Spring has Sprung

Location: Budapest
Date: March 2011
Adventure #49

In addition to hearing the occasional bird chirping, being able to open my windows in the day, and seeing flower beds full of vibrant blossoms, signs of vernal happiness take another form in Budapest: the arrival of Budapest Spring Festival. As in years past, I wrote a feature for my magazine about the large-scale cultural event, which you can read by clicking here.

I was invited to attend the opening ceremony for the festival, which was held at the Museum of Ethnography - a stunningly ornate building built in the early 20th century for Hungary's Ministry of Justice. Anytime I get an invitation to go to that museum, I take it. Although it was hard to capture using just my Ipod, I took this picture of the lobby while a Gypsy musical group performed.

And yet another perk of reporting on the festival was that I was able to attend a flamenco dance version of Carmen - masterminded by Antonio Gades - a late, world-famous Spanish choreographer. Although I think it would have been much better with a live orchestra, the Spanish guitarists and flamenco dancers were exceptional. It solidified what I always suspected would be true: there is nothing more sultry than a vixen (clad in a red dress, naturally) seducing her man with flamenco flitting to Bizet's "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" (Love is a rebellious bird) aria.

Shakin' It All Night Long

Location: Buda
Date: February 2011
Adventure #48

If 1980s theme parties have helped me realize one personal truth, it would be that my hair was meant to be teased! Thanks to my friends Mats and Zsofi, I had the opportunity to let my voluptuous hair down and trip the light fantastic to fantastic '80s tunes at their hilarious party last month. I know most people in the '80s did not look/dress like this all the time, but what good is a theme party if you don't take it to the extreme?

We revived fabulous looks from the decade, including party girl and Boy George - thanks Zsofi and Mats:

The Olivia Newton-John aerobic girl:

Who you gonna call ... for some man mid-drift:

And my friend Kinga even busted out a Walkman for the occasion:

As we laughed, applied too much make up, teased our hair and danced, danced, danced, heaven truly was a place on earth. Thanks 1980s for being a decade that is just so fun to make fun of.

Now I am waiting for a '90s party, where I plan on wearing a highlighter-hued windsuit that will incessently make a "whoosing" sound while I dance to Ace of Base, Spice Girls and Salt'N'Peppa.