The Hanover 13

So the trip did not quite end at 33 hours.

I took 48, including a nice night spent on a pavement.

Due to,
(a) one bus driver being confused
(b) another bus driver not at all caring if he lets 7 young adults, 2 middle agers, 3 children and 1 old lady, stand in the rain/making sure that they would not do so forever (or indicating a time that they may be allowed to stop doing so)


We, the famous Hanover 13, ended up standing in the drizzle for, what could very well have been, forever.



Eurolines did really not care, and after three phonecalls we kind of gave up on that option.


It was only when the local office (read ticket selling shack) opened and we were able to get into touch with the very angry Olga that things started to turn around. I collected the names of the legendary dussin and one and managed to get us free tickets from the Hanover to Hamburg bus stations, I also managed to get replacement train-tickets from Eurolines for the family of 5 that missed their train due to their malevolent incompentcy. Last on my procurement list was free storage space for mine (5 bags) and the rest of the dussin*2's baggage in Hamburg, where I am actually writing this on a internet cafe. (I am quite proud, was a bit worried that can do attitude and smiles were not going to a be a potent weapon outside the hallow walls of York). The old lady actually called me Captain, that was the definite highlight of the trip so far. Which I am actually surprised to report, has been pleasant. Met some real characters in my new dussin fellow stranded.

Bus for Copenhagen will leave shortly. So I shall be off.

The End of the End

Welcome to my blog!

The Courtyard (student venue) is deserted,

My two assistant managers (bosses) are looking at me from behind the bar.

> Meaning: you should not be sitting behind the DJ-desk all day.
> Their smiles: it is absolutely fine.
> Reason: the total customer count is currently less than the three staff on duty.

Quite the difference from 'business as usual', as it is during term time, often 3 people deep queues in the bar, 5.5h's of running from the kitchen to the floor, food ordered go out, back to the bar, pour pints, run out again. Repeat.

A desert island

The same difference can be noted across campus. Had a quiet walk around the accommodation blocks today. The expected debris of 3.500 (or so) freshers living in their quarters still visible as the cleaning army has yet to get to Langwith. The only thing missing from the scene to make it complete: thousands of happy first years. Loneliness visible. Empty kitchen, halls, rooms. Could cut through the change with a chainsaw. Less than 5 days ago, HUUUGE party, Big D. Everyone drunk, people literally everywhere, people happy, people fornicating in The Quite Place, one of the top event all year, to finish the year off.

For third years, to finish off three years.

York: Amazing

Two weeks ago, Woodstock. The open air music festival. The best time I had in York, probably (it is hard to tell there is a lot to account for).

The Poster

View from Central Hall

Main Stage

"Where the Hell is Woodstock?!"

Now,

133 weeks ago. 930 days. I stepped into B-block Derwent,

Truly the end of an era.