Arrived at the Ruhr 2010 grounds

After a successful lift the caravan has arrived in dark and (again white) Essen. I was told by email that the festival grounds would be huge, just outside the city. It gave me a sort of pop festival feeling, and indeed, the grounds are enourmous! A large former industrial estate with well-lit buildings, tents, laser and light shows. Exciting. I wonder if we’ll be able to get in, as I do not an official invitation. At the entrance we are stopped by a barrier and two German guards.

Unfortunately, there is no way they are going to let us in, but after my friendly explanation, in my best bad German, they suddenly let us pass. Success! I immediately become a little reckless (”We will put this caravan in the best spot!”) and direct us to the hotspot of the terrain, where complete bomb-squads are preparing the area for German President Merkel’s visit tomorrow. I try to explain them the ‘Guest-Host’ theme of Ruhr2010, but the Head of Security tells me that his ‘Safety’ theme is even more important. So, I am now finding myself in a dark spot, just outside the festival grounds, in a sort of shrubbed alley, listening to an orchestra rehearsing ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ while I am typing this. A good melody to take to bed after a turbulent week. Goodnight to you all!