Haturday — Renaissance Festival Edition

I went to Ren Faire last weekend. I totally lucked out being in Tennessee the same time as the festival is going on, which is funny because the last time I was in New Orleans there was a Ren Fest going on there, too.

Otherwise, my life is devoid of this unique pastime. There’s no Ren Faire in British Columbia, where I usually spend my days, nights, beautiful summers and long-ass winters.

Like my hat? I do. #haturday love to @saffisara and @thealliance fam!

Technically it’s called the “Renaissance Festival,” but I’ve always called it Ren Faire, since the time I started going when I used to live outside Chicago. Those days were the best, with lots of friends and much revelry, and a drum jam to end the day.

Since moving to Canada, at least fifteen years went by without being in the same place as a Ren Faire, so I’ve been pretty stoked to find myself able to attend the last couple of years.

However, it isn’t nearly as much fun going by myself. A little lonely, really, but such is the story of my life. What’s an only child to do?

Answer: go shopping, admire the pretty people, and talk to the trees.

I showed up in this hat, but promptly bought the one above and stowed fuzzy purple in my pack.

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My enjoyable (and expensive) adventure.

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Yes, it appears my Ren Faire days have been reduced to shopping and people watching. Not that this is a bad thing, really. Other than the post-spending anxiety. More on that later.

Ren Faire is full of elaborate costumes to gawk at, musicians and performers to enjoy, and shops to peruse. I did all three.

I also hugged a few trees along the way. I love trees. They love me. They help calm my nerves.

Speaking of calm, this harpist sounded lovely. I should’ve camped out and listened to her longer. Did you know I played harp when I was 3 and 4 years old? I did. Wish I'd kept at it.

I didn’t take many photos, mostly because I don’t believe in taking pictures of people without asking first. Performers are an exception, but it’s still murky waters in my books.

However, this sign seemed like a lovely model, and made me laugh.

A little farther down the road, I found a unicorn!

Do you believe in unicorns? I do.

Now, everything at Ren Faire is marked up. A LOT. The price of admission was $25, a bottle of water cost me $3, and a very mediocre falafel, made by a woman whose food-safe capabilities were questionable, cost $7. The shops sell a wide variety of goods, all at considerably higher prices than I’d pay anywhere else.

But it’s Ren Faire, and I only go once a year, if that, so I let myself live a little.

I bought the hat, which has these gorgeous feathers!

And a butterfly, to adorn said hat.

I almost got myself a kilt, and I’m a little sad I didn’t, but if I end up going back with friends during the Tennessee meetup two weekends from now, I probably will.

What I did get were these boots. And I love them, but I’m still trying to process the price.

They’re hand made, and I’ve wanted a pair of these things for many, many years. They’ll last a long time, I know. I also think they’ll fit fabulously after I break them in. Right now they’re a little tight, but the leather will give the more I wear them, and a size up would’ve been too big.

But they’re costly. So costly I’ve been having anxiety attacks about it. WTF, brain? I never spend this kind of money on myself. Can’t I get myself a birthday gift without worrying about the damn price?

Yes, it’s almost my birthday. I’m turning 40 in less than three weeks. So I went shopping. And now I’m doing self-psychology to balance out my retail therapy.

Messed up, I tell you.

Anyway, the day was fun, the shopping was great, the music was good, and the drive to and from the faire was beautiful.

There was even a real castle! I didn’t see it, ‘cause the line for the tours was too long, but there was an actual castle on the hill.

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What about you? Have you been to Ren Faire? Did you dress up? What was your favourite part?

And do you think I should trade the fuzzy purple hat pic below for the one with the unicorn at the top of this post? I like that one... Maybe it's time for a fresh footer photo. Let me know what you think!

Thank you for reading!

Peace. @katrina-ariel

(all gifs via giphy)

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Author bio: Katrina Ariel is an old-soul rebel, musician, tree-hugging yogini, and mama bear to twins. Author of Yoga for Dragon Riders (non-fiction) and Wild Horse Heart (romance), she's another free-spirit swimming in the ocean of Steemit.

dragon art: Liiga Smilshkalne

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