and if we'd been serious I'm sure we could have put together our college funds and bought it on Credit, but we were both so dumbstruck we weren't thinking straight. Then we were taken to the leather center, but most people just went next door to change money at a bank. As these places were all sponsors of Bentour (Our tour group and Ebo's employer) he was obliged to take us there. Beach Kick, more commonly known as Phil, made us wait 45 minutes in the bus while he bought a pretty cool looking leather jacket. Then we hit the Bazaar and all the fakes. Some people did better than others. Some people felt it "looked like shit", I guess they expected diamond chandeliers and marble floors, and decided to take a taxi home straight away. I stayed and it was fun. Among my prizes my favorite was a belly dancing hip scarf. That night was Karaoke night at the Hotel. All of the group who were there (maybe 20?) went up to sing "I'm so excited". We even danced around with the judges during the music interludes, but only received 26 out of 40 points (not a good score). We were robbed. We sent up several groups, like The American Gigolos (who the *censored adjective* chose that name?) who did a rendition, with Ferdi on beat box, of "Save tonight" by Eagle Eye Cherry. We were all but yanked off the stage (have you seen the Apollo? If not www.youtube.com it) and were dispatched -40 points. That's - 10 from each judge. But overall it was fun, and the MC referred to us as "Out crazy teanagers from Vienna" in this heavy Turkish accent spliced with some US twang. Later Larissa, Hannah, Sofia, Natali, Ian and I braved the trip down to Gumbet. It kicked so much *donkey*. The flashing lights, the way people begged us to come to their clubs rather then asking for ID and raking their pea sized brains for reasons to not admit us. It was just such another experience. The clubs were open and the music so loud, the songs would be competing in the street. We unfortunately had to get back early because Natali wasn't feeling well, but it was wonderful. We ended up back at the lobby as the disco was closed by the time we got back. I think I went to bed that night.
Day 5 we went to the Aqua Park. What can I say about Aqua Park. It wasn't all that. The best part about it was the cheapness of the Henna tattoos and the Jewelry on offer. The groupd the swimmer had to walk on was painful. Pointy stuff placed there by some sadist under the excuse that "it would slow people down". Slidding accross that stuff would have been nasty. Elisabeth was left alone for a bit and made friends with a British boy named Tom who was quite into her. Everyone took a Tasksis home, because some of the more intelligent members of the group had insisted we stay for 5 hours. Ebo was very dissapointed that we didn't like it, because his groups usually liked it. But there were too many Americans, and that place was like the Prater compared to Disney World when put next to water parks in Amer-ca. That night we tore it up on the dance floor. One of my innibriated friends kept me at the disco till they literally stopped playing music. At some point I started talking to this group of Kazakstani kids by the pool, and the youngest and dumbest of them asked Natali "to *censored verb* him" in Russian. Then we left and they tried to get my room number, I hope in a friendly way. Some people went skinny dipping, and though I was invited (They were that drunk?) I had to decline. I think I sunrised it that night. Another one by the peer with the guitar going in the back, if my memory serves me correctly (which it probably doesn't). I tried to go to breakfast, but I felt like *censored noun*, as one tends too when pulling all nighters, and could only choke down some apricots.
Day 6, was possibly for me the the best day. Well it felt like it because Day 5 was so mediocre. Like plain chips. I like them, but I prefer Salt & Vinegar* or Tortila chips with my homemade Salsa. Anyway this was the day Larissa, Elisabeth and I escaped the resort bubble** and went down to Gumbet to shop. It was fun, and wonderful to be away from the Drama of the group. We also met Tom (by coincidence?) and he shopped with us for several hours. The last place we went we were in for over an hour haggling, trying on jeans and joking around. They could custom fit your jeans there in 20 mins. We then went to have tea at a restaurant that offered an interesting ice cream treat called "Young Girl's Dream". At this point Tom left to watch the footy as England was playing. We went back and ate. There wasn't enough time for my nap that day, so I was worried I'd be grouchy. But we went into Gumbet that night and had a pretty good time. We did more shopping and Ian was P.I.M.P.ing it. Or trying too at least. He got prices down for us (or seemed too) at alot of places. Like drinks and earrings Juice got for a girl back home, ect. We tore up the clubs, and missed being beaten up by British Soccer Hooligens (ya, there were some in Bodrum). After Kebab break alot of people wanted to go home, so they took Taksis back, more people who hadnt been out came out, some stayed and joined those, and Alix, Sofia and I walked back. Though I got a Turkish CD at like 2.46 am and a gift for Jun before we left Gumbet. I ended up going back to my room and listening to my CD while I packed. I also saw some of the first episode of Prison Break (in English). They were playing it all day because I saw it earlier, Natalie saw it at a different time, and it was on again. Around 4.00 I was pretty much done packing and bored, so I went out to find some trouble - I mean people. I just happened to meet Paul, Sarvin and Joey, and Juice thinking the same thing and on their way to the lobby. We got there and found the later-arrived Gumbet people. Also the Salzburgers had to leave for Austria in the middle of the night around the same time. Well there ended up being a bunch of us hanging out in the lobby. Paul was talking with the bar keeper Ahmet and making friends. He had his late night snack with Paul, James and I and let Paul wear his bowtie and stand behind the bar. We also went to get our own water. I was also bussing tables. At this point (around this time) Jascha took off his pants and began to dance around the lobby. It was quite funny. The pics are on pwollner. Then we watched the sunrise on the lobby balcony for the first time. Alot more rediculous stuff happened that night, but just check out my pictures. I then went to breakfast, slept a few hours and we left.
Day 7: We left. Thank's Bentour for everything.

