Yes, it's finally that time of year when all the clubs begin to finish and close their doors. As the summer sun begins to get cooler and the feeling of winter starts to hit in, not as many tourists make Ibiza their destination anymore. And so the clubs begin to close one by one, leaving the final party of them all: Space closing. Space is one of the best clubs on the Island, if not the world. When it opens at the beginning of June each year it really does mark the beginning of the season for the clubs. And the line up is to die for. It's like a mini-festival for 18 hours in one huge club. They open their massive car-park and it becomes an outdoor stage. The highlights are going to be seeing DJs like: Deadmau5, Steve Lawler, Danny Tenaglia...it's going to be difficult deciding where to be and when. There's too many stages to get round. But we've got plenty of time.
It's going to be a real celebration of the season that has just gone. I think nearly everyone is going tomorrow, from the local shop owner and his dog to hardened clubbers from around the world. For me, it's going to be special as i've never been to a Space closing before, but i did go to the opening this season. It'll be a moment to remember all he good times this summer and be thankful for all the people that i have met and have an absolute blast with 2 of my best friends here in Ibiza: my house-mate Helen and Micheal French who has been here for the past 3 months. They're both awesome people and it'll be great to be dancing with them. And we're likely to bump into loads of workers during the 18 hours, and i'm looking forward to being around them and having a laugh.
I will be getting up at about 10am in the morning, which is the earliest since i've got here. Not sure i'll do it...we'll see.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Home again!
So I'm home! It's great saying that. I love Ibiza as it's definately my home.
Sometimes though, it's good to get away, and I was really lucky to be able to get out to Switzerland for my Auntie's 60th birthday celebration. It was great to see my family from back in the UK and also to see my extended family. We had alot of fun in Lausanne where they live. It was interesting trying to communicate with 3 languages...namely French, Swiss-German and English. And to think that I'll be trying to learn Spanish!!!
My mum, my sisters and i all then traveled with a great family friend to a region in Switzerland known as 'The Bernese Oberland'. It's such a beautiful part of the country and the world even. We stayed in a chalet in a town called Grindelwald, which is great for winter sports. The views of the Alps were immense! I simply love looking out over a valley and then seeing mountains towering above you. We had the best Fondue I've ever eaten; scaled some mountains; looked around the capital Bern and played 'Yassa', a Swiss card-game. We were there for about 4 days in total before we had to leave. We all wanted to stay much longer and hope to go back there. I miss snowboarding and who knows, i might just have to pay that place a visit in the winter.
My family flew home on Friday and i had to wait till Saturday till i could get home, so i was able to visit my friend Ursina who lived and worked here in Ibiza in the summer for about 7 weeks. She showed me around the city of Thun, and i got to spend some time with her and her community, who a part of 24-7 Prayer, the international movement that we are part of. They have a great big place right in the heart of the city, and they live in 'community' too. I then went back to Lausanne and then onto Geneva to catch my flight home.
I like being home!!!
Sometimes though, it's good to get away, and I was really lucky to be able to get out to Switzerland for my Auntie's 60th birthday celebration. It was great to see my family from back in the UK and also to see my extended family. We had alot of fun in Lausanne where they live. It was interesting trying to communicate with 3 languages...namely French, Swiss-German and English. And to think that I'll be trying to learn Spanish!!!
My mum, my sisters and i all then traveled with a great family friend to a region in Switzerland known as 'The Bernese Oberland'. It's such a beautiful part of the country and the world even. We stayed in a chalet in a town called Grindelwald, which is great for winter sports. The views of the Alps were immense! I simply love looking out over a valley and then seeing mountains towering above you. We had the best Fondue I've ever eaten; scaled some mountains; looked around the capital Bern and played 'Yassa', a Swiss card-game. We were there for about 4 days in total before we had to leave. We all wanted to stay much longer and hope to go back there. I miss snowboarding and who knows, i might just have to pay that place a visit in the winter.
My family flew home on Friday and i had to wait till Saturday till i could get home, so i was able to visit my friend Ursina who lived and worked here in Ibiza in the summer for about 7 weeks. She showed me around the city of Thun, and i got to spend some time with her and her community, who a part of 24-7 Prayer, the international movement that we are part of. They have a great big place right in the heart of the city, and they live in 'community' too. I then went back to Lausanne and then onto Geneva to catch my flight home.
I like being home!!!
Monday, September 15, 2008
'Sing like no one's watching'
Helen, Michael and myself went along to the Full Moon party last night at The Hippy Market as guests of Gospel House singer Kym Mazelle. She was supposed to be doing a live-band-gospel-house-thingy-ma-bob at 3am, but she only arrived a bit before that and it became clear that there were some considerable set-backs. We found out that she was supposed to be inside the club with her live band but they had set it up outside. So instead of her doing her live band thing, she was going to sing her famous track 'Young hearts run free' inside the club.
