Gay Amsterdam !!!!

The most anticipated event of the year finally arrived!!!! No, the Eurocup is passe. Amsterdam Gay Fest is being celebrated in the first week of August. It is such a happy and gay time here!!! (literally).

For the uninitiated, The Netherlands, known for its higher than normal levels of tolerance and hedonistic culture, was the first country to officially recognise the same sex marriage. Amsterdam has the biggest gay scene of Europe (and probably the world). Nowhere else would one see this as openly being flaunted than here. Being gay is completely, socially, professionally,legally, religiously accepted here. Some of the gay people are in the highest echelons of the society.

So, every year, to celebrate their growing tribe, and in some manner, as a show of their strength, Amsterdam has a Gay Boat Parade. Homosexuals from around the globe throng the city from the weekend itself and it would not be uncommon to see gay couples making out in the alleys, coffeeshops or bars during this week!!!

The event flags off at 2.00 pm on the first Saturday of August from Princengracht along the canals making a slow and exciting (though not particularly enticing) journey to the docks on the Eastern end of the city Oosterdok.

All along the canals on both sides of the streets, crowds throng to catch a glimpse of this suggestive;almost risque exhibition of sexual liberation!!! As the boats bearing the logos, banners and costumes of the different gay clubs make their way around the canals, the crowd just goes ballistic with applause, spontaneous gyrating dances, and in some cases.... well.... people cannot control their urges!!!! The entire atmosphere is so full of life and eclectic. Wild antics of physical proximities, tandem crotch crunching and other such suggestive movements being the dance forms.

Presenting some montages of the same...

Beer and wine flew liberally as families and tourists enjoyed this unique treat on a bright sunny afternoon. This year was a witness to the first shades of corporate participation with many Gay Clubs being sponsored by some of the biggest European brands like ING, Phillips, Europeesche, SAP and of the likes...even the native Amsterdam Police (Politie) had its own vessel with police band playing vibrant military-like tunes and the queerer ones, quite rythmically though, waltzing away. Not being unfair and sexist in nature, the parade also serenaded a few (but speedily emerging) lesbian clubs as well!!!!

There was also a customary solemn round of mourning for all the brethren of the world who are yet to attain freedom from shackles of convention, society towards a greater level of acceptance and respect!!!!

Such was the whole atmosphere that it was well.... inviting would not be the most apt word here.... contagious would probably fit the bill better... that people got carried away in the gaiety gay histrionics!!!! Some montages of high dose testosterone thisting for testosterone!!!!

Well, after that vibrant, one-of-its-kind event, as I made my way back, part bewildered, part amused, part happy (but definitely not gay), part cynical, part unattached, I was muttering in resignation...

Man proposes God disposes

is a tale of yore,

To a man, alas a man proposes,

is an adage today finding favour more

sriky