Das Boot?

Ok, so I'm sitting in poli sci, writing this blog post right now - probably not the most effective use of class time - but it's Friday at 8:32 am, and I'm tired and not interested in listening right now. Ergo, I decided to write a short commentary on my experience last night at the most frequented bar by Miami students in all of Luxembourg - Cafe le Notre - better known as "Das Boot."

I should explain my hesitations before I delve into the night's activities. I had never been to "the boot" before last night. One of the reasons I had not been there is that I viewed it as a somewhat unclassy place. I don't want to seem pretentious, but it is just one of those places that just reeked of all that is bad about Americans abroad. I personally had just not wanted to associate myself with the debauchery that oft occurs there.

Anyhow, it was a Thursday. Specifically, it was the Thursday after a week of midterms. More specifically, it was the Thursday after a week where I had four rather challenging midterms. So I had the intention of returning to Pitcher (see my previous post), but that wasn't happening. Apparently, the boot was happening. So, after having gone home to pack for my weeklong trip to Italy with my parents and grandparents, and noticing that it was only 7:30 pm. I elected to return to Differdange, and make my maiden voyage to the boot.

So, Erin, Alyssa, Jerica, and I walked in at about 8:30. My notes refresh my memory and indicate that I immediately noticed that it was much quieter and smaller than I had expected. Also, there was nobody smoking inside - I guess I just assumed it would be, but it seemed to me that anyone who wanted to smoke just went outside. So yeah, my initial impressions were surprisingly favorable. I purchased my first beverage, which was Battin (a beer from Esch) served in a .5 liter glass boot. It cost me a grand total of 2.2 euros (which is rather cheap).

So we just sort of hung out, listened to music, and chatted. There is a certain curve to drinking - as in, some people feel a distinct need to "catch up" to everyone else there. This is not always the best idea, I would advise against it. Anyhow, everything was pretty chill, we even had a euchre game going! So, as per usual for Americans - things went downhill when the birthday girl got there.

No names will be used, but let's just say that one student was celebrating her 21st birthday in true American fashion: by drinking to excess. Approximately 15 people rolled in with the birthday girl, and all of a sudden the place was much more crazy. I have written down in my notes, "Drunk people can still dance on top of tables/chairs." So yeah...

Then later, after getting my second .5 liter boot - while the debauchery continues with everyone else drinking heavily, I was invited to partake in a game of "Flip Cup." Now, I'm going to be honest here: I've never really played a lot of drinking games before, so I was mildly hesitant. Turns out there is really not that much drinking involved in the team sport that is flip cup. While I had seen the game before, I had never known the rules or details. Basically, in teams, you compete via a sort of relay race wherein each person has to drink a small amount of beer in a plastic cup, place their cup on the edge of the table, and attempt to flick the bottom of the cup to get it to land flatly upside-down on the table. It's by no means a difficult task, but it can be quite challenging at times. Anyways, my team was Bobby, Bridget, Gwendy (Greg's host brother's girlfriend), and I. Our opponents, who won in a close 8-6 match, were Greg, Ben, Philippe, and Jacques. So it was fun, I was decent, at least. Don't worry, there was no excessive consumption or anything like that. It's actually really easy to be responsible if you want to be.

Overall, another thing I noticed is that Americans like loud music. It definitely was loud, but I think all bars are like that. I sometimes wish it weren't so - when you can't even hear the person next to you, it's too loud. But, it was nice to hear lots of good ole American music blasting on the speakers. I miss that. I miss people driving in their cars blasting loud thumping bass.

But yeah, then we took the 11:30 train home (late night, I know, especially considering I had class the next morning at 0800), but totally worth it. I'd probably go back, as it wasn't nearly as vile as I had imagined. But, I suppose that's life - trying new things, opening your mind, stepping out of your comfort zone? At least, that's one thing I've done better here in Europe - get out of my comfort zone. Anyway, I need to go to my other class now, and then I'm getting on a train to Italy! Peace out.