Relax u ek™
Needless to say, there were a host of protagonists throughout the course of the trip, but perhaps there were none bigger than Alex. Hell, when you have a t-shirt dedicated to yourself spanning across no less than 12 people (10 when you consider that two didn’t make the trip to Sicily), you know that you’ve reached a certain level of fame in the group. Alex, you see, is the epitome of ‘relax’. He is about as happy-go-lucky a character that one can have amongst them, and one that seems to be ready to attempt anything. Well done to him, then.
Most of the ‘relax u ek’ ideology came through the massive consumption of alcohol that occurred during the weekend. ELSA is synonymous with its drinking feats throughout the course of the three days in Sicily, with some people even sticking to a strict diet of alcohol for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most times, this was combined with a delicious side plate of puke. Or, in Analise’s case, a piss in poor Mark’s hard-hat.
International Law… u ek
Of course, Sicily isn’t all just about the alcohol. It’s about the educational aspect as well. Which is the reason why the Government – yes, I did vote PN – were big enough suckers to pay for this trip out of their own coiffeurs via the Smart Card (and most people accepted this gift gratefully), all simply because we paid a visit to Catania University for a 20-minute lecture on International Law. Now, if I was the University, I would use the term ‘law’ in conjunction with ‘lecture’ very lightly, because this was anything but that. Speaking about Model United Nations, with a flyer being distributed in Italian, may cover the international foyer, but it certainly does not give an outlook to any legal spheres whatsoever. Indeed, I’d rather class this as a comfortable sit down in order to give the government a good reason to pay for this trip. Brilliant.
Of course, Sicily isn’t all just about the alcohol. It’s about the educational aspect as well. Which is the reason why the Government – yes, I did vote PN – were big enough suckers to pay for this trip out of their own coiffeurs via the Smart Card (and most people accepted this gift gratefully), all simply because we paid a visit to Catania University for a 20-minute lecture on International Law. Now, if I was the University, I would use the term ‘law’ in conjunction with ‘lecture’ very lightly, because this was anything but that. Speaking about Model United Nations, with a flyer being distributed in Italian, may cover the international foyer, but it certainly does not give an outlook to any legal spheres whatsoever. Indeed, I’d rather class this as a comfortable sit down in order to give the government a good reason to pay for this trip. Brilliant.
Sightseeing
Perhaps we were chicken enough not to rent a car between us, especially after we found out that Krista and co managed this feat quite comfortably. Indeed, maybe only Mickey and myself were really up to the task of driving on the horrendously congested Sicilian roads, other than the girls who rented out a vehicle, but the end result remains that we still didn’t even try getting one. Perhaps it’s just as well, as apart from the roads being congested, the drivers there are worse than Malta. I swear.
Perhaps we were chicken enough not to rent a car between us, especially after we found out that Krista and co managed this feat quite comfortably. Indeed, maybe only Mickey and myself were really up to the task of driving on the horrendously congested Sicilian roads, other than the girls who rented out a vehicle, but the end result remains that we still didn’t even try getting one. Perhaps it’s just as well, as apart from the roads being congested, the drivers there are worse than Malta. I swear.
Well, the sightseeing journey was not plentiful, primarily because we only visited three places in total – Catania, Acitrezza and Taormina – and secondly because the majority of us were too pissed to realise what was going on most of the time. However, a brief outlook on all three would not go to waste. The centre of Catania is a joy to behold with its historical buildings, long roads and numerous fashion establishments. However, there are a couple of downsides to this – there are quite a few pesky beggars, obviously wanting money. When we were having lunch on Friday afternoon, we must have had at least three different people coming up to us all and asking us for money. And needless to say, they get quite angry if they don’t get what they want – just ask Mark, who had a knife pointed at his throat by this brat of an (approximately) 8 year old child, just because none of us gave him what he wanted. Throughout the course of the day, we must have encountered such people at least 6 times. An answer to this? Do what Stefan was doing – offer them a cigarette, and they’ll go away with immediate effect.
