31.7.2010 von Jean Jacques.

  Once a year during the summer in Hannover, a merry band of artists gather up and set up small stages in the Herrenhausen gardens. Thousands of visitors turn up every evening for the month long performance to meet up with friends, picnic and basically have a good time.

It is a very popular venue, although I am glad I have missed the last 3 years. It tends to be a little too repetitive and I was getting a little fed up seing the same acts.

I was also a little annoyed at the extroardinary length one has to go through to get tickets. And there is something seriously wrong here. Because of the apparent popularity, tickets must be ordered months in advance so that they can be dispensed based on whatever rule by the organizing body. For sure at least 99% of the requestors will not get one of these prized ticket.

No surprise though. Assume you have a party of 10 deciding in February that it might be a good idea to go in the summer. What usually happens is that every single one of the 10 will request at leat 15 tickets each hoping to a few. I know, that is the way we do it.

The problem with that is that the organizers are claiming a huge demand. How they distribute the available places is a mistery. Prices of course go up as well. All a bit crazy for something which is nice but not worth all that effort.

Anyway, as usual one of of got the 15 tickets and we made it.

Having not been for the last 3 summers, they were at least 3 new artists. The atmosphere is good though. Crowds have a pre-set itinary and rush from one stage to the other, usually getting lost on the way. As a result, it is rarely possible to see more than 3 shows.

But who cares, the atmosphere is good, plenty of drinks available if you are not driving ,I was this year, and the whole evening culminates with a good firework to the tune of the latest hit from Mozart or such like.

I’ll probably end up there next year again. I think I will order 100 tickets in advance.

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5.3.2010 von Jean Jacques.

 Or was it Wednesday??? Hard to remember. Pastis, Wine, Calvados, Champagne flowed in large quantities…

Went to Graffiti on Changle Road. Had not been there in a long long time. Pastis, Wine, Calvados, Champagne were consumed in large quantities…

Good fun was had by all, even Philippe who some unknown reason had to have a ride in a Porsche…

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5.1.2010 von Jean Jacques.

Off to Oscar’s.

Might have to try a couple of their whiskys…

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13.12.2009 von Jean Jacques.

Friday

Started well with a nice dinner on Friday night in a very good Japanese restaurant. Made a nice change to be with a group of Italians. Thank you Theodora for organizing that…

This was followed by a few drinks back at Nova with the gang and a few more drinks at Beedees with the same gang and a couple more who were already there…

Made it back home at 3.30am I think…

Saturday

Long walk to  Taikang Lu to try and find the missing little presents for Xmas…

… was not too successful but had a nice lunch in Lotus Land. Very tasty Indian food there…

Relax afternoon on the sofa watching DVDs. Saw quite a good film actually…

On the evening aperitif as planned at Nova’s till late followed by a bit of pasta at Papa Mario’s…

… before returning to Nova for a few more late drink. Very late in fact and for the second night running I closed the bar.

Sunday

A bit of shopping on Nanjing Lu in the morning. Quick soup at Nova for Lunch before helping my neighbor Theodora bypass our beloved Chinese watchdogs and get into Facebook.

Early evening  at Sabine and Andreas for the obligatory (in this season) mulled wine before going all together for dinner at one of Da Marco’s restaurant…

… walked past Nova on the way back and guess what I stopped in and guess what, I closed the bar for the 3rd night in a row. Listened to some good music too.

All in all, not a bad weekend

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28.11.2009 von Jean Jacques.

Taking it easy so far this weekend. Went to see Helen & Sylvain and the newborn Matteo a while ago.

Shortly off out for the evening to Southern Belle though…

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11.8.2009 von Jean Jacques.

For a change, I managed to have a day off to visit a few places. Ok it was Sunday.

101 is a must … Was there before but the first time in daylight.

Was there so early that the shopping mall at the bottom of the tower was still closed,,,

Took the opportunity to visit a few more places…

Managed to go through the change of guards…

O was quite impressed with these bicycle for hire. Quite a clever system.

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2.8.2009 von Jean Jacques.

Had a nice dinner at Mr&Mrs Bund restaurant

Followed by a couple of good Gin and Tonics in the Bar Rouge. Still think this is the best view of the Bund from there.

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