On Saturday night, hardly 24 hours after we'd gotten off the plane from Saskatchewan, Chris, Ky and I -- along with a significant number of this city's varied residents and tourists -- trooped to Beacon Hill Park for the annual lantern festival, Luminara.
We'd heard the scene described on CBC before, and we'd seen pictures of the lantern scultpures on the Luminara site, but we had no idea how chaotic and surreal it would be. Not only was the park full of glowing art exhibits, but it was also teeming with thousands upon thousands of visitors, all carrying and wearing glowing objects. Many were strongly influenced by the Midsummer Night's Dream connotations of the event and dressed as fairies. I went into sensory overload in the most crowded area, because in addition to the heat, the lights, and the people, there were many different musical and dance groups performing at the same time: fire-throwers performing to surreal music, Aboriginal drummers, singers, jazz bands, tap dancers. Everywhere I wandered there was a new sound filling my ears.
We were meeting up with friends, and so finally we stopped trying to mill around with the crowds, and found a place to sit and watch. That was my favourite part (other than the point where we found a quiet pond filled with glowing boats): I got to sit and watch this city's wacky residents. Victoria is the best place ever for people-watching, especially when you get away from the youth-conformity of the University. There was an old lady who had looped a glow stick through her curly white hair, making all her hair glow bright pink. Ky and I lingered near this dragon composed of red tags where visitors had written their wishes. We listened as two young guys read through them: "Everyone here seems to wish for 'clarity' and for good health for their families.... Hey! 'I wish for an RV!'"
It was such a different event than the sorts of things we've attended in Regina. It was so strange, so overwhelming and yet so beautiful all at the same time.
Next year, Chris and I are going to make our own lanterns to carry around.
11 comments:
They have a festival like that every year in Regina. I've been to it before. I forget what it is called.
The closest thing in Regina that I can find would be the Dragon Boat Festival, and this is nothing like the Dragon Boat Festival. (I just checked through all of Tourism Regina's event calendar.) Are you thinking of Saskatoon?
And I also meant that the kind of people and everything like that is entirely different than what you'd see in Regina. This is not to reflect negatively on Regina at all.
Were you worried some angry blogger was going to harsh on you for being mean to Regina?
Cause that's me.
I hate you forever now.
I knew it! Come back, Lynniiiiiiiiiiiie!
It also is because I seem to be surrounded by people who are looking for evidence that I have forsaken Regina and have gone West Coast. I can love two places at once.
I have never been to anything like that in Saskatoon, it was Regina. Sorry, I thought you were talking about the event not the people. I think you could say the same thing about teh people you encounter everyday.
No, that's not what I meant. But this conversation's making me tired.
I think I know exactly what you mean Maryanne and I agree that you can love two places at once. I equally love Regina and Saskatoon, even though Saskatoon people (some of them anyway) seem to think there is this great rivalry.
Do you remember how much fun it was the one night the two of us went to the Dragon Boat festival. I'm so glad I get to comem see you next week.
Oh, this sounds amazing!
(By the way, I just saw your comment on my blog. If you email me (or leave your email address in my comments) I'll be happy to tell you the area I reasearch in. I just don't go into too many details on blog to prevent being easily googleable!)
lanterns on the lake people!
globe theater puts it on i believe.
Thank you Amanda. I've spent the last few days trying to think of what it. I knew Janny wasn't crazy.
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