Love Parade Gone Wrong.

Hello! Sorry for the lack of updates but since we were away, i used it as an excuse to getaway from work as well the need to do a daily update. We actually came back on Sunday but i'm just taking my sweet time to collect my thoughts.

And sifting through over a thousand pictures i took and finding just a "few" that best describe our 9 days away is proving to be hard but i know it has to be done. I will be back with a proper update.

The last 4 weeks have been a whirlwind of activies and family reunions.

And a last minute decision made us make a detour before heading home to two very missed kitties.


So the Love Parade was on in Duisburg and seeing that it was sort of on the way home, we thought we'd check it out. We had gone to the Love Parade in Dortmund two years ago and had lots of fun, so we thought, why not!?

An early check-out at our very homey service apartment meant our eyes were half closed by the time we were half way to Duisburg. The drive was only two hours but we were tired. So J made an impulsive decision to stop at one of the rest stops along the highway and we both passed out for just over an hour.

During which time that one hour nap and detour to pick up a friends' friend probably ended up saving us from being tangled up in that stampede that killed twenty in the tunnel leading to the Love Parade.

You can read about how the event unfolded here. Or reports here, here and here. You can even watch videos that witnesses have uploaded on YouTube.

I still can't believe that that many people were stuck in that tunnel leading to the venue. The images floating around on the Internet are shocking. I can't even begin to fathom what it must have been like for those being trampled on. I'm not good with small spaces and being so small, i'm sure i wouldn't be able to handle the lack of space/air but then again, who could?


The minute we arrived they had barricaded the street leading to the tunnel/bridges and you could hear the Police on the loudspeaker telling people to go home as the area was full.

We had no idea how packed it really was, we were simply following the mass crowd ahead. Behind us the cross-section was slowly filling up.


The sound of an overhead helicopter, police sirens and ambulances trying to fight their way through the crowd echoed. One could only describe the area as chaotic.

The streets leading to where we were, were lined with Police vans.

At that time we didn't know that there was only one entrance, so we walked back thinking we could find another entrance, only to be told by the Security that there was only one, so we walked back to where we were stopped.

One entry and exit for that many visitors? That's crazy! Who agreed to that stupid idea? An estimated 1,4 million people turned up during the course of the day and the actual Love Parade area was only supposed to hold 250,000.

What the... ?


By the time we got back the area we were at was packed! There was a stream of people exiting. Some had no shoes on and others were piggybacked out looking quite exhausted.

Some looked bothered. Others looked lost and confused. And some were voicing out their anger about how poorly organised the Love Parade was.

We eventually turned back and headed back to the car only to hear on the radio that so far ten people had died. We counted our lucky stars that we took that nap at the Rest Stop, otherwise, who knows what would have had happened and where we would have ended up at.

***

Turned out 20 21 people between the ages of 18 and 38 died and over 500 were injured.

And although there are some people, who aren't as affected by what had happened, i can't help but get upset and cry each time i watch the news coverage and the YouTube videos. Maybe it's because i was there and saw the ambulances rush out. Or maybe knowing how close we were to being in that mess just simply scares me.

I dunno. Maybe i'm just over sensitive.

I'm sad for those people who lost their lives. And what was meant to be a happy event turned out a nightmare for many. Or worse, even cost them their lives.

May their souls rest in peace.

Ruhr in Love Weekend

Between juggling trying to get work done and sorting out the apartment ready for the arrival of Little L, why does it feel like there isn't enough hours in the day? J's daughter arrives from Ireland tomorrow and we need to reorganise my Work room so it looks more like a Child's room.

We're going into the cellar later and pulling out the boxes marked with her name. It's her first time here since we just moved here last year, so we're rearranging her things so she feels a little more comfortable. It's amazing how much crap can accumulate over the months.

Wow. Has it nearly been 9 months already since we moved here?

Anyway, a quick post about my weekend since i'm a bit slacking in the blog entries and i have a long list of THINGS TO DO today.


On Saturday, J and i drove to Ruhr in Love in Oberhausen. I had to order the tickets online and they had them delivered a few days later.

It started at noon and went on to 10pm. It's a huge electronic dance festival which says to attract over 40,000 people each year. There are different areas and each showcases local DJs from various clubs around Germany. Playing different genres ranging from Minimal to Schranz.

So anyway the drive took us about an hour and half, which normally wouldn't feel so long but when you don't have air-con in your car and it's nearing the 30˚C mark, it can get a bit uncomfortable.

