Vet Ball: Pawstruck
About two weeks ago, Pedro and I went to Vet Ball. And a week before that, Pedro got me my new favorite video game, which is why I'm writing this two weeks late.
We had considered going last year, but Covid was going around some of the classes, so we avoided it. This ball is also open to all the years of vet school, so the attendee list was huge. This year, our friend who is on the planning committee invited us to come along with him and his partner. We figured it would be a nice double date and a chance to get all spiffy!
The ball was held at a hotel in the city center, which was perfectly accessible, even in heels. Our friend guided us to the right ballroom and the hotel staff greeted us with champagne. ( I always forget the drinking age here is 18) Just before the ballroom where the dining tables were, there was a small reception area with a bar and a photographer working a photo wall and 360 video platform. Pedro and I took our turn in front of the giant rose wall with 'Vet Ball 2023' and then proceeded into the dining room. I'll be honest, I was glad to be sitting down, because not only was I not used to wearing heels but I felt tiny compared to the models flitting around. (seriously, are Scottish women just taller??)
The room was surrounded by fairy lights, which with my astigmatism, made it all very bright and twinkly. We sat with our friend and his partner, and people watched as everyone came up to our table to catch up. People watching soon became my favorite activity of the night. We had been warned this ball could get a bit crazy in terms of party drinking, but I had no idea. Not exactly what Pedro and I were expecting (but when the last ball you went to was a military ball...anything in comparison is going to be wild).
The hotel staff was working hard. Not only did they fill us with wine and food, they were attempting to keep the peace. It was evident that many of the people had 'pre-gamed' and/or brought the party with them. By the time dinner was served, we were watching security confiscate and empty flasks. By dessert came around, people were diving under their tables for more. Security tried as best they could to keep people in their seats while food was being served so that no one stumbled into the wait staff.
Then they finally opened the dance floor. But this was not what we expected either, at least music wise. Growing up in West Palm Beach, I realized we were spoiled in the music department for our school dances. We could always count on Latin music being blasted with a strong beat to allow us to dance all night. But tonight, we started with the Ceilidh (pronounced KAY-lee), which was a traditional Scottish dance where everyone joins in together. Pedro and I could not hear the instructions from the DJ nor squeeze onto the dance floor, so we stayed at our table with our friends and people watched some more. We decided to just wait for the 'dance' music scheduled for later. What we didn't realize, was the Ceilidh music was scheduled for two hours.
We had a good time hanging out and watching people (as they got more and more drunk) and eventually the DJ played some different music. (Still not the Latin flare we were looking for of course, but more pop-ish). At that point I finally saw what all the Primark bags were for. Girls were ditching their heels for crocs. Heels and liquor bottles were strewn under the tables, the photographer was trying to wrangle the more sober couples for photos, and we heard at least four people had already been kicked out.
P: The one reserved for 3rd years? Yes. The annual one with all these youngins? I've had my fill.
Me: Agreed.
