Expo 2000, Hannover Germany
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Well, I thought that I really should add a little something to the guide, so here is my first entry.
The World Exposition 2000 is currently running in Hannover Germany, until October 31st 2000. Those of you not familiar with the Expo concept will surely know of its by-products (for want of a better phrase). The most famous two being Crystal palace in London, England amd the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
The concept of the Expo is still actually not really clear to me, If I am to be honest, but what I can say is that I havn«t actually found one person that agrees that they actually know what the Expo is for. Well my guide to the Expo is just that, a guide to the highs and lows that I see. I will attempt to give you a quick rundown and stop you running around all the 2,5 million square metres of ground, and point you in the right direction.
The first thing that becomes painfully obvious is "Twipsy" "Twipsy" is the official mascot, and I am sorry to say, wih all due respect to the design team that won the contract, he looks like a cross between a 3 year old childs drawing, and the result of a bad LSD tablet. If you really want to see him, you can at www.Expo2000.de the official site. well Twipsy has his own TV show, stickers, and a huge sponsorship following, so actually I suppose he is not all that bad. At least people cant forget him, (least of all the kids that are scarred for life as the 2.2 metre tall figure comes lumbering towards them), and in his own way he does represent the Expo in germany, a good idea, that sort of got messed up on the way.
The Expo actually got off to a really bad start. USA pulled out of the running, because they didnt get the biggest hall! We were horribly behind schedule with the building, and on the official opening day (midnight June 1st 2000) we were an estimated 9 days behind scedule. I say we, as it will become painfully clear, i was working there at the time.
My first real indication that the brown sticky stuff was about to hit the fan, was about 3am June 31st sitting on a bench, beer in hand after finishing a 45 hour shift, and then my mobile phone ringing, asking me where the 923 barrels of beer should be delivered. The 12 lorrys laden full withthe stuff was a sight i will not forget! after sending them on their way (not after waking the idiot up that had ordered it) I looked at the big TV screen (the T-Digit, the largest TV in the world) and saw the countdown. 20 hours 47 inutes 46 seconds. I looked up and then just laughed. As if someone was reall ytrying to help us, it then started to rain. The next time i got really to my self was on June 5th.
Ok, so i have already not achieved what I wanted to do. I will give you a rough guide. I just want you to realise a little of the chaos
that surrounds the Expo, so you can appreciate the beauty.
A quick rundown of the pavillions to see:
Venezuela a masterpiece of technical engineering, designed in the shape of a flower, with meatl petals that open and close. The flowers and fish displays are breathtaking.
Canada Another stunning pavillion, this time filled with lights, water and lasers. dont forget to try the whisky!!!
Iceland A huge blue cube, with freezing cold water flowing down the four vertical surfaces. never been in there to tell you teh truth, but the pavillion is stunning.
DSL Cyclebowl a multimedia experience to blow you away. A huge artificial cyclone that spins just centimetres away greets you, but no wind has made this laser, light and computer monster.
Australia Not a great feal in the pavillion, but worth a mention for the best late night partys on the Expo
Ok, its not finished, but i need to do a bit of research. back soon with part 2
The World Exposition 2000 is currently running in Hannover Germany, until October 31st 2000. Those of you not familiar with the Expo concept will surely know of its by-products (for want of a better phrase). The most famous two being Crystal palace in London, England amd the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
The concept of the Expo is still actually not really clear to me, If I am to be honest, but what I can say is that I havn«t actually found one person that agrees that they actually know what the Expo is for. Well my guide to the Expo is just that, a guide to the highs and lows that I see. I will attempt to give you a quick rundown and stop you running around all the 2,5 million square metres of ground, and point you in the right direction.
The first thing that becomes painfully obvious is "Twipsy" "Twipsy" is the official mascot, and I am sorry to say, wih all due respect to the design team that won the contract, he looks like a cross between a 3 year old childs drawing, and the result of a bad LSD tablet. If you really want to see him, you can at www.Expo2000.de the official site. well Twipsy has his own TV show, stickers, and a huge sponsorship following, so actually I suppose he is not all that bad. At least people cant forget him, (least of all the kids that are scarred for life as the 2.2 metre tall figure comes lumbering towards them), and in his own way he does represent the Expo in germany, a good idea, that sort of got messed up on the way.
The Expo actually got off to a really bad start. USA pulled out of the running, because they didnt get the biggest hall! We were horribly behind schedule with the building, and on the official opening day (midnight June 1st 2000) we were an estimated 9 days behind scedule. I say we, as it will become painfully clear, i was working there at the time.
My first real indication that the brown sticky stuff was about to hit the fan, was about 3am June 31st sitting on a bench, beer in hand after finishing a 45 hour shift, and then my mobile phone ringing, asking me where the 923 barrels of beer should be delivered. The 12 lorrys laden full withthe stuff was a sight i will not forget! after sending them on their way (not after waking the idiot up that had ordered it) I looked at the big TV screen (the T-Digit, the largest TV in the world) and saw the countdown. 20 hours 47 inutes 46 seconds. I looked up and then just laughed. As if someone was reall ytrying to help us, it then started to rain. The next time i got really to my self was on June 5th.
Ok, so i have already not achieved what I wanted to do. I will give you a rough guide. I just want you to realise a little of the chaos
that surrounds the Expo, so you can appreciate the beauty.
A quick rundown of the pavillions to see:
Venezuela a masterpiece of technical engineering, designed in the shape of a flower, with meatl petals that open and close. The flowers and fish displays are breathtaking.
Canada Another stunning pavillion, this time filled with lights, water and lasers. dont forget to try the whisky!!!
Iceland A huge blue cube, with freezing cold water flowing down the four vertical surfaces. never been in there to tell you teh truth, but the pavillion is stunning.
DSL Cyclebowl a multimedia experience to blow you away. A huge artificial cyclone that spins just centimetres away greets you, but no wind has made this laser, light and computer monster.
Australia Not a great feal in the pavillion, but worth a mention for the best late night partys on the Expo
Ok, its not finished, but i need to do a bit of research. back soon with part 2