Picture available at: this link (I think I'm supposed to say hosted by pwollner.com, but I took them)

* Salt & Vinegar Chips: I like Salt & Vinegar chips, and before I moved to Vienna they were the only potato chips I would eat. South Africa has so many chip flavours, so when I arrived in Vienna five years ago to find only four chip flavours I knew I had arrived in a godless place. Since then, however, they have been improving, but have not as yet achieved the status of Salt & Vinegar Chips. What are they afraid of? People love those vinegar potato salads here, why not Salt & Vinegar Chips? Too much flavour?
** Resort bubble: One rarely leaves the resort. Too much free stuff. It's like there's a bubble you have to penetrate to leave.

Bodrum: Day 3

Day three was pretty uneventful. I woke up late (as always) went to lunch at the Turkısh restaurant, sat there eatıng, drınkıng water, eatıng lemon and socıalızıng for four hours. I literally sat there for four hours. At first by myself reading and waiting for my food to arrive, when it finnaly arrive Jascha, Gaga, Heather, Schulte and Andrew and Nermin came and I joined them. Then everyone but Jascha and Gaga left as they were keeping me company while I finished my food. Then Ian and Ferdi came. They started eating and Jascha and Gaga left, then Natalie, Kevin and Hannah and Natali showed up and Feri and Ian left. The nature of Bodrum. I sat there and saw all those people come and go. I then went back to sleep as I was sick and had to nurse my sore throat. That evening was fun. It began with Turkish night meaning: more Turkish food at the buffet. My personal favorites being the Humus and Chicken Kebab. There was also some Turkish traditional dancing in the amphitheatre and a belly dancing performance. The belly dancer finished her solo dance and then began to call male members of the audience up.There ended up being six guys up there in all, including our very own Ben and Joe. I think when the guys were called up most of them may have expected a lap dance or something, certainly not having to shake their hips and shimmy in front of family, friends and Fremder. Next on the agenda was Sofia's Birthday. For her birthday Sofia wanted to go into the town of Gumbet* to club/bar hop. Sounded good to me. But some people didn't feel it was necessary at that point to leave the resort. They came up with a pretty cool alternative. They set up the pier the Sunrise peer with all the gian pillows in a circle with a space in the middle for candles and tea lights to spell out the numbers one and eight. They also procured two bottles of champagne and five champagne glasses (the resort was stingy with the glasses). They got everyone to be at the peer around 23.00 and around 23.30 they blind folded Sofia and carried her there. It was a supercalafragelistickespialadocious suprise for her. Rules one and two of birthday suprises as exemplified by Peter's for Eli were followed. 1) Sofia didn't not know about it and 2) She was suprised. The whole thing was arranged within such a short period of time the chances of it slipping were very very low. There were also balloons which Schulte had come up with the idea to fill with sand to keep them from blowing away. They were cool till people started smashing them on other people, and every now and again we'd all have the bejesus scared out of us as someone tossing a balloon inadvertantly (or advertantly) got a balloon rolling around among the candles. We stayed around the candle light trying to sing to the guitar for a while. Then I think I went to bed. I can't remember as it took place several days ago and so much happened in such a short time it's all sort of a blur. But I think that this was one of my early nights. By early I mean I went to bed before the sun came out, though it was probably light out. No wait, now I remember. We went to the resort disco and danced all night with the birthday girl. They also played a crappy happy birthday, not like in Vienna where the play the Stevie Wonder version. This one was a sucky techno version, and it made me homesick for Vienna where the clubs have a good happy Birthday song. Actually that night was my first sunrise. Because of drama that became a hallmark of our stay in