Do You Come From The Land Down Under?

[tvordlj]

I have had an interesting afternoon, more than i expected. Went down to feed Tracey's cats and put out fresh water and caught a bus downtown to Halifax. I figured i might go to the Brewery Market. which is purported to be the oldest in North America though of course it hasn't been in this building, a refurbished 19th century brewery where the famous Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale was brewed. (Those who like it, like it a lot!) There is now an actual brewery back in the building and they do tours as well. The market has a labyrinth of narrow stone and brick walled corridors leading to a maze of rooms, shops and stalls. Much of the produce, meat, cheese and fish is organic as well but there are also lots of baked goods, crafts and even Nova Scotia wine. There area a few ethnic cooked food stalls including Greek, Indian and vegetarian. Sometimes there's a string quartet playing in the main courtyard though they weren't there today.

Anyway i patiently managed my way through the crowds, bought some yellow beans, fresh spinach and some corn on the cob as well as some fudge for a treat. It isn't raining today (yet) but with the sun trying to get out it's getting hot and it's very humid so the market, with the crowds of people, is quite sticky. I didn't stay as long as i usually do to look around, i headed back outside to the waterfront, hoping to catch a bit of breeze. And discovered why it was so crowded along the boardwalk . This is the first weekend of the Busker festival which attracts thousands to the waterfront! I must be crazy. But i continue weaving my way through the crowds and throngs stopped to watch a group of street performers. The boardwalks are lined with craft stalls as well so there are people slowing down the crowd movement by stopping there. And it's no cooler. i'm starting to think lunch and a cold beer is in order but to get anywhere where there is one i'm going to have to make my way along the waterfront a little further.

Lo and behold i came across a trio of musicians and was instantly enchanted by their music so i stopped to listen. They're called Oka and they are from Australia. One young man has an assortment of bamboo reed flutes and a saxophone (not the usual u-shaped one, a straight one). He's also got a drum that seems covered in a skin of some sort. One has keyboards, an electric drum and a bongo drum as well. The third fellow has an assortment of odd looking items but he too has a few small drums and ...a didgeridoo! :))) Oh i *have* to hear this. They play to a background of dreamy sounding melody taped music but it's just there to emphasize the players on mostly traditional instruments. They're really good and i love this music! 30 minutes and one cd later i really am ready for that beer now. There's a beer tent right behind this area so off i go for a cold one. I sit where i can watch the next act, a group of percussionists banging on metal and plastic garbage cans. They have attracted a much larger crowd and are very rhythmic but i liked the others better. I'm also reminded why i don't really like the Busker festival. Regularly through the act most of the performers urge the crowds to support them with donations, some even suggest how much you can give them because after all they've come all this way, they have children to feed, any excuse they can think of, in a joking manner, to get you to drop a few coins or bills into their pockets. I hate that. I will contribute if i like them. But having them nag me for money only makes me keep my wallet firmly shut. The Aussies didn't do that while i was watching. So i gave them a bit.

I never did get lunch because i was so hot and sticky that all i could think of was the outdoor pool behind my building. By the time i got home , however, it looks like it could rain so in the end i took a cool shower and lay under the ceiling fan for a little while and here i am, listening to the Oka cd i bought, having a cold glass of water and a plum.

Maybe i'll go back again tomorrow with my camera.

Comments

[sendingsmiles.livejournal.com]

I would SOOO love to go to Australia (or New Zealand).

Hmm... add that to my list of "things to do" page 549.