Acitrezza, on the other hand, is the place where we were staying, and is a 15-20 minute drive from Catania. It’s a relatively small and peaceful fishing village, and here I’ll just give a small bit of credit to our hotel manager, who, despite providing us with two rather inadequate meals for dinner on Thursday and Friday, was very patient with us all as many held after-parties going on till even half 6 in the morning. And of course, a brief word on Taormina is also due – it’s a beautiful place perched on the top of a hill; a very picturesque pedestrianised place that gives beautiful views of not only the underlying sea but also of the historical landmarks situated within the town.
Strut your stuff
Of course, another integral part of ELSA is none other than the parties. And, to my great despair, I have to say that these were a disappointment, for the most part. I’m not saying that our first night was bad, or anything of the sort, but when you pay €27 to enter a place that should house at least 600 people, and then leave at half 12(!!!), then you have to be slightly disappointed at the very least. Perhaps even worse was the fact that we got lost on the way due to the sheer inadequacy of one of the bus drivers (not Luca) – it permitted many of us to end up by questioning what on earth was going on, and sobered many people up!
Of course, another integral part of ELSA is none other than the parties. And, to my great despair, I have to say that these were a disappointment, for the most part. I’m not saying that our first night was bad, or anything of the sort, but when you pay €27 to enter a place that should house at least 600 people, and then leave at half 12(!!!), then you have to be slightly disappointed at the very least. Perhaps even worse was the fact that we got lost on the way due to the sheer inadequacy of one of the bus drivers (not Luca) – it permitted many of us to end up by questioning what on earth was going on, and sobered many people up!
A word has to go to poor Stefan here though, who really managed to strut his stuff after getting out of the shower. His clothes stolen, he had to emerge from the bathroom with a towel covering himself and looking very much like a prima donna. Needless to say, the very notion of himself coming out of the bathroom, naked, with this towel just covering him, was hilarious. I’m just wondering at which point he thought it was a good idea to come out of the bathroom in this manner, not rinsed (he still had soap on him), with all his friends waiting for him(!!!)…
My thoughts on Smoking
As the majority already know – word spreads and photos on Facebook never do anyone justice – I was subject to having a couple of cigarettes while in Sicily, something that seems to have become quite a talking point among many of my friends. Firstly, I would like to clarify the situation – what happens in Sicily stays in Sicily – it has been done, and I cannot revoke that that has been done. Secondly, I am not going to be taking up the habit of smoking – I know what type of a person I am and I know that it is not in my character to do so. Thirdly, I feel that such ‘condemnation’ over this topic is unjustified, undue and unjust – as it says in the Bible, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7). No one is perfect in life, and neither am I. So that’s that aspect all cleared up, I hope.
As the majority already know – word spreads and photos on Facebook never do anyone justice – I was subject to having a couple of cigarettes while in Sicily, something that seems to have become quite a talking point among many of my friends. Firstly, I would like to clarify the situation – what happens in Sicily stays in Sicily – it has been done, and I cannot revoke that that has been done. Secondly, I am not going to be taking up the habit of smoking – I know what type of a person I am and I know that it is not in my character to do so. Thirdly, I feel that such ‘condemnation’ over this topic is unjustified, undue and unjust – as it says in the Bible, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7). No one is perfect in life, and neither am I. So that’s that aspect all cleared up, I hope.
Final Thought
So as to not make this blog too lengthy, I have decided to conclude here. Most of that that I said has covered the duration of the trip, anyway. All in all, Sicily was a pleasant experience spent with some good friends. Without going into the merits of the case, I believe that there could have been aspects of the trip that could have been better than those that evolved throughout the duration of the three days, but overall, it was a better and more worthwhile trip than last year’s. However, a trip to Sicily next year could verge on the repetitive – indeed, I strongly suggest to the organisers to find another place next year.
So as to not make this blog too lengthy, I have decided to conclude here. Most of that that I said has covered the duration of the trip, anyway. All in all, Sicily was a pleasant experience spent with some good friends. Without going into the merits of the case, I believe that there could have been aspects of the trip that could have been better than those that evolved throughout the duration of the three days, but overall, it was a better and more worthwhile trip than last year’s. However, a trip to Sicily next year could verge on the repetitive – indeed, I strongly suggest to the organisers to find another place next year.
God Bless and Take Care,
Matti
Matti
