Neon Is Back!
Trip Start
Oct 01, 2007
1
48
81
Trip End
Oct 01, 2008
Sydney,
Australia
Saturday, March 8, 2008
The day started off with a blueberry muffin and a small coffee, perfect and statisfying. Not to say the end was to be any different but the middle is where it got a little fuzy. Rory and I were ready to play ball at noon and Scott was just about to join the game. We hopped in a cab when he arrived and embarked on our much looked forward to day in the sun.
The entrance gate was a maze of people, mostly in their 20s, piling through towards the beats. I started to take notice to the attire sported by all the dazed and confused fans and to my shock - neon was back! There were neon dresses, neon shirts, bright pink belts and flamboyant skirts. Boys in pink glasses and girls with green lashes. Uddles of men with their neon-clad lasses. Colors and colors flashed about in the mix. I even saw gellies, shirt ties and glow stix. And what to my wandering eyes did appear? But high waisted pants, only my biggest fear! Please god, of please god, this cannot be true. Please tell me it's not back in the United State too! I ran and I ran through the florescent crowd and .......CRASH! Is that a drug dog I see???
Contrary to what most may think, these little muts with their tricks for their treats are much better than we would ever imagine. I saw about 15 people in 30 minutes get pulled over by dogs on their way into the festival. Most with very little of anything at all. I was shocked at the display and wondered when this would start to happen in the states if not already. Maybe in a moment of weakness or a soft spot in one of the officers, most of the criminals/cool, fun, party people were still let into the show. But enough of this downer story - on to the fun!
The festival took place on a racetrack similar to the one in Del Mar. A few carnival rides and a ferris wheel were also set up for the smiling little ravers. We spent most of the day walking from stadge to stadge, dancing, singing, drinking, commenting on clothing choices, and eventually feeling quite old. Rory called it the largest gathering of hot young women he's ever scene. I suppose you could call it that if you like neon green vans, high waisted shorts with buttons up the front and suspenders. I would opt for something a little more classy and a little less...well, ugly, non-flattering, horrid, etc... pick one. (but then again, I may just be jealous that I'm not 19 anymore)
The headliner Chemical Brothers was not exactly our style. Roger Sanchez didn't even pull out a good one for us. We spent most of our time listening to Laidback Luke and, well, who the hell knows. You don't really need to pay attention when you have Scott to follow around. Late afternoon and early evening were the most crowded. I'd say about 75,000 people. Jam packed. One of the stadges was inside a circular dome shaped structure with a dance floor taped to the ground. The light show reflected over the dome which made this my favorite spot to dance. This is also the area where I was introduced to the Melbourne Shuffle.
The Melbourne Shuffle - orginated in Melbourne in 1864. The Germans discovered it and the name translates to mean "wounded duck", or "retarded duck." No - seriously. As I was flying high around the dance floor making friends and best buddies along the way, I encountered two neon wearing fairies who were more than excited to teach me their moves. The basic idea is to keep one foot grounded while the other moves around, first stomping down in front after wildly kicking sideways only then to shoot straight out back and stomp down on the side. You can do as many kick boxing moves as you like and then switch to the other. The real talent here is to make it look like you know what you're doing, think you're the coolest dancer in the room, and not loose your balence all while jerking around like a retarded duck. I made a point to perfect my Melbourne Shuffle so that I will be able to share it with everyone when we get home. Watch out San Diego! There's a new kid in town.
The festival was over by 10pm, but we were already in high pursuit of another club and an ice cold beer. Showers all around and a bit of a sit to ease our aching legs and we headed down the street from our hostel to a club called The Cross. Rory and I didn't last much longer and hit the sack around 2am. We were woken by Scott at 4:30am to get ready for our 6:30am flight to Melbourne. As you can imagine, it was a wicked morning.
