Off the Map

Something Else You'd Never See in America

I need you to imagine something with me now: You're walking on the University of Colorado Campus, towards Kittridge Commons (Common area for a Student Residential Hall) on a Thursday night. You soon notice that something is going on. The air is rife with energy. You begin to hear thumping bass, and glimpse a strobe from a side window. As you near the building you see at least 100 students, hair done & party cloths on, cuing to get in. Other groups are roaming around the area, yammering drunkenly amongst themselves. After whipping out your cell phone, you give me a ring. I come thru roughly on the other end, but from the overwhelming noise, I'm obviously in the thick of things. Somehow you figure out to swing to your left around the back of the building, where I meet you at an out of the way side door. You're in. I whisk you up to the main hallway, point out the improvised beer bar, but quickly drag you onto the main dance floor. Hundreds of students with cocktails or beers in hand are dancing to the Dj's selection, like so many blades of grass blowing in a fickle wind. I point out the cocktail bar, where the barrista waves me a smile, before introducing you to my floormate, the DJ. We rendevous 15 min later with the rest of our crew: Brits, Koreans, Ami's and Germans, order a round of drinks, and push into the fray.

Loud music. Mad dancing. Lots of alcohol. 1,000 students. In a University Common area. Hosted by the Residence Hall. 9pm till 6am. Couldn't be farther from current reality in Boulder, or anywhere else in the good 'ol US of A.

Change the building from Kittridge to Oberpfalzheim. Change the country from the US to Germany. What have you got? My Thursday night. Our Student Complex threw its annual party - and was just as crazy as it sounds. Being one of 2 exchange students in our entire residence of at least 350, I'm recognized by just about everybody ("What a terrible accent!"). This also means that I've got the connections I need to work a party with 1,000 attendees for my crew. I now understand why the VIP scene in Clubs is so coveted. You really feel like a somebody when you can snag VIP treatment for all your friends at the biggest Student housing party of the year (all of the halls throw one, but we have the most space and the most ambitious organizers). Suffice it to say that I didn't go to bed until almost 8 the next day.

posted by Jason @ 4:40 pm