You would think that two over-sized men, one dressed as a horse and the other a unicorn, barreling down the street towards me with scantily clad women throwing flower petals in tow, would have been the strangest encounter of the night, but little did I know this evening had quite the adventure in store for me. A few beverages later, scenes from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas start flickering off in my head. What have I gotten myself into?
I had
stumbled upon a street festival, unlike anything I have ever seen in my home
town. Not one for the arts, crowds or anything out of the ordinary for that
matter, you have to understand how truly unusual this was for me. There were
people in costumes everywhere, from dancers, to entertainers to people who I am
sure just like to be different. Contortionists bending in ways I never knew
possible. Flame throwers, knife
wielders, even bubble blowers. There were fortune tellers offering up
everything I never wanted to know. There
were masseuses willing to rub me down.
Flashy jewellery, tattoos, pieces of what some might call art, random
animals walking about, just so much to take in!
A woman in a fuzzy housecoat, slippers and curlers came up to me,
wanting me to pay to play Truth or Dare in a small tent with strangers. I declined the offer promptly. “Hey you, you want the Big Earl?”… I’m sure a
look of pure horror, confusion and bewilderment froze on my face as I quickly
darted in the opposite direction, as I neither wanted to know what the Big Earl
was, or find out who it belonged to.
What started off the same as any number of business trips I have taken over the years, quickly turned into one that I will never forget. I was talked into “living it up a little” and going on an adventure to see a city I have been to so many times, and yet have never really seen. What I did experience is a city that embraces the arts, quite unlike the city I call home. It will be a night that I will never forget, and perhaps, next time, may even look forward to.
Which city was this? It sounds like you had quite the adventure on your business trip. What kind of these activities did you partake in, if you participated in any?
ReplyDeleteWell, I eventually did find out what a "Big Earl" was... It is a rather large frozen banana that has been dipped in chocolate and given to you on a stick. Not going to lie, that was something that I just could not bring myself to eating in public!
DeleteThat sounds like quite the interesting street festival! Especially for someone to be a part of during a business trip. Which country were you in? Sounds like quite a contrast between something we would see here in Canada.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it would have been an awesome night. Seeing all of those people dressed up and just embracing life would have been a great experience.
ReplyDeleteThis certainly does sound like something out of Fear and Loathing! I'd say you lived it up A LOT on that trip.
ReplyDeleteJust without the copious amounts of drugs! Or the under-aged girl being held captive back at my hotel.
DeleteThe world is so big it's quite amazing! I want to travel all over the world one day probably when I'm finished all my schooling, Its interesting to see different cultures and norms and living in a different environment then what you're use to! Everyone should travel the world at least one time or else you're probably missing out on a lot!
ReplyDelete