Tramway Madness

I just realized most recent posts here seem to be about public transportation in BG, which really needs to stop, but…

If I’m not mistaken (and I’m not saying I’m not, I actually have no idea at this point), Belgrade will host its yearly “Days of Belgrade” events towards the end of this week. It’s some kind of spring festival to celebrate being able to go outside again and nice weather, spring love, kittens n’ rainbows and all that happy stuff.

My favorite part of the celebration from past years, and I have absolutely no clue as to whether it will happen again this year at this point, is the tramway parties that take place. A few of the city’s main lines (number 2 comes to mind primarily but there are others) are converted into rolling clubs with DJ in the back and free rides for all (although a 2 liter bottle of beer is recommended for diplomatic encounters).

The first year I went provided exactly 90 minutes of madcap insanity like you’ve never seen on the public transportation here, as the absolutely jam-packed tram filled with partygoers and revelers cruised around the city to thumping (and well-selected) rock/techno beats while passing pedestrians everywhere danced along, cheered to our total rock n’ roll awesomeness or simply looked confused as hell.

At one stop in Dorcol, I happened to be standing by the door when the tram stopped for a single, lonely 80something year old man with a cane who was apparently simply waiting for his regular ride home. As the doors opened to reveal a tram full of about 200 young drunk and overly enthusiastic young people howling and screaming at him to join the party like a bunch of birthday baboons, he hesitated for a second, understandably surprised and confused.

After a second of consideration, he apparently decided that life is short and, well, carpe diem, because with a shrug and “jeeeeeeeeebiga!” (fuck it!), he tossed his cane to someone on the tram, climbed aboard and grabbed a passing bottle of beer, chugging it to its end and finishing with a whoop and a bow, to the great delight and cheers of everyone on the tram as it set back on its course of noise and chaos throughout the city.

This kind of insanity went on for a few loops around the city before some drunk girl decided to stick her FACE out the window and caught a lightpost with it, causing a major scene and the festivities to stop, and reminding us all of why we are told to “keep arms and legs inside the vehicle at ALL TIMES”. Seriously, now you’ve been warned.

I imagine she might not have been the only person to get hurt during these parties so I have no idea if the city is still organizing them, but I suppose we’ll all find out by the end of the week. If they are though, I’m not going to miss it for anything.

Happy riding to everyone who’s lucky/crazy enough to hop aboard as well! :)