Alagaesian

In Bergen, the month of May is characterized by summer-like weather in spring (if we’re lucky) and drunk kids in red or blue jumpers. 

Those finishing highschool (vidergående) all take part in the scandinavian tradition marking the end of youth education and the start of more responsibilities perhaps.  But for 1 month or so, they celebrate the last days of carefree lives with more irresponsible partying with booze and insanely crazy deeds which they tick off their list and, once accomplished, gets a pin on their jumpers or hats.

I saw some literally crawling across the square last year supposedly crawling from the mountain to the meeting point.  Also some russ getting on a random car on the street and off on the other door.  I think part of the list is drinking a number of bottles of beer in 24 hours which you can only survive if you manage your drinking and sleeping time wisely. 

The tradition is supposed start on 1st May but the russ or just eager to start partying.  Last Saturday, coming from my own party, i tried to get a cab home at 3am.  As usual, once you stay out that late, you encounter a loooong taxi queue (not that there are few taxis, on the contrary there were a lot.  There’re just too many people out boozing.) and start cursing why you didn’t leave earlier.  I stayed in the queue for almost an hour and got to see a lot of interesting stuff.

Drunk kids singing out loud, blowing their whistles as if they need to announce their presence, red vans and buses with loud music blasting from their ‘awesome’ speakers.  I would assume that the drivers weren’t drinking… the allowable alcohol level for drivers here is close to 0. 

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