Jun-2013
Summer Carnival at Rotterdam with Manu Chao
Last Saturday I took the train to Rotterdam where I was dying to go to because Manu Chao was going to be there! I never saw my favorite artist live, but this was my chance to go and see him and I did not even had to pay for a ticket – entrance to the festival and the concert was for free!
I told my close friend Joyce who just got back to the Netherlands to meet me there, since we had not seen each other for a long time and we both love a concert. What we did not know was that Rotterdam was not only organizing a concert that day, but Summer Carnival was parading through town as well. Luckily we arrived in the afternoon, so we could enjoy the carnival too!
Joyce and I – Peru represents
After strolling the Coolsingel and all the other streets to see the parade we decided to look for a restaurant with something latin. We found a Brazilian bar that was selling Brazilian food, yes! We bought Coxinha, which is a Brazilian chicken croquette and looks like a Dutch bitterbal to me. It tasted really good!
Unfortunately all the other food we bought got smashed at the concert since it started earlier then we thought. We were sitting and eating on the ground were the concert was going to be held to have a good spot, but we did not know that before our Manu Chao was going to preform another artist would make his way on stage.
All of the sudden many girls stood next to us screaming “Aisha Aisha!” and we could not finish our meal… but… we got to see Outlandish live and very close by!
Outlandish performing and I was standing at the front line as you can see!
Outlandish left after their super performance with a smile and Manu Chao was already standing in back corner of the stage laughing while everybody got enthusiastic for his show.
Manu Chao together with La Ventura performed many songs of the Radio Bemba Sound System album (2002) which everybody loves. When the beats per minute got quicker everybody starts jumping and let us say all of us get very close with each other. Not that you have a choice, because you will be pushed and maybe even hugged. I had to get used to this, but it seems part of the normal Manu Chao audience.
Tip: do not bring any bags with you to a Manu Chao performance. I was carrying a little purse and had to hold it just so the cord would not break with all the pushing.
It was so nice to see many foreigners and hear so many languages all together having a good time. People from Spain, France, Mexico, all around the world, they where there so see our Manu.
I enjoyed the songs and I have to say that seeing this performance outside made it even better. You can feel the sunshine in the afternoon and even see a nice sunset during the show. Even the temperature was great.
I love his music, this was amazing! Thumbs up, eeeehm I mean peace Manu Chao!
After the concert we thought about going for a drink at the popular Stadhuisplein in Rotterdam, but I thought it was expensive to enter a club just for an hour and pay entrance. Well, maybe that is a cultural thing, I am Dutch right?
We decided to spend the night in Rotterdam at the home of a relative of my friend. It was kind a couchsurfie, love it!
PS. Want to know what other things you can do in Rotterdam? Check out Netherlands Tourism.
Cosy sleepover at Rotterdam, thanks Fitz!
About Renate Rigters
Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.
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