Have you ever listened to Sia’s song “Chandelier”? I am not asking if you’ve heard it, but have you ever LISTENED to it? If you haven’t yet, you absolutely should. The song is a window to the hearts and minds of a zillion millennials. I am not kidding – why did you think it got so popular?
That was not exactly the opening I wanted to have on this text, but my mind urged me to write it. Because what I will be talking is a life of endless parties, glamorous tanned bodies, good dancers, awesome music, free booze and so much more! So we’ll get back to that song a little bit later.
I landed in Cyprus on the 11th of April, 2006 – 10 days before my 22nd birthday. At the time I had just quit one serious job and was a part-time model. The Cyprus deal was to participate in the elite (at the time) Carlsberg Summer Promo team. Generally: you’re paid to go places, be pretty and drink beer. That’s a good deal, right? Especially when you’re 22! And that was the first time I went to Agia Napa. Back then (in 2006) I really couldn’t experience it for what it was – we were the “elite” team and guess what: we were always together and moved in a team of 4 at all times. It was sort of living like superstars – we had “guards” everywhere we went and people couldn’t come to talk to us just like that. Kinda cool, yet somewhat awkward.
A month on this job I was promoted to a team leader. Several months later (just after I returned home) I got an invite from a Cypriot company to go back and work there. Less than a year on the job I made it to a Marketing Director. But that’s not important. Skip several years which I will be telling you about some other time and jump straight to 2011.
After some misfortunate events in my life, I ended up being a couch potato for a month. Cool times? Not really. Still barely 27 though, I wanted more from life! I had worked like crazy with almost no fun until then so I decided to move near Agia Napa for one summer. With my sister. We had a blast!
If you’ve never been to Ibiza, Napa or anything similar let me tell you what happens at places like this. Agia Napa is the holiday location for lots of young Brits, Swedes, Norwegians, Israeli, South Africans and few other nationalities (in lesser quantity). It’s one of those places where people go without taking their manners. It’s the kinda place you go to explode. It’s super cool.
Agia Napa is the place, where Brits swear. It’s where Swedes are friendly. It’s the place, where Africans drink (yup, alcohol). It’s where everyone knows each other and no one is judging. It’s the place where calling someone at 3 a.m. is ok, but you have to be totally nuts to call at 10:00 a.m. How so?
Grown-ups nowadays love to anathematize places like Agia Napa, but they really don’t understand the value of it. Here’s what a day in Agia Napa is generally like.
2:30 p.m. Wake up. Head hurts. Must find food.
3:00 p.m. Burger King/McDonald’s. Food -check.
3:30 p.m. Go to the beach. Bl**dy hell! It’s hot out here! Dip in the water.
4:15p.m. Isn’t it time for drinks? Let’s get a beer/cider.
5:30-6:00p.m. Leave beach, go to the hotel. It’s shower time. And get some sleep.
9:00 p.m. Go out. Find food.
10:00 p.m. Find a bar. They’re everywhere! Let’s do this!
11:30 p.m. Where the he** am I? OMG music is awesome, I’m so cool!
2:00 a.m. Go to an after-party. Who are these people with me? Who cares – they’re awesome! We’re all drunk.
6:00 a.m. Leave the after-party. Most of the times with someone. Someone new. Go wherever.
7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Go to bed.
Useless life?
I know what you’re thinking! What a useless life? What you fail to see is the opportunity. The opportunity for being irresponsible for a change. The opportunity of not giving a d*mn for anyone’s opinion. The opportunity of being a fool and it being ok. And trust me: this is needed. We, millennials, are called Peter Pans because we’re not willing to grow up. Bollocks. We are, but not necessarily when you want us to.
Why useless is OK
It is not OK to force a 14 or 15-year-old to know what they want to do their entire life. It is not OK to have to choose a profession without a single working day experience. It is not OK to be 20 years old and 50k in debt. It is not OK to have to choose a profession because otherwise you’ll be considered a failure. It is not OK to be under this sort of pressure. And no, I am not whining. I know other generations had hard times too, don’t doubt that. But we should have improved this right? I mean us, as society should have created a better world for young people. Sorry, I fail to see it. In Japan, they’re doing DNA tests on 5-year-olds to “profile” them in their future professions. Seriously, what’s wrong with them???
No apologies, no excuses, but finally an explanation. This is what this article is full of. We are living in a world where we need to be Napa babes. Or Ibiza babes. At least for a while – so we can let the steam out. And that’s Ok, whether others like it or not. Is it dangerous? Isn’t life? At least if one lets the steam out partying, chances he becomes a mass murderer are smaller. So don’t judge us so harsh.
Back to Cia? We’re just “holding on for dear life”…
