A GALA EVENT

Halfway through the third year at gymnasium (sixth form) in Denmark, the students have a big party. They all get dressed up in their finest, dance a special dance, change out of their finest and then go off and get very drunk. Their proud parents come to the first bit, but then get shunted off home so that they don't become too embarassing.

This year, the party is this evening. My 17-year old daughter has just gone off to the pre-gala class dinner, clad in a long black evening gown and looking very pretty. I shall have to go home and shave.

Walter Blotscher