2009 08 02 – Day 37 - Samarkand
I awake in strange surroundings. Cockerels are doing their job somewhere nearby, announcing the imminent arrival of the sun. I'm not Ruslan's house? Beside where I lay on the lovely carpet, someone had kindly left some pavement pizza... nice of them, but I'm not hungry. Something felt different about what I was wearing and it took me a moment or two to work it out.... I didn't have my camera! Before I'd even properly started worrying about that, I realised I didn't have my neck pouch on either! My neck pouch, which had not been off my person since the train in Finland, contained my credit card, debit card, emergency dollars and my visa-filled passport!! Fuuuuck!! Totally awake now and my mind racing, I double check my clothing and immediate vicinity... I still have my wallet with Uzbek Soms and drivers license... that's something I suppose... but no sign of my camera and neck pouch! Surging to my feet I'm rapidly aware that I'm still drunk! I stumble outside into the aftermath of the wedding party. Pre-dawn light casts its clinical gaze over the fallout... seems like it was quite a party! The place is deserted bar a couple of bodies that look like they partied until they dropped and a kid who appears out of nowhere, skips his way around the wreckage and disappears almost as if he were never there. As hard as I try I can't recall enough detail of the night before to even begin to work out what to do next. Fortunately the alcohol still in my body talks some sense by deciding for me – back to bed!
It's 5 am, I'm tired, no one else is awake or speaks English, I've no idea where I am or where my camera, bank cards or visa-filled passport are... thankfully my drunkeness protects me from the full impact of this disaster scenario and I find myself chuckling at the ridiculousness of the situation as I settle back down next my pizza, somehow convinced that it'll all be ok after a nap!
Showing posts with label party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label party. Show all posts
Monday, 17 May 2010
Uzbek Wedding
2009 08 01 – Day 36 - Samarkand
Just like in all the TV travel shows, there just happened to be a wedding in the village involving one of Ruslan's many relatives, so naturally I was invited to join in the merriment.
Normally I'd wear something a bit smarter for a wedding, but Ruslan was convinced that what I was wearing was fine and so, since he was my guide and means of access to the rest of my wardrobe back at the hotel, I deferred to his judgement.
As the remaining daylight drains from the sky, so the guests numbers rise and the party gets started.
The seating arrangements seemed to be on a sex segregation per table basis, but other than that it was unclear if there was any particular formula for who sat where. This fine selection of villagers, friends and family at my table, non of whom spoke English, took me under their wing and made sure my vodka dish was never dry....
and that I emptied it...
regularly!
Well lubricated by now, I was easily persuaded to follow the tradition of giving tips to this young lady shaking her thing around the reception... whose idea it was that I should join her in the process, I don't recall, but as the token novelty foreigner there, it was my duty surely?
No doubt due to the beers and vodka I'd consumed earlier in the day with Ruslan and friends, and reinforced by the endless and enthusiastic supply of vodka at the party, there's not much more I remember from the night! I don't know who the bride and groom were, when they arrived, how late the party went on or what the band sounded like!
Just like in all the TV travel shows, there just happened to be a wedding in the village involving one of Ruslan's many relatives, so naturally I was invited to join in the merriment.
Normally I'd wear something a bit smarter for a wedding, but Ruslan was convinced that what I was wearing was fine and so, since he was my guide and means of access to the rest of my wardrobe back at the hotel, I deferred to his judgement.
As the remaining daylight drains from the sky, so the guests numbers rise and the party gets started.
The seating arrangements seemed to be on a sex segregation per table basis, but other than that it was unclear if there was any particular formula for who sat where. This fine selection of villagers, friends and family at my table, non of whom spoke English, took me under their wing and made sure my vodka dish was never dry....
and that I emptied it...
regularly!
Well lubricated by now, I was easily persuaded to follow the tradition of giving tips to this young lady shaking her thing around the reception... whose idea it was that I should join her in the process, I don't recall, but as the token novelty foreigner there, it was my duty surely?
No doubt due to the beers and vodka I'd consumed earlier in the day with Ruslan and friends, and reinforced by the endless and enthusiastic supply of vodka at the party, there's not much more I remember from the night! I don't know who the bride and groom were, when they arrived, how late the party went on or what the band sounded like!
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Crew Party
2009 07 12 – Day 16 – St Petersburg
A big party was held on the beach in front of the Peter & Paul fortress. It could have been quite good if it hadn't been for the worst bar management I've ever seen! Given that there were hundreds of thirsty sailors and each with enough tokens for 3 free beers, I don't think 2 bars with 6 staff between them was enough... epecially when it was slowly poured draught beer and they let some genius order for his whole crew! After 20 mins being pressure cooked by the heaving mass by the bar, who seemed oblivious to the fact they'd be waiting for days at this rate, I squeezed out, barely alive, threw my tokens at the nearest infant, got myself a free water or three and went off to dance!
The music could have been better too, half the time it was dodgey Russian techno but at least it was upbeat. I think it's the first time I've been on a dancefloor where all those dancing were at the back... because the front was occupied by transfixed seaman, bamboozled by the on-stage gogo girls...
...seemed like a particularly Russian addition to a party.
Managed to still have a good time boogying with some of my crewmates.
Positivity & enthusiasm wins the day.
A big party was held on the beach in front of the Peter & Paul fortress. It could have been quite good if it hadn't been for the worst bar management I've ever seen! Given that there were hundreds of thirsty sailors and each with enough tokens for 3 free beers, I don't think 2 bars with 6 staff between them was enough... epecially when it was slowly poured draught beer and they let some genius order for his whole crew! After 20 mins being pressure cooked by the heaving mass by the bar, who seemed oblivious to the fact they'd be waiting for days at this rate, I squeezed out, barely alive, threw my tokens at the nearest infant, got myself a free water or three and went off to dance!
The music could have been better too, half the time it was dodgey Russian techno but at least it was upbeat. I think it's the first time I've been on a dancefloor where all those dancing were at the back... because the front was occupied by transfixed seaman, bamboozled by the on-stage gogo girls...
...seemed like a particularly Russian addition to a party.
Managed to still have a good time boogying with some of my crewmates.
Positivity & enthusiasm wins the day.
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