All it ever does is rain

It was yesterday

Raki 2

(before) (after) (wine) (raki) (ouzo) (football) and then the barman said to me : "no no no, you're not leaving. I drink, you drink !" O. M. G. ... I guess they were very happy Italy won (lucky me, I'm still French) ...

Tourism in Crete

I know where I'm going ...

Raki in Ramaniana

I just decided to spend some time on holiday, the first one since June 2009 when I went to Cabo de Gata in Spain. Because it is short notice, I looked where it is easy to fly from Berlin and also what is not too expensive for a few days. My choice went to Creta, island with the airport of Heraklion. The place I booked is far west of the airport and I needed today almost 5 hours to reach but It’s worth a visit. Ok, It’s not a trendy place and no one there is partying all night long. Just a few foreigners like me, probably lost or just intrigued or, like the English couple from Brighton I met at the dinner table, for the 5th time on this island and still enjoying it. It’s rural, no great expectations whatsoever but a lovely place to be when the only thing you’re looking for is quiet and peace. People here are very friendly and their hospitality is an honour. My host kissed me on my arrival, gave me some iced coffee (I love that), picking apricots from the tree. Already at the beach, where there is 10th of kilometers of loneliness, a guy layed next to me naked (ok, I’m not a virgin but who cares ?) and started a talk saying that water was cold (really ?). Outside is 35°C and the water is as warm, pure and cristaline, sun at his max and openly blue sky. Anyway, there was no sign of anything else. I know that here, being gay must be quite difficult because of the patriarchal society, I’ll come to it later with another example. Coming back from the beach, posted some pictures on Facebook just to say to my friends this is pure holiday, and It was almost 10:00 p.m. Maybe It’s time for dinner. Where I stay, there is nothing much, maybe 2 taverns not very far from each other and probably offering the same food. Nevertheless, my choice went to the opposite one from the place I stay, unfortunatly on the road, so I had the „chance“ to count every car and bus passing by. I ordered some Lamm and the ritual started. I thought for a while, I was back to Italy, just because the guy was bringing at my table some glass of apéritif, when I asked for nothing, stating that the red wine I ordered was decanting (really ?). Then he put on the table some delicious grilled bread toasted with garlic and herbs, then after I almost drank half of the 50cl of my wine, came my meal, well sorry, actually came 2 of them. One lamm, one chicken. The guy said that because I arrived late, the kitchen made 2 portions instead of one and I can taste both of them. Tasty indeed. But as I said, in Italy, everything that is brought to you at the table, even if you didn’t order it, is charged and I was afraid when I would ask for the check, that everything would have been put on the bill. But no. When I asked for the check (12€ !), the patriarch came with a delicious dessert made of cream and prunes and beside of that, brought as well the bottle of raki, local specialty, like schnaps or the „one for the road“. The English couple sitting next to me were already gone (in every way you can imagine), having had a very strong discussion with the waiter, dramatically friendly, explaining every story of each wine and alcohol he brought at the table. While this was happening, I had a look opposite where there is a kiosk where they sell cigarettes and ice cream. Some young people were meeting there, one come, one leaves, some other just passing by saying hello, taking some ice cream on the way (free of charge) and chating in a friendly way. When I say friendly, It’s very friendly. In Berlin, Paris or Barcelona, you would never see something like that. I guess, the only time I saw this king of friendliness was in India. I remember at a stop in the middle of the desert having seen my driver (I was not allowed to drive in India) being so happy to meet his „friend“ and going hand in hand along the walk. It’s not for disturbing me, on the contrary, but when I asked him about the situation, he answered vaguely that, no, no way, no gay attitude, just happy to meet a friend. My point is, when you’re traveling, you have to forget about anything you know and make your conscience clear, to be able to learn something new. What happened this evening in front of me is the following : The guys met one by one, arriving either with the car or the motorbike. One arrived in a Mini, (which car is more gay than this one ?), and another one came in a big 4x4 (trust me, he’s the bottom). This latest one arrived, started to simulate a fight with the other one, as of to provoque him but more than that, It was more a game of „master and servant“. When the muscled one responded to the game, he just put his friend on his knee, simulating whatever you think that is. Carrying on with the game, when the muscled one had a call on the mobile and the other one provoqued him further during his call, the fist one came after him, on his back and simulated (again) whatever (again) you can imagine. Nobody saw this or didn’t pay attention, probably. „I’m the only gay in the village“ as would say the famous Little Britain, but I was very interested watching that scene. It’s very interesting to look which behaviour belongs to those patriarchal society where being gay is accepted by the law but can’t be an option for the men. When I left after a few drinks of Raki, back to my place, here I am, at past 11:30 p.m., still only wearing a tee, outside on the terrace, listening to all the noises of the night that the landscape can bring, in a black night full of stars, cooling down the room, and drinking nothing else than water. Lucky me, I still have my cigs. You know what: something else : there is no wind anymore, meaning tomorrow is hotter : expected 38°C. Someone’s listening the 9th of Beethoven.

Love as much as you can

Every year, one of the highlight is the Transgeniale in Berlin. There is the same day the official CSD which I find boring commercial. I heard even Mercedes demonstrate (?) this year. So not interested. If you want to protest for a cause or at least shows your support, go where It's worth together with having a good time. I really love this time of the year when everyone looks happy and ready to show good feelings. Don't miss it if you're around.

