IAESTE Sweden's Midsummer Party

I returned home just 2 hours ago from the great Midsummer Party in Sweden, sunburnt to a crisp and very very exhausted.

Every year, the IAESTE committee in sweden organizes the event to celebrate Midsummer together with some IAESTE committees and trainees from neighbouring countries, which is how wo got invited. I left from work on Friday around 2pm together with some other trainees at Microsoft, and we traveled until 8pm by bus, train, ferry, train, bus... taking a route through Goteborg and then heading to Stansvik in the absolutely stunning western sweden archipelogo... a large number of small and relatively untouched Islands which can be reached by bridge or boat.

Needless to say, in the 28-degree sunlight the place looked just stunning. I never dreamed that scandinavia could be so beautiful in summertime, or that the beautiful waterscape would surpass anyhting i've seen in the mediterranean. You really have to see it for yourself.

We joined up with another 70 people, some of which belonging to another traineeship organization which constituted of 23 Finnish girls and just 2 guys (nice ratio). We had dinner in this big hall by the sea and slowly started to get to know eachother. After explaining where Malta is 32 times, i could only remember 2 or 3 names since everyone there seemed to have some unpronouncable name with letters i had never seen in any alphabet. Dinner was followed by disco party and went to sleep at around 6am after chatting with some pretty young ladies and drinking in the everlasting night sunlight.

I was rudely awoken at around 9am next morning, feeling pretty much stoned but ready to take on day 2 of the summer party. We went on a small hike across the black hills and then took a boat-ride around the islands. We were dropped off on one small island for about 2 hours where we sunbathed and watched the jellyfish float by.. and then went trekking once again across the jagged black hills and green countryside to our boat which took us back home. Oh i also forgot to mention we went to the beach yesterday.. a really beautiful small bay with rock and sand and a grassy area with a large tree providing shade for the now-pink scandinavians. In the afternoon, we played some games such as "Turkish Beer" (uhm, they meant "bear" anyway) where i came in second with about 20 bruises and after almost losing my lunch (beer+bbq+running is not recommended). Which reminds me, dinner was BBQ'd meat and veggies on the grassy area outside the banquet hall, followed by traditional dancing around the grassy pole and singing silly songs such as "Hellan Gore", and more booze of course.

Saturday night was another trip to the beach followed by more booze and chit chat, and the last but rather lethargic disco party. Everyone was pooped by then, either due to the alcohol, intense hiking, or strong sun. In fact, we had a few pinkies thanks to the heatwave, who were quiet a sight really.

With a full stomach and a sorrowful heart, we left the Swedish Archipelago on sunday at around 10:30am and stopped for a brief visit of Gotenborg city which seems like quite a lively place. Might go and visit the city some time soon coz its got reputably great nightlife. See you in Gotenborg Marlin :-)

Frederiksberg Castle

Located in Hillerød, northish Sealland, Frederiksberg Castle is a large architectural masterpiece surrounded by some spectacular gardens and lakes. The castle also houses a large number of old and contemporary paintings as well as a beautiful church and internal courtyard.

Microsoft Summer Party 2005

Yes, believe it or not, the IT geeks at Microsoft can party as hard as they work! Yesterday we had the great summer festival for all people on Vedbaek Campus... around 800 in all.

We started around noon and, divided into teams, competed against eachother in team-building activities based on microsoft values. This was quite fun and also gave us the opportunity to get to know big danish celebrities and how their achievements are reflected in the same values Microsoft so strongly upholds. As usual, not only did i put my utmost effort into trying to win, but i also tried to motivate my rather fat team with alot of screaming and waving of the team's banner. I was hoarse by tea time.

We then had about an hour to rest, wash and change, and proceed to the big tent which was set up on the campus green area. The huge circus-style tent with wooden floor, inside-lighting and huge sound system was where I ate our buffet dinner in the company of 2 beautiful women who i'd never seen before at work (recommended trips to the marketing, HR and Finance departments from now onwarsd..), even though they were well past my age-bracket. Food was good, and the wine glass was refilled constantly much to my liver's delight.

