As yesterday was a national holiday in Germany, their version of Labor Day, I spent my morning walking Prenzlauer Berg searching for lunch (which, by the way, took us about 90 minutes) and my evening was spent rioting at MyFest in Kreuzberg. Okay, not really rioting, but going with the intent to see some people riot and the hope to get caught up in it. Death wish I know, but at the same time something I was hoping to experience just once in my life. This, along with teleporting, but that is a whole 'nother ballgame. Xiaochang was not as thrilled (apparently she has already been in some riots) about my desire to dodge rocks and flaming bottles, but came none the less. Before I go into anything, you should read this, which outlines the basis for the festival.
Heading down on the U8 we got off at Kottbusser Tor and although it was still light out and early evening, I noticed the family groups were shuffling out as we walked into the dense crowd. Started off proper as in any festival, with a large bottle of beer and proceeded to squish our way through the large crowd passing by various mix-matched stages playing everything from dark drum n' bass to what I think was Turkish merengue? The streets flowed into each other, and there was a distinct smell of smoky grilled meats, bad cologne, body odor and beer.
Sprawled out on the lawns were punks and generally discontented looking people. I admit I have never been in a crowd like this in my entire life. Wasn't nervous or anxious, just in awe at the sheer number of punk rockers rolling about in the grass and yelling obscenities.
We headed back into the crowds and the next two hours are somewhat of a blur in between being squished in the pack, buying warm large bottles of beer from 12 year olds, jumping around to Turkish merengue, and checking every ten minutes to make sure that my camera hadn't been stolen. Finally after a while, my wish came true but it was kind of weak.
Standing on a pretty empty street off to the side, I stopped to take a picture of this:
I turn around and notice a large crowd of people coming down the street in a full front, all dressed in black, waving flags and chanting about something about Kapitalismus and das Volk? Not sure. Maybe it was the punk band playing at the end of the street they really wanted to go see?
"Hey guys! Let's get in this big line and go give that punk band all our support!"
Okay, probably not. Here is video of me getting knocked into while they charged, and then everyone heading down the street past us. So it wasn't a huge riot, and I didn't have to dodge any flaming bottles or rocks (damn) but I DID get run into. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I feel a little bit more hardcore now.
"Hey guys! Let's get in this big line and go give that punk band all our support!"
Okay, probably not. Here is video of me getting knocked into while they charged, and then everyone heading down the street past us. So it wasn't a huge riot, and I didn't have to dodge any flaming bottles or rocks (damn) but I DID get run into. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I feel a little bit more hardcore now.
After our "brush with death" we made the unwise decision to keep drinking, Xiaochang buying herself a rather large caipirinha which was pure rum and (gasp!) ice. It was at this point we really found ourselves in quite the crowd, worked up by death metal, too much cheap booze and the scent in the air of possible (real) riots. A little uneasiness began to set in and we left. This turned into a good choice, because shortly thereafter, the first stone was thrown.