By the time we got there it was around 4:30PM. The sun was out in full glory and so were peoples' sun burns.

Some ran around in bikini tops and short shorts...

and a handful even came matching from head to toe.

I think this was the main stage area. It was mainly commercial House - one that i didn't like at all. There were too many people and the music was... well... not to my taste.

But they did have pretty decor.

One guy came fully prepared with a Sombrero. I'm sure his mates made fun of him before he got there but going by how hot it was, i'm sure he was the envied by many.

There were enough toilets plotted around the area and the one that i went into even had toilet paper! And it wasn't even the recycled rough-as-sand-paper kind either. I was impressed.

There was a huge crane that brought you up and you could even bungee jump. We didn't but some did.

There was also this drain that snaked through the park, that looked and probably was really dirty. But people were standing and dancing in there. It was really gross.

I thought drinks were a bit expensive. 90 cents per coupon and if you return the can or plastic cup you get one coupon back. A really small beer would cost 4 coupons. The wait was so long that by the time you got your drink, you'd be done with it in no time. They also ran out of water.

How can they run out of drinking water at a festival?

It's no wonder people were drinking the water near the loos. It clearly states "Kein Trinkwasser" which means Not for Drinking but i don't think they cared so much. I wondered if they fell sick the next day?

Then J and i got our photo taken by one of the many photographers there, this one is by Sonic Warrior and was taken just outside the Abstract Area which played Hard Trance and that's where i spent most of my time.

And directly behind me was the Rhein-Piraten area which played more Minimal Techno and that's where J hung out.

click to view larger

Overall, i had a good time and it worked our really good that the areas were right next to each other. We could listen and dance to what we liked without worrying that the other wasn't having fun and we were only a few metres away from one another.


When the event finished we ended up checking out the after-party at Turbinehalle. The place wasn't full but it did feel like a Sauna - i must have represented Sweat Ville to the Maximus, i was SO sweaty! The music was alright, although i'm not sure whether we'd drive the distance just to go to that club. That far, we might as well drive to Duesseldorf which is just another 30 minutes further.

Anyway, starting from tomorrow, July is fully booked with activities.

Not only do i have another deadline coming up next week but Little L comes to stay for 2 weeks which means we're going to do lots of outdoor things. Then on the 15th J and i are driving down to Wiesbaden to see my parents who are flying in on the 16th and we're staying for 10 days.

Yup, Summer 2010 is looking good.

Citizen M & In Qontrol 2010

It took us 3 hours to drive to Amsterdam and the weather over the weekend couldn't have been any better. Blue skies and sunshine. I even managed to run around with a singlet on for most of the day because the weather was so nice.

The night before i was frantically looking for an affordable room to stay at because the bed & breakfast we originally wanted was overbooked because of the volcano eruption. The previous guest was forced to stay another few nights because their flight was cancelled.

But i managed to get a room at Citizen M Hotel. And in order to make an online booking, you need a valid credit card. It's one of those self check-in places and once you arrive you can either pay by credit card or EC-card. No cash or traveller's cheques. Hotel facts here.

Citizen M Hotel was one of those modern designed hotels but considering how many awards it had won, it was surprisingly cheap. It was directly opposite the World Trade Centre and walking distance to the Rai. Definitely a plus point since our whole reason for being there was to go to the Rai. And to get to the city centre or Red Light district, you just had to jump on the #5 tram and it'll take you there in 15 minutes.

Instead of the pay-per-person policy that most places seem to have in Europe, Citizen M Hotel was a pay-per-room. And if you want to extend your check-out time, you just indicate that on the touch screen check-in screen and pay extra.

While waiting for the elevator you could even flip through an oversized picture book.

The room itself was relatively small but they utilized the space quite well. The room had an open concept with a 2 meter by 2 meter, massive XL King size bed with lots of fluffy pillows waiting at the end. It looked like the toilet was standing on the side of the room but it had frosted glass doors that would slide around you so you could have some privacy. There was a sheer curtain that separated the bathroom area to the bed.

The rain shower was impressive with its' slow changing colored lights above. Definitely a room for couples' or at least for friends who don't mind seeing the other showering.

Everything was thought through, even down to the hand soap. I liked how everything was typography-based and each piece had a story to tell.

In each room there was a touch-screen mood pad that you could change the channels, adjust the blinds and lights with.

So after fiddling around with all the gadgets, i was keen to look at the lobby again.

It had several lounge sections, where guests could watch some news or choose one of many design/fashion books on the shelves to flip through. There was a bar/restaurant where you could get a quick meal.