As we waited with her, Michael told her that all our friends (workers in the West End) were in the club and encouraged her to sing out what is on her heart and to be free to sing about God and shine in the club. She took those words on, as all i can say is, 'She rocked it'. It all was nearly not going to happen, as the DJ didn't seem to have a clue what was going on, and if it weren't for Michael stepping in and sorting out the microphone, she wouldn't have been able to sing. But for about 15 mins she sang out her prayers, her love for God, and the message to 'come home' over the DJ, which reminded me of the story of The Prodigal Son'. I'm so glad that she didn't sing her song, as it was so right that she sang over the top of the DJ and freestyled. The three of us were loving it, and it was clear after she finished that many people were touched by her words and her passion for God. I was blown away, as i love it when a gospel singer sings over the beats of a DJ. It reminded me of the after parties that me and some friends went to a few years ago at Space called 'In Bed with Space', where Barbara Tucker did the same.
Kym shined like a star in the universe last night, and sang what was on her heart. It was such an honour to dance with her. I hope she does that again in the future.
As we waited with her, Michael told her that all our friends (workers in the West End) were in the club and encouraged her to sing out what is on her heart and to be free to sing about God and shine in the club. She took those words on, as all i can say is, 'She rocked it'. It all was nearly not going to happen, as the DJ didn't seem to have a clue what was going on, and if it weren't for Michael stepping in and sorting out the microphone, she wouldn't have been able to sing. But for about 15 mins she sang out her prayers, her love for God, and the message to 'come home' over the DJ, which reminded me of the story of The Prodigal Son'. I'm so glad that she didn't sing her song, as it was so right that she sang over the top of the DJ and freestyled. The three of us were loving it, and it was clear after she finished that many people were touched by her words and her passion for God. I was blown away, as i love it when a gospel singer sings over the beats of a DJ. It reminded me of the after parties that me and some friends went to a few years ago at Space called 'In Bed with Space', where Barbara Tucker did the same.
Kym shined like a star in the universe last night, and sang what was on her heart. It was such an honour to dance with her. I hope she does that again in the future.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
'Shining like stars in the universe'
Manumission was a really good night!
We got to Amnesia about 2am and went straight to the main room. Not sure who was DJing, but the music was awesome. At first i found it hard to concentrate and enjoy myself and really dance as there were too many things that distracted me; those around me in costumes; dancers; but especially the video footage of past parties - TV screens everywhere. So we went to the terrace area and Zane Lowe was DJing. He was on the mic quite a bit - i think he liked the sound of his own voice to be fair. He played loads of different stuff, from alternative to drum and bass. The atmosphere was really good. At about 3am the 'show' started, but it came in drips and drabs, and not all at once. It was wierd to keep flicking from dancing to watching, but you got used to it. The show had lots of talent on offer. There was this amazing flamenco guitarist and some Spanish dancers; a Didgeridoo player who was awesome. He played along to the DJ, adding his own stuff. There were loads of dancers, who looked very much Moulin Rouge...at one point it all seemed like a glamorous circus. There were a few shocking moments, which i won't share here, but these are some of the things that came into my mind: 'interesting', 'didn't know that was possible', and 'she must have alot of time on her hands'. We bumped into loads of workers towards the end of the night and hung out with them for a bit. Mike and Claire, the promotors, know how to put on a great show. The DJ played some great choons too, and i really felt i could shine and go for it. I love when you're dancing and just in the way you look at others and dance you can communicate something to them. You can even invite someone to dance with you too. I love those connections.
Tonight we're going to a party called 'Thailandia' - a Full Moon Party which is happening down at the Hippy Market at Las Dalias. Our friend Kym Mazelle is doing a live PA. She has invited us as her guests. It seems like the whole Island is going. We met with Kym this week to hang out and eat and pray. She hopes to shine in her music and her singing. It should be great fun to be there. I'll let you know how it goes.
We got to Amnesia about 2am and went straight to the main room. Not sure who was DJing, but the music was awesome. At first i found it hard to concentrate and enjoy myself and really dance as there were too many things that distracted me; those around me in costumes; dancers; but especially the video footage of past parties - TV screens everywhere. So we went to the terrace area and Zane Lowe was DJing. He was on the mic quite a bit - i think he liked the sound of his own voice to be fair. He played loads of different stuff, from alternative to drum and bass. The atmosphere was really good. At about 3am the 'show' started, but it came in drips and drabs, and not all at once. It was wierd to keep flicking from dancing to watching, but you got used to it. The show had lots of talent on offer. There was this amazing flamenco guitarist and some Spanish dancers; a Didgeridoo player who was awesome. He played along to the DJ, adding his own stuff. There were loads of dancers, who looked very much Moulin Rouge...at one point it all seemed like a glamorous circus. There were a few shocking moments, which i won't share here, but these are some of the things that came into my mind: 'interesting', 'didn't know that was possible', and 'she must have alot of time on her hands'. We bumped into loads of workers towards the end of the night and hung out with them for a bit. Mike and Claire, the promotors, know how to put on a great show. The DJ played some great choons too, and i really felt i could shine and go for it. I love when you're dancing and just in the way you look at others and dance you can communicate something to them. You can even invite someone to dance with you too. I love those connections.
