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Gran Canaria... Stephanie's Pride 2008...
review
Hello! Stephanie Starlet here reporting on Gran Canarian Pride, 5th to 12th of May 2008!
I have indulged in this pride for the last four years and cannot encourage others to visit enough. Flights are cheap, accommodation is cheap... but don't trust their star ratings - they aren't Michelin and it's hard to work out how they rate places! I was baffled as to the differences between two star apartments and four... maybe you have to sleep with the mayor or something to get an extra star? The best way I think would be to go under a reccomendation.
I definitely wouldn't recommend the four star Rio palace - having had friends stay there, very expensive no tea'n'coffee in the room, no room service and a staff with a weird attitude, full of older Germans, and no guests allowed in the rooms - hence my mates checking out early and coming to stay at the apartments that myself and Masie were staying at Tenugia, close to Yumbo which if you don't want to spend cash on cabs is a must. The gay scene revolves around the Yumbo centre, which is like a five level ASDA carpark - shopping centre by day avec cafes and bistros, and transformed into a gay underworld of bars and clubs and sex bars at night.
This year I noticed huge price increases. Aqua world which is an essential destination being like a water version of Alton Towers had increased by nearly three times! 24 Euros. Or swim with a sea-lion for 42! It doesn't help that the Euro and Pound are not at a good exchange rate for us right now
Every well known face from Brighton was in attendance or performing. Masie, (my fave diva) Miss Jason, Lady James, Davina Sparkle, Scott (Drag With No Name), Keith George (Boy George Experience), Jamie Watson Joe Frances... to name but a few... and not forgetting Wilma Finga doo, (I'll say!) Even Jamie - Legends' gorgeous doorman was there! This talented bunch were kept very busy working at various venues throughout the week - (loved the Pool party at Mancha) be safe to say they took over but in the nicest possible and gorgeous way.
Where Masie gets the energy I'll never know unless she has a secret stash hidden in her boobs.
The organisation of the events of the main stage area pulled through after a change of management. There were less headliners with a more basic stage and no seated areas this time. But a great time was had by all nonetheless.
Maxine Barry, Kelly Wilde, The Weather Girls, Kym Mazelle, Rozalla and a girl with an amazing voice who I'd never heard of before called Eva la Diva - a Brit girl who was incredible and proposed to her girlfriend on the main stage which brought a tear to my eye.
I fell in love with a Bear! A Greek gorgeous bear named Constantino in a bear band on the main stage called Bear force one! Fab (they have a web site ) They totally got the crowd going and camp wasn't the word.
Gossip was rife about Pete Burns on the island - with whom I spent the Saturday night at Heaven and his non performance and demands etc... I heard both sides of this story and its not my place to comment (as hes very scary even to a bitch like me), but there's always the grapevine for scandal!
If you do venture to Gran Canaria you should be very aware of the crime out there. Pickpockets and thieves exist in abundance and target tourists... darkrooms are famed for this! They tend to work in threes and the worst one I discovered was a bar named Construction where money and phones disappear at a rate of knots and the staff didn't seem to give a damn - with no on board security offered either.
There seemed, at some venues, to be a loathing of the Brits but they didn't seem to mind taking our cash in abundance. I actually had a phone pinched and Keith George actually chased the thief down the road until he picked up a bottle! Keith is a genuine and loyal lad as well as a fierce entertainer - bless him!
I would recommend straying from the scene to Maspalomas beachfront for a lunch and bathe to escape the concrete of the Yumbo. It's easy to dive into a large bottle of JD and not see a beach if you're not disciplined about it!
There are amazing boat trips around the island. I'd always recommend the Pub Nester one. It's five hours in total with free drinks (sangria, beers and all soft drinks) and they feed you a lovely lunch. Banana boats also included, with options for jet skis - which I'd recommend, although I managed to swallow half the sea along with the petrol in choppy waters (much to Miss Ray's amusement). A laugh was definitely had... the trick is obviously keeping ya mouth shut (I never can!).
I took part in the longest drag/tv can-can/high kick line up to beat the Guinness record set by the Thai's, which happened in blistering heat right before the carnival procession on the Saturday. Cheryl Baker wasn't checking my kicks out but a lovely tranny officialis and Mr gay Gran Canaria.The record was beaten and I have to say was a total surreal experience even to a veteran tranniella like me.
The procession really brings home what pride is about. Seeing the diversity in the crowds watching - children mums straight and gay - was a joy and just about everyone makes an effort and dresses up. Even the butchest of men don wigs n heels with no care to their butch image that you see so often here. I went as Pammy Anderson as I was on the red themed Respect Holidays float. Respect are such a gorgeous bunch always, and have one of the best apartment complexes on the island. A rather well endowed gorgeous lad from Comptons made my time on the float so much more enjoyable except he's married to the Guvnor of The Coleherne - damn it!
So if you have a week spare - not too much cash required if you're in the know (and have your wits about you even when hammered) then you really will enjoy Canarian Pride, it really does have everything in abundance.
I hope you enjoy some of my snaps. It's Pride season in the UK and I intend to do em all! Dont miss Jason Prince and myself at the Brighton Pride cabaret tent as Disco ABBA!
Lots of Love cherubs, Stephanie
www.stephaniestarlet.com
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someone said...
A VIP comment randomly selected for your delight:
"helloooooo there!"
Said by Rob on Tue, 10th June 2008.
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snapped!
Click the VIP's name to see where we caught'em!
 JAMIEB
MandyGap
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about Pride Maspalomas
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Pride Maspalomas is a week-long celebration in the sun, with pool parties, a parade and... well more pool parties by the look of it! Click for more info and complete listings for Pride Maspalomas
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