This was definitely a last minute trip. One of my closest friends, Alice, has been with her boyfriend for over 8 years and after over a year engagement the date finally arrived for her wedding in Ibiza.
Do to circumstances in my life I had told her that I was not going to be able to come to her wedding back in May. So in both our minds we knew it was not going to happen. Then things changed and 6 days before the wedding everything lined up for me to go and of course I thought it would be best to make it a Surprise!!
After 28 hours of flying and layovers I sneaked into the hotel and accidentally got caught by my dear friend Luca's wife!! I guess the dark sunglasses and hair in my face didn't work. Quick nap and my accomplice Suzanne arrived ready to set up a day I would never forget. Tear!
Being thirsty people we waited for everyone down at the bar and slowly the guests started coming down and were caught completely off guard to see me siting there. My other close friend Jennifer was speechless and when Alice's parents saw me we all almost cried. So now all was left was to surprise Alice who was waiting for us at Plastik...Walking over I felt the nerves rumbling away. ( or maybe it was because I had not eaten anything since bfst).
So they blindfolded Alice and as I sat next to her she thought it was going to be some cheesy shirtless man but instead it took her a couple of double takes to realize it was me. Well, now we are all crying. It was such a nice feeling to make such a close friend happy with ones presence and vice versa. Definitely a highlight in anyone's life. After some joyous cheers and lots of ciao and piaccere de conosiuto it was time to relax and enjoy my time.
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| Surprise! |
Of our "old" group it was so nice to see how we had all grown up from constantly planning our next party to mostly married, hard working and optimistic people. Mr party boy now was a calm man with girlfriend by his side for who he carrys her purse. Another goofball talking about his 12 hour work days but still jokes about his mating cats. The jetsetter/playboy now starting his own law firm, afraid but excited for his new venture. No more gossip talk, now it was serious talk- babies, work, families...we're all grown up!! And although we all now live across the world it was so nice to all be reunited for such an occasion as Alice and Davide's wedding.
Now let's talk about the island of Ibiza itself.
Honestly I've always heard of Ibiza as a crazy party town full of drugs and long nights, so it was never really my thing. Arriving to the hotel everything seemed quite normal but on the other I wasn't offered pills by the taxi lady like my friend experienced. Lucky me. We stayed in an area called Playa d'en Bossa, which for logistics and coordination of 80 people it was the best solution. Would I send my clients ton this hotel, no. But again for 80 people and logistics it was perfect for our group.
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Italian Mafia
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| Although a Great pic by Mrs. Suzi |
First day was a bit of beach time, but nothing out of the ordinary. Next day after the wedding we decided to see the old town center. Again nothing out of the ordinary that would stand out enough to say " I need to come back to I didn't get the charm to this place. Although I had a very nice time walking the cobble stone streets with a dash of rosè, I really could have been anywhere for that matter.( note to self, ros with a rose on it, damn good wine if you can find it ).
Suzi's husband used to have a house here in ibiza and told us that the island had a very posh side and then the hippy side which we were experiencing The streets were filled with the eclectic mix of these hippies who seem to have lost any brain power to them, loads of Italians, old women with big ice creams and families here and there but definitely not feeling that posh " I am in la la land".
That all changed on day 3 where it seems by all accounts this was the most beautiful beach on the island, Cala Comte. As we drove up all of our jaws dropped and then realized. Ohhhhh, so this is why Ibiza is famous. Seriously breath taking and as one would expect " pictures don't give it justice". Don't you hate it when people say that?
To start I am not a beach person and less of a 8 hour beach day person but for this day and this beach I was willing to give it a chance. Sitting next to Italians who live for the sun, I was feeling my Dutch skin in peril as I dosed myself with 30spf and wishing I had un umbrella. Yes they thought I was weird. Thirst and hunger kicked in so went up to the restaurant. Ok I'm in love.
The Sunset Ashram with chill back ground music and 250 deg view of different shades of blue sea dotted with catamarans, wooden sail boats and steel yachts. Let's add 11 old and new friends over yummy salads and pizzas and of course more rosè..Yup. I was happy...Definitely happy.
Back to Mediterranean sea for a siesta and refreshing swim. Oh wait , how can I forget the Spanish/Italian / Russian Guido of 70 with the sad realization that his girlfriend of ohh lets say 27 pranced around the beach. All I could think of was the sex in the city saggy ass scene and no matter how many pages of 50 shades of grey you read, ugh, each night must be grueling. After the view it was time for aperitivo and in good Italian fashion we had our spritza which I know learned is half aperol and cava. Highly recommend, you're welcome. The music got jumpier and the grey haired dj's definitely knew their music. Now I want to come back to Eivissa.
Later on that night of course we were all beat and unfortunately my blackberry decided to work so it was time for me to get back to work. Uninterested in the night they forced me out again to what supposed to be a chill chiringto where my flip flops, un-make up'd face and wet hair would be acceptable. Wrong. We arrive to Blue Marlin where young obnoxious kids ( that used to be us) ordered bottles of Moet Ice and used the sparklers to light their cigars. Prancing peacocks searched for the hottest girls and I was all too happy to watch the Discovery Channel up close and personal. Russian high heeled prostitutes getting suggared up or suggering up ( how does that work) possible clientele. And now we will never know what the goofy American slipped into the hands of the hot Russian as they took pictures of her in seductive poses. Damn that was fun but after a drink I was over it and thankfully went home as the power went out on this remote "exclusive " club.
All in all this was a FANTASTIC last minute surprise that was worth everything and to see my beautiful friend Alice walk down the aisle with her love and her family and friends around....PRICELESS
Now lets talk about the city. We can never forget what happened as our past shapes us. Berlin has done an amazing job in turning what was the horrific wall into a modern day art gallery. You have the dictators walls to remind us that there is still work to be done, the East side gallery showing the past into present day interpretations and then very cool steel structures that's its hard think it was a wall. Architecturally you have old Rococo buildings, half bombed churches atop modern buildings. . Potsdamer Platz with big Sony headquarters, glass rail stations and a bar named Catwalk (think Milan). Apartment buildings are also quite interesting having a very Cold War plain looking building next to a fancy terrace that looks like it belongs in Trocadero. This city really is full of old and new side by side and it must be seen to really see how seamless it looks.
