As we mentioned, the weather has been absolutely fantastic the entire time we've been here, but for some reason Pride parades this year have invoked the wrath of Mother Nature (She's probably sick of all these bitches being more fierce than her!) However, we accepted her soggy challenge with our usual brio, and resolved to be extra energetic once we got into the parade.

The costume selections ran the gamut of American icons and kitsch – 3 of our Swedish friends ingeniously dressed as Alexis, Blake and Krystle Carrington from Dynasty (together with their own banner: "Alexis and Krystle - United in Support of Homos"), Linda came as Dorothy complete with ruby slippers, Nina as Bruce Springsteen with stuble, Lisa as a Native American Indian. Pia, who we met at the seminar in Pride House on Thursday, also showed up all decked out in a tiara and pink boa. We brought t-shirts from the US with an awesome design of our NY Pride tagline "Fighting for Truth, Justice and The American Gay" (as always, thank you, watsons!) which many of us wore, including several of our new Swedish friends and supporters, with various cowboy and cowgirl accoutrement to complete our look. We also found a print shop that made a spectacular banner for us to carry (the cost of which Fredrik and Linda generously offered to split with us).

The start of the parade route was only a quick hop from home base, and on the way we attracted a ton of attention and well-wishers. We chatted up a man on the bus who was marching with the Swedish Air Force. He looked terrific in his sexy camo pants and black boots, and informed us that in honor of Europride, the SAF was allowing them to march in uniform, for the very first time.

The Swish contingent was number 101 in the parade, so it was a treat to be able to watch a good part of the parade enter ahead of us. Like NYC Pride, there seemed to be a good mix of groups, some marching with a political overtone, some more social and fun, and some just there to spread fabulosity. We are not quite sure where the "Gay Asthmatics" fit in, though, but they we loved them all, inhalers and all.

We got coveted a spot behind a "Disco Party" truck blasting great old-school music, and we were off! The red, white, blue and pink color scheme really popped in the overcast weather, and we spent the first part of the parade handing out Blowpops, Swedish Fish and stickers to delighted children and Mardi Gras beads to cute boys.

Swishers are a little spoiled in that we have a float every year, so we don't necessarily have to walk the entire parade route. 5KM is a bit of a slog in the rain., and you could tell that a lot of the marchers were feeling it. That's when Laszlo, Josh, Reyna and Anders started the cheering section, just before we passed the midpoint of the parade and were announced to the crowd over a loudspeaker (the equivalent of the judging stand in NYC). We started yelling, "Love your fag hag!" and "When I say fag, you say hag! Fag! Hag! Fag! Hag!" and the crowd went crazy! We actually picked up a bunch of marchers when the cheers started. The announcer remarked over the loudspeaker that we were the happiest group he had seen in the parade. We couldn't agree more.

The parade finished up right by Pride Park, and we all hugged and congratulated each other under the trees, then retired to a pub for some much-needed greasy bar food. Jamie taught the bartender how to make a proper New York martini, which she hasn't been able to find in Sweden so far, and he was so pleased to learn how to do it, he only charged her half price. Then it was home to prepare dinner for our hosts and friends – Sue created a delicious dish of farfalle pasta with asparagus, brie and fresh tomato, Jamie provided the veggie portion of roasted zucchini and plums with truffle oil, and we finished the meal with angel food cake, berry compote and fresh whipped cream. We also gifted our hosts with candles, wine and Mad Libs, which were an instant hit. Fredrik's rocker friends (some of whom are really famous in Sweden, but we had no idea) came over for a quick pit stop, so all told we had some thirty people hanging out in the house before the Swish boys split for a fantastic closing night party at Bern's.

Bern's was a staggeringly opulent, gilded building that looked like something more befitting Louis XIV than an enormous group of drunk homos grinding to music, but who are we to complain? It was simply gorgeous, complete with fantastic chandeliers, ornate mirrors, luxurious lounge areas, balconies, outside areas, and real glass for drinks (yes, for those prices, they should be in glass, but they were just smashed all over the floor anyway….maybe fancy plastic would have been better). The evening reached its climax, so to speak, with an amazing 2am performance by Martha Wash. (It really was raining men. Halleluja!) It was a befitting closing party for a fantastic Europride. Josh, Laszlo and Jason met up with several of the Swedish boys they've befriended all week, and made some news friends as well….let's just say someone didn't make it home until 4PM the next afternoon. Who could it be?...

All told, Europride ROCKED, and Swish made quite a splash….not just in the puddles! We also made it into the online version of QX magazine (pics on link) which is one of the main Swedish gay rags. We'll send along more pics as we find them.