Around 7:30 or so pm, the waiter at the wireless cafe explained to me that police had asked that the place, along with others in that corner of the old city, be closed early. The big town gig was to be close by, albeit on the other, outer, side of the walls. At least I think that is the gist of what he was saying. I got the "police" part anyway, and hastened to cooperate.

The Eerie Quiet
defaultalt defaultaltempty outdoor bar, Awning reads "Caffe Jef" & a Beck's bbeer logo
I checked out the main stage outside the walls, but there was no sign of activity, just a lot of cops.

Back in through the gate and explore the old medieval streets, now filled with boutiques, bars, and eateries. The streets were all but deserted, as were the open bars.

Was there some kind of terrorist threat or something that I didn't know about? I assumed from the huge stage near the gates that some sort of countdown gig must be planned, but you'd never guess it from looking around you.

The Early Event
defaultaltmanger scene with lots of lights young couple snugglingdefaultalt
Still I heard loud music coming from somewhere. Working my way toward the farthest and highest corner of the old town, I found it.  A bar had set up their own outdoor stage in front of the inner Citadel. Some anonymous young pop-rock band was playing with gusto.

The crowd wasn't big, but they were enjoying themselves. toddlers, parents, teenagers, thirties folks... I might have been the only guy in his (or from the) sixties, but the demographic sample was too small for that to mean anything.

Young and old seemed to be enjoying themselves. Little kids dancing with their parents or each other, older kids dancing or whatever with each other

Old folks enjoying their beer or whatever.

manger display from mid-distancestaris, mirror showing a door
Now curiously, when you are too old to flirt with women whose flirtations you'd want in return, and unable to drink alcohol, people-watching rises high on your list of solo activities at bars and parties.

I made a go of it, but couldn't get into it tonight.

At about 9:00, I checked the big main stage again, and found the lights being turned on.  To get out of the cold until the main event, I headed back to my room, and prudently plugged in my camera-battery charger.
(Next: the Main Event)


Contents Copyright 2012 Jeff Bulf