An odd thing about NZ festivity culture, meetings, parades etc always start on time and also they end exactly on time. There’s no such thing as alcohol consumation (Newzealanders would be shocked about events in Austria, we like to have that “Gemütlichkeit” at festivities that just can’t be found here) and when the last tune is sung, everybody disappears in an instant.
So, this parade was the highlight of the advent season and I still have to giggle inside when I think of how not christmassy I felt witnessing this whole commercial performance. Every sponsor and of course all the clubs, schools, playgroups etc had their going (literally), most of them disguised fitting to the xmas theme, some just showing off their skills or their business. Well, we were having fun, knowing it will be a one time experience (I will never, ever, trade a European Xmas for this :)
