Last weekend over 950,000 dedicated ravers descended on my beautiful city for the biggest dance-music street party in all of Europe, 'Street Parade'. The day was an absolute scorcher.
This was my first time to attend something of this nature and whilst thoroughly enjoyable it was a rather strange anomaly in this city's more police-patrolled and rule enforcing nature. For one day in this city of order and rules, chaos is allowed rein supreme. Mass drinking on the streets, public urination, drug use, Italian men bathing in our city's fountains (ew), these are not things that you normally associate with the city of Zurich. As the time went on and the carnage of the day became apparent the once beautiful city began to more closely resemble Bagdad or Bangkok. Empty cans, crushed plastic and shattered glass became the carpet beneath my feet. Yet through it all none of the chaos was dampening my spirits for the overwhelming love of this atmosphere, of this music (whilst not for everyone and not for me all the time) was contagious.
In fact only one thing I saw that day managed to disgust, I won't go into details but extremely drunk girl, you know who you are, you know what you did and I really do not think your mother would approve of that behavior, heh heh.
I decided to dress up for the occasion with techno sailor slut boy being my intention, however it became apparent quite quickly that in caparison to those who went all out I was completely underdressed for Street Parade. I actually just looked like your run of the mill Zurichian hipster. We were talking, full on Lady Gagas, gargantuan trannies (Tranniesaraus Rexes, like), Lara Crofts, Toads from the Mario games and dozens of Smurfs. My little attempt at playing dress up felt a bit wet.
The music itself was great but I was mind boggled by the fact that the main stages where the supposed superstar DJ's were preforming seemed muted in comparison to the actual parade trucks. Next year I'm just finding a good spot to watch the parade, stages-smeages.
Yet eventually the day did manage to catch up to me and I was kindly taken home by Husband and put to bed. A little bit tipsy by the end and maybe even a little bit more cranky. Oh well I'll know better for next year.
My only regret is that I didn't get to meet this guy.
Techno Viking, fighter of evil drunkards, saviour of blue hair girls, drinker of water and dancer of hand. Maybe next year.
