EVERYTHING I KEEP AFTER THE PARTY

05.07.04

A walk downtown brought us to a party. That night was definitely white, not because of the lights on the streets but because of the wrinkles of every blue-white flag covering the dark sky with its colours, thus colouring even the faces of passers-by, who actually weren’t just passers-by.

They intended to reach Omonoia and stay there until dawn. I don’t even know if they finally reached their destination or if what they experienced was enough to remember it until the history can be repeated one day (but is this possible to happen?).
What am I to keep inside my head from the images that not even my camera could catch? First of all, the girls. Pretty and ugly. All of them very sweet in their paranoia, hanging outside the open windows with their hair fluttering like flags. Dressed, or almost dressed, they let you take a sneak peek under their short little skirt and their transparent little tight shirt, without any intention to torture you or punish you for your indiscretion.

Young boys test you. They come to talk to you, move you, drench you with their sweat, give you a cigarette or light you a fire that can’t be put out that easily. Not just because it comes from a feeling of national pride but because it is part of an international celebration. In such celebrations everything is forgiven. You can smile to the person next to you and say: ‘Could I borrow your car and your girlfriend for tonight?’. He will reply with a ‘Definitely, man!’.

In all likelihood, you’ll be wrapped in burning sheets the next morning, lying next to a girl whose name you don’t even remember. Under the balcony, some huge guerilla will be infuriated with you because you dared to take advantage of his having been drunk and to grab what he loves best. You think that it’s time for him to beat you up. You are relieved with the idea that things might have been much worse. You could, for instance, have no other choice than go to work despite not having slept at all and stick to your desk, waiting for the next outburst.