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
![defaulttitle defaultalt](pix/2009//img_9431.jpg)
![Jef Beck's ?!? empty outdoor bar, Awning reads "Caffe Jef" & a Beck's bbeer logo](pix/2009//img_9221.jpg)
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
![defaulttitle defaultalt](pix/2009//img_9240.jpg)
![human warmth young couple snuggling](pix/2009//img_9228.jpg)
![defaulttitle defaultalt](pix/2009//img_9248.jpg)
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.
![The Manger Again manger display from mid-distance](pix/2009//img_9246.jpg)
![bedroom door ahead staris, mirror showing a door](pix/2009//img_9262.jpg)
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