Tonight we're going to a party called 'Thailandia' - a Full Moon Party which is happening down at the Hippy Market at Las Dalias. Our friend Kym Mazelle is doing a live PA. She has invited us as her guests. It seems like the whole Island is going. We met with Kym this week to hang out and eat and pray. She hopes to shine in her music and her singing. It should be great fun to be there. I'll let you know how it goes.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Manumission
'Manumission is a latin word meaning freedom from slavey. The idea is anyone in Manumission is free to do or be whatever they choose as long as it does not harm anyone else.
Manumission is the party we throw in IBIZA
Each year we reinvent ourselves with the creation of a new concept. These concepts are a reflection of how we are feeling & our reaction to what is going on in the world we live in.'Those words are on the Manumission website, and i didn't realise that Manumission stood for that. I have never been to one of their parties, as the promotors Mike and Claire have often had live sex shows on stage in front of everyone, and it's not really the kind of thing i'm into. Apparently they have really tamed the show quite considerably, and so i go along tonight with both a little fear but alot of excitment.
There's loads of things i'm looking forward to tonight - but most of all, hanging out with Tracy, Helen, Michael and loads of the PRs who'll be going along too! I wonder what the show will be like? What will the promotors message be to everyone? How will they express their freedom?
I love the thought of being free...to be myself around people. Free from the things that trap me and enslave me. Free to dance and not care what those around me think. I love this quote that i've heard many times: "Love as if you have never been hurt. Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. And live everyday as if it were your last." Awesome quote.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Saying Goodbyes...until next summer.
'I hate goodbyes....be strong'. (What film is that from?)
So it's that time of summer when many of the workers here in San An are leaving to go back to the UK. Many go back to jobs, to Uni, to look for jobs, to make fresh starts. Some know exactly what they'll be doing, others have no clue. I've heard a few times the line: 'time to go back to reality'.
It's quite sad for me to be saying so many goodbyes to such quality people. Many have become friends and ones that i'll miss. I've seen them nearly every night, danced with them, eaten with them and generally hung out with them. There have been some great times. It'll be hard in the winter, with no tourists nor workers. But loads of them are coming back here next summer for the season, and that means we can continue where we left off. I'm well excited about that.
We've also seen the last of the summer mission teams that have come here and served us. We've had 7 teams in total, and in numbers that is roughly 50 people. All have given their holidays, their annual leave and their money to come and help us, and it's been awesome. The impact that they have made is immeasurable. The prayers prayed, the conversations, the time and energy helping people and being kind.
It's also the time of year when the clubs start to close. Many of the big nights are having their closing parties in the coming weeks, culminating in the mother of them all: Space closing, on Sunday Oct 6th. That is going to be very special, a real end to the season here.
So it's that time of summer when many of the workers here in San An are leaving to go back to the UK. Many go back to jobs, to Uni, to look for jobs, to make fresh starts. Some know exactly what they'll be doing, others have no clue. I've heard a few times the line: 'time to go back to reality'.
It's quite sad for me to be saying so many goodbyes to such quality people. Many have become friends and ones that i'll miss. I've seen them nearly every night, danced with them, eaten with them and generally hung out with them. There have been some great times. It'll be hard in the winter, with no tourists nor workers. But loads of them are coming back here next summer for the season, and that means we can continue where we left off. I'm well excited about that.
We've also seen the last of the summer mission teams that have come here and served us. We've had 7 teams in total, and in numbers that is roughly 50 people. All have given their holidays, their annual leave and their money to come and help us, and it's been awesome. The impact that they have made is immeasurable. The prayers prayed, the conversations, the time and energy helping people and being kind.
It's also the time of year when the clubs start to close. Many of the big nights are having their closing parties in the coming weeks, culminating in the mother of them all: Space closing, on Sunday Oct 6th. That is going to be very special, a real end to the season here.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Last Team of 2008
We have 9 people here with us for only 6 days, and they are from various different parts of the UK. Makes a change from all the Irish teams that we've been having, no disrespect. It's quite a short time for us to have a team, but the impact they're making is already significant. They have thrown themselves into the work here on the streets and into all other aspects, and it's such a blessing.
I was out the other night and we got called over by a guy with his friends. He asked us if he could buy some tickets for a club, thinking we were club reps, but we told him we didn't sell tickets and explained our work. He then promptly asked if he could pray for us. So the three of us got together and prayed. But before he could pray, we asked him if there was anything we could pray for him. He gave us several things to pray for, and there and then we started to pray.
I love being able to pray for people, for anything as simple as having a good holiday to praying for a relative who is ill. It's such an awesome thing to be able to do. The guy was so chuffed he had stopped us, and he said he was so very happy that he had stopped us. We laughed, and told him that we were even happier to be stopped by him.
I was out the other night and we got called over by a guy with his friends. He asked us if he could buy some tickets for a club, thinking we were club reps, but we told him we didn't sell tickets and explained our work. He then promptly asked if he could pray for us. So the three of us got together and prayed. But before he could pray, we asked him if there was anything we could pray for him. He gave us several things to pray for, and there and then we started to pray.
I love being able to pray for people, for anything as simple as having a good holiday to praying for a relative who is ill. It's such an awesome thing to be able to do. The guy was so chuffed he had stopped us, and he said he was so very happy that he had stopped us. We laughed, and told him that we were even happier to be stopped by him.
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