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Published: March 17th 2010
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Sydney
View from the Harbour Bridge I'm sat on the Greyhound bus just now heading down the coast from Airlie Beach to Rainbow Beach (14 hour journey!) and decided to pass the time by catching up with my blogging. Although the movie the driver's started playing is 'Legally Blonde' so I'm half tempted to watch that!
Soooo, after Fiji the next part of the trip was Sydney, for Mardi Gras 2010. It was Andrew's last week and we'd just got back from Fiji so the first few days were spent relaxing.
Siobhan and Blair arrived from Melbourne and Heron Island so it was nice catching up with everyone, although for Andrew and I, our main aim for the week was to learn our dance routine for the Mardi Gras parade on the Saturday.
With much trepidation (and a shot of Vodka on my part) we turned up for our first rehearsal on the Tuesday in the grounds of a Sydney suburban school. Me and Andrew had learned the steps as best as we could from a printed version we'd been emailed, but to be honest, our skills were abysmal and the dosey do in George Michael's part of the set caused us to trip
Sydney
The Opera House each other up more than once. We were also issued with our uniform, which consisted of a tiny pair of Aussiebum shorts. After finally figuring out who should wear which size, we headed home excited but more nervous than when we'd arrived!
We had another rehearsal on the Thursday and thankfully the steps were now learned and everything seemed to be falling into place. The music was split into three groups, Gaga, George and Kylie, with each having to know the steps to two parts of the 6 minute set. As we'd arrived into Sydney later than everyone else and missed the first rehearsal, the Gaga group was full (I was gutted), so we ended up in the George group, but luckily the Georges did the music for Lady Gaga and George Michael (at the front for George in the middle for Lady Gaga and at the back for Kylie)
From Thursday to Saturday we had a few party nights out and hangover days in between and before we knew it the parade day had arrived. We turned up at 4pm and entered the holding area. After a few more drinks we were walking around chatting with everyone
from guys and girls in leather chaps and dominatrix outfits, to drag queens, drag kings, ladyboys dance groups, lifeguards, and anything in between. Our truck pumped up the volume and we ended up having a huge street party and that was before the parade even started!
Finally we moved off at about 8:30pm. Turning the first corner I was so nervous, but with adrenaline pumping we were off! The crowds were 10 deep, there were tv cameras on long poles swooping over us, presenters at the side and a grandstand at the end. For 45 minutes we did our moves through the streets of Sydney and I only forgot what I was doing a couple of times! Didn't see Siobhan or Blair although they both said that they were shouting for us. It was a bit of a blur, but such an amazing experience. Definitely better participating than watching I reckon!
The party after was just as much fun with everyone staying in their parade costumes, watching the different stages or having a dance in the arenas.
Had a few nights out the days after, but really the Saturday was without a doubt the standout highlight. Blair
Everyone
Enjoying the party and Siobhan headed off to Melbourne but I fancied a bit of R&R so I booked a flight up to Cairns to do a trip to the Daintree Rainforest.
Right, back to Legally Blonde I think!
P.s. Don't have many photos from the parade as had nowhere to carry my camera! There are some official photos that Andrew's having delivered to the UK so hopefully can get some emailed and added at a later date.
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