Last Wednesday, Mum and I left Quedlinburg to head to Ballenstedt for Rockharz. After some issues getting into my accommodation, we found some other festival goers and I walked with them while Mum went back to Quedlinburg. It was about three kilometres to the festival, and there were cars stuck in a traffic jam pretty much the whole way - as well as a couple of kilometres of traffic jam along another road to the festival! I stayed at the campsite for a few hours, chatting to people, before walking back.
THURSDAY
Thursday was the first day of the festival, and with Alestorm playing, I got to wear my wench outfit! I had an absolute ball, right on the fence, screaming along to every song. Chris Bowes told me afterwards that he saw and thought it was freaky that I knew all the words. :P
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It turns out short skirts and windy
days aren't fun... |
It was pretty damn cold, so I bought a jacket - they sold out of most of them by about 5pm on the first day! European summer is weird.
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| So warm! |
I made a couple of friends, and watched their recommended bands. Good decision, too! Adding more bands to my list to check out when I get home.
FRIDAY
Today was my Delain day. I was on the fence again. They did a couple I knew, a few I didn't, but finished with We Are The Others, and I screamed my lungs out. Took me a while to recover. :P Charlotte's energy on stage was incredible, and her joy infectious. It was amazing.
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| More clothes, but still cold |
I made another friend, hung out at the campsite, and saw another recommended band. It's well worth listening to other metalheads. Today I also found the Napalm Records stall!
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| Yaaaaaayy!! |
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| It was wonderful to physically buy the CDs |
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Free magazine?! Yes, please!
Now to learn German to read it... |
SATURDAY
Today I spent most of my time at the camping ground, talking to people, walking around, and listening to the music others had playing. I learned a German drinking game, and a medieval knife game. One of my new friends took me up on a hill and we had a spectacular view of the festival ground and the camping ground. The camping ground was absolutely packed. Walking around the camping ground was fun, it still amazes me how many people speak English, and how well they speak it. I tried to understand the German, but only get one or two words. Still, more time for practise!
On Sunday I left Ballenstedt and headed for Thale. Some recovering time is needed! Overall, Rockharz was amazing, and I preferred it to Graspop Metal Meeting. A festival with only two stages, where you can see every band if you want to, and where nearly everyone is German! The Germans are a lovely people. I'm glad I'm spending most of my time in Germany!