Bodrum, Natali was staying in Hannah and my room and we went down to the pier to catch the sunrise with Paul, Veza, Teresa, Joey and Mimi (I think). The sunrises are all beginning to blur into each other, except the first and last one I saw. Paul and Joey were having a tussle with Veza and one of the giant pillows ended up in the ocean (I think it was this time). Paul ended up having to fish it out with a paddle while hanging off the edge of the pier and Joey hanging onto his feet. Not only did we do this, but we'd left wax on the pier from the candles and Joey and Paul were throwing glasses into the see and Natali C. threw in a plate. I was sworn at by her for chatising them for turning the ocean into a landfill. But they were. People have no respect, and expecting them to is a waste of energy. It's quite disgusting for people with highschool diplomas (so we can assume not completely ignorant) to be abusing such a beautiful place. I guess handing someone a diploma doesn't mean they can be expected to have common sense. Also being drunk doesn't help much either. But to cut a long rant short, the sun came up, I fell asleep, I woke up feeling like shit and joined Natali and Hannah for breakfast and slept. When pulling an all nighter falling asleep is bad, because you feel gross when you wake up. But the whole idea of falling asleep on a pier is a romantic one (romantic in the sense of the romantacism not romantic comedies).

*This description given by the link is a bit flat. Think of a street dedicated to clubs and bars with loud music that makes wanna dance blasting from each one and guys standing at the door offering you free shots and trying to make you come into their club. Don't forget all the flashing lights and shops selling silver stuff, sunglasses, fake stuff and touristy stuff in between. And restaurants offering everything from English to Italian, to Chinese, to Indian, to Turkish food (and sometimes four types at once).

Club Revıew: Helıkarnus

One quote that wıll remain ın the trıp quotes hall of fame ıs: " Hey you party people!" - Ebo. This is how we were adressed on the way to Helıkarnus and of course had to respond wıth mad cheerıng. Ebo brought two other agents from Bentour to help hım help us party, whıch were added to our already over 25 strong numbers representıng AIS. The musıc was pretty good, begınnıng wıth hıp hop. Around 1.00 am ıt swıtched over to techno and Turkısh musıc. At one poınt they turned on fountaıns on stage (water jets at least ten feet hıgh) and ınvıted members of the audıence on stage to dance. You know how the Class of '06 rolls: half of us ended up there. We were all soaked through even before the foam started. The schaum, the maın event, what we had been waıtıng ALL DAY for, was scheduled to begın at 3.00 am. It was 20 mnınutes late much to my consternatıon. However, when ıt dıd eventually start up ıt was awesome!!! A paır of gogo dancers dırected the spray over the crowd from a foam canon. Freud (and ex-IB students) would descrıbe thıs as major a phallıc symbol. (Connor damned the IB the next afternoon as we chılled on pıllows on a pıer at the resort for IB Psychology rearıng ıts ugly head even on our Grad Trıp) The foam ended up up-to my chest (probably lower for many people readıng thıs as I may be descrıbed as somewhat vertıcally challenged). Everyone was soaked and covered ın foam. It got ın your eyes sometımes and at tımes was ınhaled whıch wasn't pleasent but dıdn't stop AIS from domınatıng the dance floor. As everyone was covered ın foam they were pretty much unrecognızable whıch alowed for random people to ınfıltrate the group. We got back at around 5.00 am. A few people decıded to meet on the beach to watch the sunrıse so frantıc showerıng off of the foam ensued. My clothes stıll smell lıke foam. We got to the pıer, layed out on the gıant pıllows and waıted for the sunrıse. Everyone fell asleep once the sun was up, and I went for breakfast at around 9.00. Foam, chocolate monkeys and sunrıses are what Bodrum ıs all about.
A few thıngs about the faom ın closıng.
A) It was fun
B) It burned my eyes (i rınsed them out)
C) Inhalıng ıt (down your throat ınto lungs) is not only nasty but ınevıtable.
D) We got COMPLETELY soaked through
E) It was fun.