Transgeniale

Friends

I have to make myself new friends because all the ones I have are gone

Warm

I thought I could finally leave the leather jacket at home, mid-June : I was wrong.

All it ever does is rain

Saturday : european song contest "France"

Another song

There'll be another song for me
and I will sing it
there'll be another dream for me
someone will bring it
I will drink the wine while it is warn
and never let you catch me
looking at the sun, oh yeah
and after all the loves of my life
after all loves in my life
you'll be the one

I will take my life into my hands
and I will use it
I will win the worship in their eyes
and I will lose it
I will have the things that I desire
and my passion flow
like rivers through the sky
oh and after all the loves in my life
after all the loves in my life
you'll still be the one
and I'll ask myself why.

Youth

Well, It's like my youth is dying : Donna Summer last week and Robin Gibb this week, A part of me is gone now.

RIP (a week after)

RIP

Prora

 While I was at the Propanganda night at the Liebe Filme festival (was before Verzaubert but come again in November), the first movie was a swiss one, called "Prora". What a strange name I thought for a film but then I understood. Prora is a place. Prora is a beach resort on the island of Rügen, Germany, known especially for its colossal Nazi-planned tourist structures. The massive building complex was built between 1936 and 1939 as a Strength Through Joy (Kraft durch Freude or KdF) project. The eight buildings are identical, and although they were planned as a holiday resort, they were never used for this purpose. The complex has a formal heritage listing as a particularly striking example of Third Reich architecture.  Dr. Robert Ley envisaged Prora as a parallel to Butlins - British "holiday camps" designed to provide affordable holidays for the average worker. Prora was designed to house 20,000 holidaymakers, under the ideal that every worker deserved a holiday at the beach. Designed by Clemens Klotz (1886–1969), all rooms were planned to overlook the sea, while corridors and sanitation are located on the land side. Each room of 5 by 2.5 metres (16'5" x 8'3") was to have two beds, an armoire (wardrobe) and a sink. There were communal toilets and showers and ballrooms on each floor. The plan for Prora were much more ambitious. He wanted a gigantic sea resort, the "most mighty and large one to ever have existed", holding 20,000 beds. In the middle, a massive building was to be erected. At the same time, Hitler wanted it to be convertible into a military hospital in case of war. Hitler insisted that the plans of a massive indoor arena by architect Erich Putlitz be included. Putlitz's Festival Hall was intended to be able to accommodate all 20,000 guests at the same time. His plans included two wave-swimming pools and a theatre. A large dock for passenger ships was also planned. In late 2008, plans were approved to have Prora fill its original purpose and to turn it into a modern tourist resort. The council set out plans to build enough living space to house 3,000 people, as well as a youth hotel and amenities for tourists. Kerstin Kassner, a local councillor, compared Prora's shore with a "Caribbean beach." However, the decision met with some scepticism from Binz locals, who felt that there were already too many tourists in the region, and Heike Tagsold, a Prora historian, who said that the town's past made it an inappropriate location for tourists. Nevertheless, in 2011 the largest youth hostel of Germany was opened in one of the blocks and enjoys great popularity. Possible expansion of the facility that is also available for budget tourists is envisaged. And here I am. Sunday afternoon, I decided spontaneously to go there. Just went to the station and bought the ticket, called the newly opened youth hotel if they had a spare room and went there. Of course, It's empty because It's no summer time nor weather but I'm lucky. Sun and blue sky, wind of course but I don't complain. I wanted to go away a bit from the city and It was a good decision. I'm going for a walk now and take some pictures.

Harry Poter, the last one

I just saw last evening the last Harry Potter. It’s like living someone you met years ago and watched  him growing up and know that you will never see him again. I didn’t read the books (or maybe one), but fans expect always that the director puts in images what they read and what their imagination created. In fact, I heard It is the fact, maybe outside the previous episode which was very disappointing (prince of something, can’t remember). Anyway, the first part of the last episode, unfortunately, I completely passed in theatres and watched it on my computer screen, which was ok but not very thrilling. So I wanted to see this very last movie in good conditions, in 3D (It’s trendy today), booked my seat well located, far from screen, high, bought my ice cream and lemonade, not too late in the evening so I can still focus and here we go ! It’s disturbing in a way because we go immediately in the story when I was expecting a few seconds of the previous one, just as reminder, but not at all. Of course, Harry can’t die, of course the angry one will disappear, of course my beloved cute Ron will not have sex with me (I have a little something for red head) but will kiss Hermine (since the time we are awaiting and expecting it) and everything is going to be ok. In the end, no surprise, I liked the 3D because it was not a following of images bouncing in and hurting your eyes. And we noticed that we (people at the cinema) all grew up and there were no children in there but only people our age. It’s not that I was expecting an action movie but Ron and Hermine kissing in the middle of the battle or waiting calmly down the stairs that Harry comes back is surprising. Furthermore, I had the feeling that everyone fights when the three of them have really something else to do (is also true). When the story comes to an end, suddenly we make a jump 19 years forward and we learn that the story continues with the children departing on the platform kissing goodbye their parents and listening to the last advice (Ron, yes, you look fine with the beard). Anytime soon, I’m sure, they will make a Harry Potter jr, the son of his father, probably with more special effects.