You could even use one of the i-Macs for free to surf the net or check your mail. Or if you have your own laptop, use the free WiFi in your room.

And i found this pen...

It was begging me to take it home. And so i did. *grins*

Parking in Amsterdam is generally really expensive. For 1 hour it costs 3 Euros and if you're directly in the city, expect to pay 5 Euros an hour. It's insane how expensive it is. No wonder so many people ride bicycles there. We decided to buy time by driving into the city and have a walk around. But after getting lost and eventually finding a parking space, we were only able to walk around for half hour before we realised we had to be back at the hotel so we could rest.

...

Tickets for In Qontrol (Q-dance's Indoor Hardstyle/Hardcore event) courtesy of Supastar.

10pm and we're in the lift and on our way to the venue.

A quick short cut through the park and you're at the Rai convention centre. All you have to do is follow the bass, it was that loud you could hear it from outside.

Once you pass through the gates, they scan your ticket. Then up the stairs you go...

Turn the corner and this was the locker area where you could put your bags and jackets. The area was huge!

There were 4 areas you could choose from...

The floor plan and schedule was handed out at the door. I checked the timetable and i couldn't help but feel sad for Hoong and Nick who were scheduled to play at 11.30pm in The Imperial Greenhouse Institute Room but couldn't make it cause of the stupid volcanic ash cloud. Bass Agents was then replaced by Alphaverb :(

1 coupon = Beer = 2.50 Euros. The cheapest drink there.

But the venue was massive and to get from one end to another would take you at least 15 minutes. When we arrived Dock45 were playing. We ended up spending majority of the whole time at the Third Millennium Society [main stage] area.

But it didn't take long for the main area to fill up. J and i kept moving around to find a better spot.

Fausto & Artento Divini

Coone Vs. Isaac

And here's a Youtube vid i found of the intro to Coone and Isaac's set.

Saw DJ Stephanie for the first time. I don't have any photos of her because i was busy dancing but she really got the crowd going. I found this Youtube vid of her filmed from behind the decks. Check out the crowd and it wasn't even mid-night yet. I still can't believe i was actually there. Crazy shit.

But i have to say, i really liked her set! And would definitely make an effort to go see her again.

We eventually made our way back to The Imperial Greenhouse Institute where Bass Agents were meant to play at to see what it was like.

And spotted one of the guys in the crowd wearing a Bass Agents T-shirt.

I was feeling friendly and so i went up to him and asked if i could take a photo of him. I don't know what happened but i ended up taking a photo with him. I wonder if he thought i was weird for asking.

And if my ears served me correctly, i think his name was Bon.

By the time we got back to the main stage, the area was packed!

But i have to applaud Q-dance for such a top quality event. There were no long waits and everybody was super friendly. Drinks were affordable. The toilet cubicles were in decent condition considering the number of people that were there. And each time i went to the loo, there was toilet paper inside. Nice.

♥

Overall, J and i had an awesome time and it was probably the most fun i've had in ages.

Although at one point we lost one another because i went to the loo and when i came back the place had filled up so much, that when i returned to the place where i thought we were at, he was gone. Half an hour later, we eventually found each other and after that we never left each others' sides.

But during our separation, instead of panicking because i lost him, i just thought i'd have a bit of a dance before i continued on with my search. Then one of the camera crews who were filming the crowd, stopped beside me and filmed me.

*gasps*

OMG! I just hope i didn't look stupid. I wonder if that means there might be a snippet of me in the DVD or after movie?

Hmmm.

Anyway, Headhunterz and Noisecontrollers were insane. By 5:00 or so i was so tired my legs could barely function but i soldiered on until closing even though i couldn't dance anymore. Those hardcore fans were going crazy by the time Noisecontrollers came on. Seriously, where do they get their energy from!?

When it was getting close to the end, DV8, the MC for Noisecontrollers, managed to pull off the biggest sit down in Q-dance history. J and i joined in too, then jumped right up just as Noisecontrollers started up again. Truly a great sight to see for all those who were there.

By 7:30am we made our way back to the hotel. Exhausted and looking forward to some shuteye before our late check-out and our drive back home.

...

Here are some links of some photos i managed to find of the event:

Q-dance

Mittnick.nl's flicker

And i also stumbled upon Phillow's video log of the event, which is far better than still shots. Watch it here.

I can't wait to see the official Q-dance after movie and i'm definitely going to buy the DVD when it comes out. Kudos to Q-dance for such a great event. Loved every minute of it!

Amsterdam, we will be back!