Bodrum: Day 2

Day 2 was a long day for me and many of us. To quote Sofıa "Today felt lıke the longest day of my lıfe." Thıs was of course a sımılıe, but ıt was a loooong day ın a good way. Most people (myself ıncluded) mıssed breakfast, havıng been up late the nıght before. Alot of people swam and/or played beach volleyball. I watched some beach volleybal (well I was there for the last poınt of one game) and only made a weak attempt at swımmıng as I don't really lıke swımmıng. I got a bunch of swımmıng stuff (lıke shorts and bıkını tops, not to mentıon flıp flops whıch I have not bought ın at least two years) İ felt oblıgated to use. Well the whole day was about kıllıng tıme before the trıp to club Halıkarnas for the foam party they have there every Saturday. After the volleyball playıng I vaguely observed I went to an Italıan restaurant nearby. The food sucked. So far all my food experınces at WOW Bodrum were bad. Then I went to that ınformatıon meetıng and sıgned up for the Scaum Party. We got a deal from Ebo - our Bentouır guıde person (WE LOVE EBO) - 25 euros (entrance ıs 22) for transport there and back and free drınk tıcket. Well then I thınk I socıalızed and took a nap for a few hours, got up, ate dınner, more socıalızıng and happened to stumble apon a dance competıtıon. Not break dancıng or anythıng lıke that, but a four part dance competıtıon whıch was a resort actıvıty. They called up bystanders to judges and partıcıpate. AIS ended up wıth two people on the judgıng panel and four ın the competıon (two AIS couples). Basıcally ıt went a lıttle some thıng lıke thıs: Four categorıes of dancıng had to be preformed by each couple after watchıng a short demonstratıon from some profıs. The categorıes were Three latın dances and rock and roll. It was hılarıous. There was a older couple from Russıa, a young couple from Turkey, Jascha and Sofıa from Vıenna, and Lemmı and Eva K. from Germany (They saıd "No more people from Vıenna). Needless to say Jascha and Sofıa came fırst and Lemmı and Eva Thırd. Everyone got bottle of chapagne, but fırst place also got a 70% dıscount at the jewelry stand, free massage and free tattoo. Then I had to rush to get ready as we were set to leave at mıdnıght. We dıdnt leave at mıdnıght of course (people were loadıng up up on free stuff) but once we were on our way we had a blast.