At the end of the meal, we had a live entertainment act from Fatboy of the Classroom, a 2-man band which packed as much humour as they did good music. They clearly did their homework as most of their standup comedy was a good poke at Microsoft's reputation etc. These guys were really funny though, definitely worth watching, and had everyone in fits of laughter (and i assure you it wasnt the wine).

After a memorable "group watering of a random microsoft bush" when the ladies occupied all toilets, the oldies went to chat outside whilst the young 'uns hit the dancefloor and open bar. I can also proudly say that i downed a few pints with my boss who allegedly was hungover all weekend thanks to me. Just for the record, i am not fired yet. He's the one in the centre of the photo. "love your boss.. stroke his head"

Helsingør and Helsingborg

Yesterday was tour day with a group of IAESTE trainees, most of which just arrived here in denmark a week or two ago. I met up with Gary, Michael, Michael, Hakkim, Kim, Nea and Ryan at Kokkedal station, and we set off to explore the northern tip of Sjælland (same island Copenhagen is situated on).

Helsingør
This small town is at the very tip of the island, jutting out into the baltic sea channel dividing Denmark and Sweden. This is where King Frederik build the Kronberg castle, which also features in the novel Hamlet, and has been used for hundreds of years as a location for epic Hamlet plays. Kronberg was not too impressive from the inside, probably because it burnt down in the 1600's and was rebuilt since then, but the architecture from the outside is quite a sight. It did contain an interesting collection of giant tapestries woven for the King himself, depicting portraits of 70 Danish royalty. The King introduced a toll for all ships passing through the channel, which was paid directly in Helsingør, and the castle cannons would fire upon anyone trying to evade taxation. This made Denmark's northern region incredibly prosperous in those days, much to the discontent of other countries such as Sweden who managed to attack and take over the castle, as well as much of northern Denmark, in the 17th century. Kronberg also houses a large statue of the giant viking Holger Danske, reputably lifesize, as he sits in silence with sword and shield guarding the tunnels under the castle.

Since it was also the (current) Queen's husband's birthday, we witnessed a royal military march, salute, and traditional firing of the cannons (all seemed to be aimed at Sweden). And this leads us to part 2 of the journey. Sweden is so close to Helsingør that it only takes a 15 minute ferry ride to Helsingborg. So off we went, crossing the jellyfish-infested waters that were scandinavia's greatest battlefield for many years.

Helsingborg
Sweden's closest point to Denmark, Helsingborg is quite a pretty town which was also involved with much trade and warfare in the early days. Now, its just a place for rich young couples and middle-aged families, with its expensive-looking apartments overlooking the sea and a small dock for all their private yachts and speedboats. Very pretty place though, and i'm sure it would be great to live there. It was also sunny so we really enjoyed lying on the grass and eating Swedish ice-cream (shaped and coloured like their flag).

We visited Helsingborg's castle, Känan, which is basically a tall tower with far too many steps and a breathtaking view from above. We then walked about the town and stopped for dinner at an Italian restaurant, where my half-bottle of red wine cost me more than my plate of pesto (Doh!). We left sweden again by ferry towards late evening, even though it was still sunny since there's light even after midnight in summer in these regions.


Back in Denmark
Our final trip of the day was to Nyhavn, just west of Norreport, an area filed with bars, coffee shops and restaurants overlooking a 10m-wide channel where all the beautiful wooden yachts would berth, their owners inside them with their friends drinking away til the early hours of the morning. We stopped in a small pub owned by some aussies and spent the rest of the evening drinking Leffe (mmmmm) and talking away.

Bavarian Sunset

So its goodbye Deutschland for me. Its been a busy 3 days and i'm really exhausted, not really looking forward to another 12-hour train ride either. Lets hope there are hot Austrian women in my cabin like last time to keep me company...

Rock im Park 2005 - day 3

Yeeehah! a rockin' day yesterday and far too much beer. But now its day 3 and the final round of sun and fun. Here's the band list:

• Slayer
• Motley Crue
• Marilyn Manson
• Thievery Corporation
• Feeder

That makes a total of 21 great bands over 3 full days of rockin in the park. I got a free CD, i got a T-shirt, i almost got to play with Green Day, and i ate too many steaks. Yay!

