OUR FRAGMENTARY BUT AMAZING EXPERIENCE AT EXPO 2020 - PART 2
Expo 2020 had so many different sides and experiences that we could have explored. The site, all the quirky and amazing detail, the events, each pavilion from the outside, and then a completely new world from the inside. Then I’m sure everything changes into another dimension at night and with some live events which we sadly never witnessed.
In Part 1 of our Expo experience, we’ve tried to cover as much of the park as possible. We’ve also touched on some of the pavilions and mostly their exteriors. Read all about that here.
Pavilion Interiors.
The pavilions reminded me of Forest Gump’s momma’s saying, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get”. Well, the interiors were like chocolates; you never knew what was waiting inside.
Some had great storytelling, others wowed us from the start to the end, perhaps they had a room, corner or exhibition that impressed us, and then some didn’t make any impression on us and were sadly forgotten the moment we walked out that door.
I know that it sounds harsh that some were forgotten, but in a place where information and sensations are in such abundance and are overly stimulated, they really had to do something special to stand out.
The bits and pieces that we enjoyed.
Chile
Chile was, for the most part, nothing special to us. However, it managed to showcase its vast diversity inland, even with just some banners and photos.
The bit that caught our attention was the video clip about playing a tree stump/disc’s rings as you would on a record player. It’s connected to piano notes and makes for the most soothing music.
Oman
Oman had this bright and airy room focused on plants with amazing smells.
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
I think the thing that we liked most about Vietnam was incorporating their traditional hats, especially on the outside.
Lays – yep, as in potato chips, Lays
Lays had so many interactive kiosks in their pavilion, and we were like kids playing in them without taking any photos or videos. I can remember the one kiosk that released smells of the chips from the chosen country.
Their centrepiece was a swirl with any and every flavour available worldwide.
Fashion
Quite a few pavilions brought their fashion or costumes traditional to their country.
Bolivia
Saint Lucia
French – Jean Paul Gaultier
In the last month of the Expo, the french pavilion had weekly/temporary fashion exhibitions. We caught Jean Paul Gaultier’s exhibition, and they were amazing. See if you can spot Madonna and Kylie Minogue’s items.
Pavilions that made an impression.
Austria
The Austrian Pavilion was a bit different. Rather than showcasing their tradition, the pavilion was designed to fit into the Middle East and its climate. The multiple cones were designed out of clay and an open-top to keep it as cool as possible without any air-conditioning, making it very sustainable. Each cone had a sensory theme where we could listen, smell, hear and touch. The entrance had some hieroglyphics on the walls intermittently lighted up by some projector.
This had to have been the most peaceful and zen pavilion we’ve visited, although I think the lack of crowds at that time did help.
Belgium
Belgium had this big flowy pavilion covered in wood panels. Once inside, they showcased all of their latest technology with the help of their own comics.
Indonesia
Indonesia focused quite a bit on their spice wealth. The entire entrance walkway covered individual spice epoxy cubes in a map-like formation.
Italy
Italy focused on many different things, but the thing that impressed us was the Michael Angelo replica, which was 3D scanned and printed for Expo 2020. We also were able to look him in the eye, as the observatory was a bit higher.
For once, food wasn’t the main attraction for us. Although many people loved to try out all the different cuisines, we went for the pavilions and what they had to offer. Occasionally we would grab something just for a boost. Italy was one of those unplanned spots which ended up being life-changing.
We would grab a quick coffee and a pastry/snack. As always, we would choose two and then share. The chocolate croissant was the best we’ve ever had. Not the traditional chocolate in a croissant, but more of a chocolate mousse or cream on the inside dusted with cocoa on the outside.
Montenegro
Montenegro has been on our list of places to travel to for quite some time now. After Expo, it skipped the line a bit and is now much higher on our list.
We were welcomed by a lady who was so passionate about her country and told us everything she could. The pavilion had an amazing atmosphere with color-changing coloms in the middle representing their rainforest and how it changes colors through the seasons.
The interactive wall showcased everything Montenegro offers in nature while we were blasted with information.
For a small country and a small pavilion, they really did leave a huge impression on us, and we can’t wait to go and visit.
Poland
I became obsessed with the Poland pavilion, and it soon became my most photographed pavilion. They had these metal origami-like triangles that could spin on the thin pole it was attached to as the wind blew inside and out. It gave the most mesmerizing look, and the exterior almost came to life. The triangles represented the birds that would migrate between Poland and the UAE each year.
They also used wood to showcase that they are the largest furniture producing country in Europe.
Russia
Due to the unfortunate events against Ukraine, the Russia pavilion felt less popular than some equally amazing pavilions. Sadly, it was now connected to such a bad reputation. The pavilion from the outside was bright, colorful, and joyful. Once we were inside, the theme became a lot more clear. In the centre was an installation showcasing the brain and spin and all the nerve systems and sells. This all had to do with the creative mind and thinking.
Spain
I have a confession to make. We seldom read any of the information written in the pavilions. Partly because we were too lazy, partly because we ran against the clock and wanted to see as much as possible, and partly because we would feel like we were in the way if we didn’t move with the flow.
This led to many misunderstood pavilions. Spain was one of them. It’s awe-inspiring and looks amazing, but we didn’t understand it completely without the content. So we took a few pics of the weird and wonderful and moved along.
Arty Photos.
Due to all the interesting shapes, light and contrast, I loved taking some abstract, monochrome (except for one, can you spot it?) and arty photos
Expo 2020 was what the world needed. Our only wish was that everybody had the ability to experience what we have felt. Every time we left there, we felt excited and optimistic about what the world could be if everybody just did their part. It was fun, educational, mentally stimulating, and inspiring.
We didn’t experience all 192 countries, but it did feel like we did an express travel every week. We did some location scouting of countries to visit, some opened our eyes to unknown countries, and we learned more from those we thought we knew.
If we ever get the opportunity to visit another World Expo, we would grab the chance with both hands, and so should you if you get the chance.
The last thing I’m gonna add to our Expo experience is a video we came across. I’m not sure if it’s because we were there, but this video gave me goosebumps and got me emotional. They did an excellent job capturing what Expo 2020 was all about and the feeling and emotion that went with that.
What’s next…
We’re not jumping on any of our newly scouted locations yet. But T was put on a crash course of Harry Potter, and he can now tell the difference between a muggle and a mudblood.
We’re heading to the UK.
First, T has a bit of business in London, and then we embark on a brand new journey in Scotland.
Wandering off now…
T & Me