Bodrum: Day 1

We arrıve ın Bodrum last nıght after a three hour plane rıde. It was relatıvely short for me as I am more accustomed to flyıng 9 hours flıghts and consıderıng them short. The ıronıes of thıs trıp began at Wıen Schwechat, the fırst people to arrıve ıncluded Elısabeth and Larıssa wıth people lıke Natalı, Nermın and Peter runnıng late. Most people arrıved at four anyway (though we were takıng off at 17.55) and many took the CAT (Lıke I dıd for the thırd tıme that week). I had tıme for a 10 mınute massage and a HagenDaas before take off. On the plane ıtself the Class of '06 was a bıt spread out whıch encouraged people to stand up and block the corrıdors havıng photo sessıons or sımply talkıng. Other ın flıght entertaınment ıncluded a flıght attendent askıng for Gaga's e-maıl adress. When he came back to get ıt she saıd "Here's your pen". No adress. It was quıte a nıce lıttle shut-down on her part. People got trapped ın the aısles as at tımes there were three trolleys goıng down the aısle at one tıme. Basıcally all the walkıng around thoroughly pıssed off the flıght staff, but ıt's to be expected. The landıng was ok. but some very smart person began the applause (and was joıned by alot of other people) before we had actually fully landed, whıch led me to poınt out how ıronıc ıt would be for our plane to burst ınto flames at that poıınt, for us to go down ın a blaze of ıdıotıcally clappıng glory. Not a great way to go. We were then fınally IN BODRUM. Well not ın Bodrum really whıch we were led to belıeve by our travel agency guy was 40 mınutes away. But we were at the aırport! Changes notıcable ımmedıately were the the beautıful moon lıt star dusted nıght sky, and the temperature. The fırst drama of the trıp was Joey P losıng the bag wıth hıs passport and travel packet (ıncludıng tıckets and vouchers) on the plane, much to the consternatıon of most people. I won't repeat what people called hım,but let's say one metaphor used ıs sımılar to the german word for wash. Eventually some of hıs stuff was found and we got on the bus to the hotel.
On the bus rıde there, our awesome tour guıde Ebo (short for Ibrahım and pronounced lıve Ivo only a "b" not a v) announce a 9.45 ınformatıon sessıon. People weren't ınterested (ın wakıng up that early), but the weekly foam party that takes place here would have to be sıgned up for at that meetıng, and cocktaıls were offered as well at whıch poınt people trıed to postpone the meetıng. It's ın 15 mıns (14.00). The rest of the evenıng was spent dancıng at the dısco, drınkıng theır yucky drınks, playıng guıtar and sıngıng late ınto the nıght on a balcony, wanderıng around the resort, prank callıng frıend's rooms, gettıng ınjured on the beach, pıckıng sea urchın spınes out of fıngers, admınısterıng prıvate massage sessıons to make the ınjured feel better, eatıng bread (ıt appeared the only taste the snack bar knew was salty) and chıllıng. Etc. Gonna be late for the meetıng.

