In Retrospect: Oppikoppi

I know this is bad... I haven't posted anything in forever. The fact is, I wrote this blog post over a month ago but my internet on my PC was down so I couldn't upload it. So this is rather outdated now since Oppikoppi is over a month ago...but hey.

"Last weekend I was at Oppikoppi with my best friend. She’s already been twice but it was my first time – a crazy, fun, weird experience. Here are my top 10 tips for anyone planning to take on the Oppi experience next year (it will probably be a big one – 20 years of Oppikoppi!)

1) Arrive EARLY on the morning of the day when the bands start – we got there on Thursday at 9am and already it was a challenge to find a suitable camping site. I wouldn’t have wanted to arrive any bit later... And then leave early on the Sunday to avoid traffic.

2) Don’t just choose the first open spot to pitch your tent. Make sure that your campsite is not too far from the toilets since you will be making this walk (tent – toilet – tent) MANY times. Also scout out your neighbours. Do you like the music they are playing from their cars? You better, because you will be listening to it 24 hours a day. Also don’t loose your campsite! Many people wander around lost in the middle of the night – you DONT wanna be one of them. Remember which road you are on and remember obvious landmarks.

3) Make sure you have a comfortable, warm bed to crash on at the end of a long day. Take many blankets and (this is essential) a HOT WATER BOTTLE! Remember this means you need to bring a gas boiler and a kettle along. This is in any case useful since you should also...

4) Bring your own coffee. We did and there’s nothing better than a good cup in the morning – I hear the coffee they served there is pretty gross.

5) Be brave and take a shower every morning. The water is FREEZING but you will feel clean, energised and revitalised. Its best to go shower before 8am as the cues tend to be long thereafter.

6) Bring wet wipes! They are a lifesaver and can be used for everything from wiping the dust off your face, cleaning cutlery and wiping down your tent at the end of the weekend ;)

7) Learn a foreign language. It’s really useful to speak to your friends without other people understanding you.

8) Print out a schedule of who’s performing when. We didn’t do this and regretted it. An app with a schedule is available for your phone but you won’t always want to have your phone on you.

9) Bring cash to load onto your festival card. The cue to use cards to load the festival cards takes forever while the cue using cash is MUCH quicker.

10) ENJOY and be safe! Enjoy the music. Enjoy the food (waffles on a stick, pizza, stirfry, subs!). Enjoy the people-watching – do lots of it (it’s actually inevitable)."

I have a few more posts planned - hopefully I manage to put them up in the next days!

Love,

Ms V.