1574 Siege of Leiden as interpreted through electronic music

The weekend of October celebrates the city of Leiden's defeat over Spanish invaders. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Leiden) The city was preparing all week with an enormous carnival (Big E size), huge tents for outdoor performances and beer gardens, and lots of balloons! On Friday night the streets were absolutely packed with people at the carnival, overflowing from the bars, dancing to djs in the street. On Saturday morning, this usually pristine city seemed a little hungover with bottles, cans, bursted balloons and garbage in ther streets. The highlight of the weekend was the parade which, as previously mentioned, was themed 'American Dreams.' It was very funny/weird to see what non-Americans see as the essence of America. There were Pilgrims (who originated in Leiden), immigrants and a Statute of Liberty, Presidents Clinton and Obama (and Bush who had to sit inside the car and not wave), a Mississippi steamboat, Indians and cowboys, AMISH, Hollywood, movies, and Titanic (?), paperboys on bikes, a gospel choir, school bus and Ronald McDonald, High School Musical, a basketball team and scantily clad cheerleaders, and a Vegas scene. Some of the people around us realized we were american and turned to see our reaction at each new float. I suppose if we insist on dressing the dutch in wooden shoes it's only fair that we are associated with the Amish, steamboats, and Ronald McDonald.

Boats with their party lights on

One of the most remarkable parts of the weekend was the party our next door neighbors threw. One of them is a DJ and plays hardcore techno from 2:30-5:30 nearly every day (professional training?). However, this day was not like all others. They had a little shindig that started at 1 pm and lasted until 1 am. That, my friends, is a whole lot of techno.