IAE Gala: Casino Royale!

It wasn’t my Gala, but I was invited. A large ‘ball’, a final year party for students of the master programs in IAE, organized by the BDE and held within the IAE compound itself!

The IAE Gala 2009, at first sounded like a really corny idea, but in the end it astounded me past anything I could imagine. The entire school complex was turned into multiple dance floors, each with a unique theme of its own. The entire party was named “Casino Royale”, and thus had the air of a casino theme.

The cafeteria had a dance-club-type atmosphere, with disco lights, a DJ and electronic music blasting throughout. The courtyard was turned into a concert-type environment with a live rock band performing throughout the night. The “bubble” or mezzanine/lobby was 80’s style with pop and dance music. The reception held the big bar with fairly affordable drinks [ranging from beer to whiskey to some weird green stuff].

One large classroom featured a live Jazz band with tall cocktail tables arranged for casual conversation. Finally the room next to it was the casino room, with a Roulette table and a Black Jack table, with actual casino staff teaching you how to play, and where you could actually win free drinks!

In all, it was nothing short of a great party: dancing, drinking, with my girlfriend, with past IAE friends [Emeline, Ewa, Taina], watching the drunken IAE bourgeoisie girls in their evening dresses; awesome night.

For more pictures, see:

• IAE Gala: Casino Royale

Trekking Aix

In the month of May, Maïté and I suddenly had a realization of the short time that we had together before she left for Paris in the start of June. Thus we tried our best to visit as many places as possible, but failed. Ha-ha. So we spent some quality time in Aix instead, not so bad, considering that it’s quite the charming little city. Here are some recounts of things we did, along with the censored pictures.

• Bulldogge [25 April]: Bulldogge, the best burger in Aix? Perhaps; quite a nice place, good food [and beer], with a familiar British theme . [Bulldogge Pictures].
• Parc Jourdan [1 May]: The First of May [May Day] began with traditional Muguet de mai [Lily of the valley] flowers. We attempted to go to Arles, but missed the bus somehow and thus had to settle for Parc Jourdan, it's a nice park when you think about it. [Park Jourdan Pictures].
• Sushi [1 May]: Later that night we had sushi at a restaurant on Cours Mirabeau, but surprisingly, it wasn't as good as my first sushi in Beni Hanna in Trinidad! [Sushi Pictures].
• Puyricard [6 May]: A day at school, ending with a peaceful mid-summer's eve walk through the countryside of Puyricard. Old country roads, chateau's, blossoming roses, the works. [Puyricard Pictures].
• Ice Cream [8 May]: On the promenade! [Ice Cream Pictures].
• Ratatouille [8 May]: Traditional, home-cooked, very colourful, very French Ratatouille, made with love by ma copine :). [Ratatouille Pictures]
• Marseille [9 May]: Just walking around Marseille, attempted to go to 'les calanques' but the bus was messed up, so we just went to 'la plage de catalan'. [Marseille Pictures].