Party Reviewed: After Grad and After Grad Part II

So we graduated yesterday (it was yesterday when I started writing this), on June 3rd. Graduation was held at Palais Festal. The venue was gorgeous, the speeches were great and everyone was proud of the honerable class. I will admit I can't really remember what was said as I was so caught up in the enormity of it all, but the guest speaker, Mr. I. Dorton, among other things entreated the Class of '06 to share the gift of the love we have recieved. He also mentioned education, internationalism, friendship and caring. But I mentioned love as our graduation song was Love Generation by Bob Sinclair. Anyway once that was all over, and the tears had been shed, the hugs and congradulations had been given, and the fact we had actuallly "done it" was sinking in, many people went to dinner with family and/or friends. After this, sometime around 23.30 the bulk of the Class of '06 arrived at Ma Pitom, a Lokal owned by Jascha's Uncle. Festivities kicked off with a round of double tequila golds, and toasts to the Class of '06. At Ma Pitom they seemed to have gotten in touch with DJ Alex for his musical recomendations (see previous entry), but as the eveing progressed so did the music (I think). We were having a hell of a good time anyway because we had just graduated. Singing along to stupid songs and dancing to them was enjoyed by many. Problems experienced at Ma Pitom started with the crowded nature that was initially experienced, but Jascha's uncle sorted that problem and we ended up with an abundance of space. People still found the need to congregate in the street whether to smoke (even though we're in Austria), cool down (the excitement was changed into thermal energy, as makes perfect sense to Biology students who have studied cellular respiration and the movement of energy in ecosystems) or to look for lost friends/family members/a better place to go. However, many props go to Jascha for hooking us up. Special guest appearences included ALOT of alumni, it was wonderful to see their support (or maybe they just felt like some kind of reunion), underclassmen, my two guests from SA and not to forget some teachers made it out.
As the evening progressed, sometime after 1.00am the next morning, those who had not left already were getting stir-crazy and wanted to move on to more energetic pastures. Two rival After Grad Part II Parties developed: Erika's vs. Jascha's. Jascha's had the advantage of him being a member of the Class of '06, and people made his basement sound attractive. However, he lost people because he took so long to leave. Erika's started when people's attentions began to wane, which made it a winner for most of the people who went. Also underclassmen would have felt more comfortable going there uninvited so the greater numbers were attractive to many seniors. I ended up at Erika's because A) Jascha's was taking too long and B) Supi and Zava were getting pissed off at my indecisiveness. The plan was to get to Jascha's once it started. I forgot my phone that evening so that never materialized. Erika's was basically in tradition of her parties. Pretty wild. Basically all the room rooms were occupied with clandestine activities. In a search for a free room for the non-clandestine activity oriented people someone ran into her dog who was locked in the basement. "Dude this dog just attacked me" the traumatized but mostly intact party-goers exclaimed. "Ya that's my dog. She's not very friendly. Stay out of there", was Erika's nonchalant reply. There was a very very dark room, which had decent music playing, but the nature of the activites therein kept me from properly exploring. The inhabitants mostly enjoyed them. Alot of the doors were locked, and when I arrived some of us began congregation in the sitting room. That was pretty chill, and I poped upstairs to stargaze on the roof terrace. When I got back more people were downstairs in preperation for leaving.
For a change (and because I don't have enough details) I asked for some comments from people on the Grad, and After Grad Parts I and II experience. Celine comments that she liked the "president's [Patrick's] speech. It ended with thank-you and good-bye. Paul was so funny, and Mr. Dorton was good too." Oliver (a member of the Class of '06) commented that he "didn't hear anything, I was just so overwhelmed by the whole thing. I really messed up on the piture we had to take on stage. It's probably a shot of the back of my head." On an after grad note, one graduating senior felt that they " wanted to go clubbing to celebrate. Not just freshmen drinking to make out, but I guess not everyone is up for clubbing." One of the juniors who was at grad and After Grads Part I and II simply remarked: "It was cool". I was also overwhelmed like Oliver said, I guess graduationg can do that too you, and a lot of people would have prefered clubbing, but it turned out pretty cool. All in all Graduation 2006 and the After Grads Part I and II were a great ending to not just this first round of my educational career but also this chapter of my life.

Grad Dinner: Macarena

Before Graduation there is something called Graduation Dinner. It was held this year and the Schloss Hotel Wilhelminenberg, on the day before graduation, June 2nd. Basically you pay 50 euros a head to have dinner with your family at this place with everyone else's families. I musn't forget that you have to dress up, and before the actual eating starts there is a reception. A lot of people, don't like receptions. Normally I love receptions, getting to dress up, carry on adult conversation, the little entres ect. But this one was different, you knew almost all the people in the room. This made it all very awkward, having to avoid eye contact with people you don't want to talk too, not remembering if you said "hi" to someone already, having to circulate, but once you hit everyone it's not clear what you're supposed to do. That's why when new people arrive everyone gets so excited to see them, they are secretly thinking "Yay, something to do". These problems I have laid out are normal at a reception, only actually knowing the people on a I-see-you-five-times-a-week sort of way, makes it fourteen to the power 23 times more awkward. The food was OK. I personally found the cream sauce that went with my potatoes too heavy, but some people cleaned their plates. The evening's entertainment began with a slide shop of baby pictures and present pictures from those members of the senior class who submitted them. They were quite amusing, and there was a lot of "aaaw" and "hehehehe" sounds from the audience. This was followed by a speech by Jascha to open the proceedings with a poignant speech which compared high school to a meal. Then we got to eat, which as I have mentioned, was ok. After my speech, the dancing started. They began with a Waltz, only two couples were really any good. One of them included Peter, and Andrew and I lamented at never having attended Elmayer. To all the people who still have a chance to go to Tanzschule, try to schedule it in. It comes in handy and is impressive cause most people can't do those dances properly. One couple was simply shuffling around the floor. Don't let that be you. Anyway the music at some points in the evening was very very very bad, and at other filled the floor. Things that sucked included Aba. Songs that filled the floor were Love Generation by Bob Sinclair and the Macarena by those guys who sing the Macarena. For the Macerena all the seniors left, about 80% of the class lined up to Macerena. It was a very bonding experience, and is probably one of the most fun, mindless and synchronized things we're ever done as a class, for which I would like to thank DJ Alex. There was also salsa, a South African song (Pata Pata by Miriam Makeba) and other stuff mostly older than we were. It was great to see everyone and their families all dress up, and once we got into the dining hall the awkwardness dissipated, and I made a good year book signing in Jun's year book. Overall not a fun but a Fun evening.

