iki and her dreams

Guy Fawkes night the other day was a crazy experience. We got off the train in Lewes, a small town close to Brighton, and the first thing we saw was a parade of people with torches. We found a nice spot outside a pub and watched several parades with people dressed like indians, like aristocrats in the 1700th century, like prisoners, like zombies... mainly people in striped clothes, referring to Guy Fawkes. Every group was a separate bonfire society, and apparently they spend the whole year planning what to do for the next Guy Fawkes night. Everyone had torches, some carried burning crosses, and lots of people had firecrackers - I was glad I had brought ear plugs. It wasn't like anything I've ever seen. But after a while it got cold, so we went inside the pub, cosily painted in red with dark wooden parts. We never went to see the bonfires, though - we stayed in the pub and then went to the train station to be sure to get home. All roads were closed at 5pm, my supervisor lives in Lewes and had to leave at lunch to be sure to get home, and there are no extra trains despite the invasion of 100 000 - 150 000 visitors. The Lewes Bonfire Society discourages people from visiting the town, and I can see why. But I'm glad we got there :) Here's some pictures...Happy Bonfire Night visitors: Phil (Australia), Claudia (Austria), Hanna (Austria), and Sarah (Italy), all nice colleagues at the Genome Damage and Stability Centre.

The parade is approaching...

... and the whole town participates...

...in amazing costumes!



Firecrackers are for kids...


... just blow up the whole thing! It's Bonfire Night!


However, apparently not everyone went to Lewes. When Phil got home, someone had broken into his appartment and stolen his computer and other valuables. Awful.

I had brunch with Sascha today, she's going to India next week and I'll miss her! It's been nice to talk to someone outside work, someone who cares about the world and questions society. Tonight I'm seeing Katie and Yari for a movie night. We watched Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind earlier this week, I loved it. Tonight's movie is Children of Men. I'm responsible for movies, Yari cooks, and Katie drives people home - perfect division of labor. It's fun watching Katie and Yari interact, they've only known each other for a couple of months but they act as if they're married. They're both great. And I have a good excuse for watching all the classical movies I haven't seen yet.

I was supposed to see Sarah (same Sarah as I went to Lewes with) yesterday, her boyfriend is here visiting but she didn't hear her phone so they went home before I got into town. So I explored Brighton by night.. Those who know me have probably noticed I'm not exceptionally fond of the gender based society we live in, but I must admit, going out alone is a lot more fun for women. There will always be someone talking to you, and since I hardly know anyone here, I appreciate that.. I ended up at Hector's House where a band from Bristol was playing. Not my favourite music, but they were still good and everyone was dancing. I hooked up with a Scottish guy and danced all night. He was a good dancer, maybe I should have asked for his number if I want to go out dancing again, but then again, I'll prefer better music next time :) Both Phil and Ewan at work likes metal, that's a positive surprise.