Russekro: Kom ut av skapet; "Tid"

Last night was Russekro in Stavern.  Here in Norway, I have decided to be Russe which is almost like a giant party until graduation for the seniors, or third graders, here in Videregaende Skole.  I don't know a ton about it, except that from May 1st until May 17th (Norge's Nasjonaldag) we wear these red pants and a russehat with a very long tassle.  On the tassle you can get these things that are like charms for different tasks you perform.  Some could be: kissing a police officer; staying sober until May 17th; having a picnic in a roundabout... etc.  And the closer you get until graduation, the more frequent and crazy the parties become. 

This weekend was the first Russekro, and it was crazy!  If they are going to become more frequent and crazier, this will definitely be a big culture shock for me! 

Saturday was the "Kom ut av skapet" Russekro, or "Come out of the closet" russe party.  No, it doesn't mean "come out" in the same way we use the term in America.  It means to come out as something/somebody else for the night.  I used my host father's pilot hat and wore a skirt and blue shirt and was - a pilot!  Line, my second host sister was a Hula Girl!  Alice was a pirate.  The list goes on!  I would say that about 95% of the people there were dressed up in costume.  It was great! 

First, I went to a preparty at Janis house which was so much fun!  I got to meet some really great kids and we had a dance party upstairs while we got ready with our costumes.  Then we drove to Stavern (the other side of Larvik) and went to the "club" for 100 kr.  We danced from 10 until 2:30!!  And, because 18 is the drinking age here, alcohol was everywhere.  Everyone kept asking me if we have parties like this in the US and I would answer, "Maybe, but not at our age."  I also spent the weekend at my second host family's house because of the russekro and because of "Tid".

"Tid" is a show that is being put on by Studio Nille, my dance studio here.  I am in one ballet and one jazz dance and I am helping my little kids with Nina, the teacher, every other day.  The performances are at 6pm Tuesday until Friday and at 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.  It will be a long week, so I am staying again with Helle, Trond and Line until next Sunday night to try to avoid some of the exhaustion.

I also have a julekonsert (Christmas concert) on Wednesday at the same time as "Tid", so I have to figure out what is happening there.