Sydney Mardi Gras

The rain has been pouring heaps here last couple of days. Sydney's dam, Warragamba Dam (those funny aboriginals derived names; there's a suburb called Woolloomooloo, and a city called Wagga Wagga ) is even on the verge of spilling. It has reached 98 percent of its capacity. While Sydney usually is struggling with enormous drought during this period of time, leading to water restrictions supply, now floods and evacuations have been reported in several suburbs. As for me, I am not feeling that comfortable with riding my bike to work anymore considering the sky is falling down on my head. Therefore, I've been taking the bus to work lately. A disadvantage, though, is that I have to walk through Oxford Street, Sydney's gay street, to reach my bus stop. Last thursday night on my way home from a long day in the lab, I could not just resist the temptation of going for one drink when I spotted a friend on the terrace of Stonewall. The atmosphere was so nice, as this weekend the Gay festival Sydney Mardi Gras is being held. It is one of the largest of such festivals in the world. So what was supposed to be one drink obviously led to many more. The vibe was so good. My drinks were being paid for. And many overseas travelers were present for this particular event. I even caught myself speaking Swedish at some point. As the night progresses, a drag queen was giving away prices in a lottery setting. You could obtain these tickets by purchasing drinks. Luck was on my side when my ticket number was being announced. I panicked.

I just think that drag queens can be very intimidating. The bar was packed and my number was being re-announced. My friend noticed that it was my ticket number and consequently shouted and pushed me on stage. So there I was, in a packed gay bar in Sydney, on the stage next to one of Australia's most famous drag queens. I thought if I just keep smiling everything will be all right. I just stood there smiling. Even if she would insult me, something drag queens can easily do in a glamourous manner, smiling would be the best response. Though, she was being very friendly. She asked me where I was from on which I replied: Amsterdam!!! (I had this feeling ''Schiedam'' wasn't going to do the trick) The price I won was an awesome shirt with the logo of Mardi Gras (see picture). However, this drag lost all her grace when she whispered in my ear: ''Why don't you come over to my place tonight and I'll shag your brains out''. While smiling, I told her: ''Sorry, I don't swing that way''. That is just not my thing. But nevertheless, my rejection did not get the best of her when she pushed away two guys at the bar who were blocking my way: ''OI!! MOVE!!" Very handy to have a drag queen on your side.

Saturday is the famous Sydney Mardi Gras Parade on Oxf. Street. Unlike many tourists desperately competing for a spot to watch the parade from, I will be viewing the parade at Glamour Bar with my kiwi gal. Apparently her uncle bought these - very expensive - tickets for us. Fabulous!

Glamour bar: This is the most glamorous way to view the parade, within arms reach of the parade. Your entrance ticket to this VIP stand up bar area includes all of your food and drinks for the evening, a raised viewing platform, a DJ performing exclusively for Glamour Bar Zoom guests, and its own toilet amenities. The Glamour Bar menu includes gourmet snacks and canapés served by a team of wait staff and two food stalls offering hand prepared items by special chefs throughout the night. Beer, wine, sparkling wine and soft drinks are all inclusive and served from a number of bars around the Glamour Bar site.

Furthermore...

I have been clean on cookies for five days now...

Therefore, in order to celebrate this,

I am aiming on getting too drunk to blog..!