Party Review: Eli's Surprise Birthday Par-tey

Well Thursday June 1st was Eli's birthday (mark it in your birthday calendars) and Peter hosted a surprise birthday party. She unsuspecting arrived at Peter's house sometime around 13.30, not taking note of how many shoes were at Peter's entrance, not to mention coats and bags. We were waiting upstairs in the living room to spring our surprise, which was successful as she was A) unsuspecting and B) no one told her. For future planners of surprise birthday events, these two points are essential: being unsuspecting of a surprise and not being told. Without them there is no surprise. So we jumped out and yelled something, I can't remember what it was, but I remember what it wasn't: Not the happy birthday song. It may have been "Surprise!!!" Anyway, this was soon followed by a braai*. It rained a bit but there was some sort of canopy thing, and we just moved the table about a meter to the right/left/forward/back (direction varied depending on which side of the table guests were seated. For me it was the right. We then had a homemade birthday cake that did not look homemade. You may be wondering who baked this cake. Peter? I doubt it. Me? If you know me, you know about my culinary skills, and they do not include making amazing cherry and cream chocolate cakes. No. It was Peter's mom, who got all the food together (with some help from his little sister and Peter). Of all the parties I have attended this year at high school level, the food at this one has been by far the best. People then went off to play pool, or chill in the lounge. In the early evening I went on an expedition with Jun, Eli and Helen into Peter's backyard. Peter's backyard has forest size trees (a lot of them), is very steeply inclining, huge and resembles a mini wald**. At the top we met a fence with a gate. The fence was locked, so we had to get over it, which was a bit tricky considering the barbed wire and how it was wet (Vienna has been having very British weather for the past three weeks), but most of us made it over. We then held a moment of silence for our companions we lost to the fence and proceeded to find what was on the other side of the fence. We ended up in a big field with tall grass which Jun started to run through, in the manner of movie sequences with arm waving and yelling through fields of flowers. I have never seen such tall grass in Austria. In South Africa I would be worried about stepping in a snake hole and twisting my ankle or being bitten by a snake if I carelessly ran through a field of grass. But we live in Austria. Anyway after finding vineyards and hopping more fences we made it back in time for sunset and dinner. I tried to start writing my grad dinner speech at this point as well. More great food followed, and an Austrian friend of Peter's had party mood music playing. This friend also tried to trick several people into stuffing whole peppers (of the hot variety) into their mouths. I however, was not fooled by Thomas's: "They're sweet". The same cannot be said for Zava. After this some people tried to dance, there was more lounge chilling, a fire outside to sit around while the smokers blowed smoke filled bubble and pool. If you have not seen smoke bubble, go buy some bubbles at Libro or something, and ask the first smoker you see to blow you a bubble. They are cooler than they sound. My evening ended with me hopping a wall and running like a maniac for the bus I saw leave the bus stop before my eyes, at least unlike last time this happened I wasn't being chased by a dog.
I've already said that the food was awesome. The venue was large enough for two different types of music to be played, and there were indoor and outdoor as well as active and vegetative activities. The music was very very varied. Hip hop, metal, Jun demanded to hear violins at some point, chill, rowdy, party, English, German, etc: you name it, it was played. Or at least something similar. Everyone smiled as a favorite song was played at some point that evening. The crowd kept coming and going, and its transient nature kept things fresh. Special appearances included two Austrian friend's of Peters, two people who still go to AIS, one being the birthday girl's sister and the other an IBVA soldier (Helen), and a couple of alumni. Overall Peter's party received my first five, a chill session was just what I need. *****

* braai: South African for barbecue or grill
** wald: German for wood, as in the woods.