Rock im Park 2005 - day 2

Its saturday and we teamed up with Matt for another day at the festival. Mat is an ex-US Army guy who settled in Germany and also works with Simon.

Today was just awesome with regards bands, quite exhausting too. Here's the list.

• Mando Diao
• Weezer
• Incubus
• Green Day
• R.E.M.
• The Prodigy
• Slipknot
• Apocalyptica

Yes folks, i missed In Flames in favour of The Prodigy. Reason? Well Prodigy only make rare appearances at festivals and dont really have their own concerts, so it would have been a bigger and better opportunity to see them now... or never! As for In Flames, i've committed myself to finding their next concert nearby and going to see them anyway.

Rock im Park 2005 - day 1

The Rock im Park rock festival held in Nürnberg, Germany, every year around this time. For those who have been hiding under a rock for the past 10 years, its a big festival hosted by Mtv which brings together many of the best bands from allover the world in two major locations... Nürnberg being one of them. We were in the Frankenstadion, Zeppelinfield, where uncle Hitler used to stand tall(ish) and address the masses with his cute little moustache.

From the number of skinheads i'd stay times havent changed much, but in the stadium was a much greater variety of people. You had your average rocker dude with iron maiden t-shirt and long hair. You had your skinhead sporting evil tattoos and denim shorts. You had your goth chicks with all the chains and studs and overuse of eyeliner. Plenty of rock sluts to go round too. The occasional reggae bob with marijuana memorabilia and columbian colours. The punks with massive hairstyles and that awful thing they do with an undershave and a long barbetta hanging. And finally there were the neo-goths, my favourite, with a zero-undershave and hitleresque hair to one side, long black PVC overcoat with studs, clips and handles for even the most masochistic of us, and of course the compulsory army-looking badges and boots. So here we are amidst the most colourful people you could ever imagine, with too much beer in our head and 30 degrees of sun to work us into a sweat as we jump around and cheer on our favourite bands.

The festival was spread over 3 main arenas: the Centre Stage which was by far the largest and also had two massive screens on each side; the AlternatStage which was slightly smaller but was even better since the audience stays in a big pit making the stage more visible, and the Talent Forum which was indoors. On the sides were kiosks selling food, drink and festival memorabilia which of course i had to burn some cash on.

Now for the bands... day 1 of the festival was already a great start as we managed to see:

• HIM
• the Chemical Brothers
• Fettes Brot
• Wir Sind Helden
• Sohne Mannheims
• Silbermond
• Adam Green

Unfortunately i missed Velvet Revolver (Slash's band, ex guns n roses) and Mastodon/Meshuggah due to timing. Oh well.

Best performance of the day has to be The Chemical Brothers. Maaaan what a show, they started around midnight and the place was packed.. played an awesome set with some really blasting beats and some really cool visual effects to go with them. Awesome.

Nürnberg

Here i was in Nurnberg with Simon Vella, whom you might know as Malta's upcoming electric violin star. I was staying at his place in Cadolzburg during the festival... not that we spent much time at home. Before the festival started, we went on a little tour of the city which is very picturesque with its old buildings, parks and castles. I was surprised to find bustling streets and a busy market square, as it was only friday morning. We had some Bratwurst and headed over to the local pub for a drink, before venturing off to the festival itself.

Worth mentioning was this small bar we went to. Its one of the oldest bars in the city (since 1050) and is Nürnberg's most famous brewery. We ordered some nice big pints of the dark stuff and tried out various beers of different flavours, which i must say were damn good. Couldnt help buying a few bottles and a giant 1 litre ceramic mug for those heavy viking nights. Talking about beer, dont forget to check out my Beer Garden page at http://thebeergarden.blogspot.com/ where i'm listing all the beer i've tasted around the world. Feel free to email me any i've forgotten!

Bavarian Sunrise

Crossing the border between Denmark and Germany, i was treated to a beautiful display of colours in the Bavarian countryside. Around 4am, and my night train had already been traveling for 10 hours, and the sun began to rise from behind the distant hills. Red, orange and yellow, the sky was alight with the colours of yet another morning, whilst the green rolling hills peeked out of the thick mist which settled between the lower patches. This was Deutschland, and I was heading to Nürnberg for the 3-day Rock im Park festival 2005.