Recently, I had noticed on Peter Gabriel's website, an ad for WOMAD (World of Music, Art and Dance) festival. I have known about this for quite sometime, but never thought I would get to one or have the opportunity. I sent the note to Matt via email just to 'put a bug in his ear'. Due to recent expenses, an unexpected trip stateside and a planned trip to India....I never gave it much thought. I should have known better. Matt was on it. We ended up with an all day ticket on Saturday...after a bit of research on his part. There are packages to camp....a bit pricey of course, but well worth the money, I'm sure. We opted for the day out.
This all took place south of here roughly 2 hours or less away in Malmsbury, Wiltshire at Chelton Park. The festival dubbed WOMUD because of the routine occurance of rain. I'm sure we would see our share of 'wellies'. Rainboots to the knee of all colors and designs. Pink swirls, yellow stars and yes... even green clovers.
We (or Matt, I should say...)packed up our napsack with goodies and sandwiches, cameras in tow....and set out at the crack of about 10am. (Intentions good...but sleep is better...) The day started out questionably....ok, with a bit of cloud cover. A nice ride down with a stop for a bit in Cirencester http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirencester An old Roman town lying near the Cotswold Hills. Nice, albeit a bit of a touristy market village. A pleasant stopover to rest our legs for a bit.
A bit later we are on the road to the festival....off on a country road...out in the sticks....big field....I love it already! To be expected....field after field of cars, vans, trucks. After leaving the car and tromping out towards the festivites on foot....we come into a huge field of tents, nearly resting on top of one another...(maybe we didn't want to camp next time....)After that...a huge field of large white teepees...nearly on top of one another. One thing I have discovered time and time again....there is little concept of privacy or 'personal space' over here. People just accept it...not much choice I suppose.
The music that we heard briefly from the car...was now becoming clearer each step. Reggae perhaps....African....Asian...? Hmm...not quite sure yet. The vendors are scattered through the woods. Iron sculpture, yard and patio hangings of all sorts, wooden sculpture....many wares to peddle. Art of all shapes and designs.
Then, we came across a large double-decker bus....converted to a Tea Room. Cool. Next...a small tent-like underground Japanese restaurant...(please remover your shoes at the door :)
Then, we came across a large double-decker bus....converted to a Tea Room. Cool. Next...a small tent-like underground Japanese restaurant...(please remover your shoes at the door :)
Beyond the few vendors we came out of the clearing and into the midway. It was quite impressive. 3-4 stages on opposite ends, vendors selling everything from hats to recycled clothing to Mexican hammocks. That didn't include the hundreds of food vendors as well. Food of every culture you can imagine. Fantastic. It was a beautiful sunny day and the smells hovered in the air.
Actually, one of the first things one couldn't help but notice were the MANY flags. Tall and colorful. Mostly rose and grey, all different shapes and sizes. All impressive. After that...it was the bubbles. Small, medium and huge. One small booth was selling items that created bubbles exclusively. Needless to say, that was where all the children were hanging out. Myself included. That until
I was drawn to the smell of the most exquisite incense I had ever smelled. The young man with the golden-haired dreads was all too happy to help us. In my infinite wisdom, I only purchased the charcoal which burns the incense...and not the incense itself. Silly me.
Matt was drawn to a circle of men, woman and children of all ages and sizes, drumming. It was quite an attraction. There were many such circles around the entire grounds. I tried to persuade Matt to join in and get his chance, but it seemed to be quite a wait. Another time.
There was not a shortage of people either for certain. Thousands. Many waiting in line for the porta-loo. I was not impressed due to the lack of toilet paper...so I bided my time and we cam upon an 'eco loo' complete with cups for wood chips to aid covering that familiar stench. Only a pound....they had paper...worth a pound to me!
Actually, one of the first things one couldn't help but notice were the MANY flags. Tall and colorful. Mostly rose and grey, all different shapes and sizes. All impressive. After that...it was the bubbles. Small, medium and huge. One small booth was selling items that created bubbles exclusively. Needless to say, that was where all the children were hanging out. Myself included. That until
I was drawn to the smell of the most exquisite incense I had ever smelled. The young man with the golden-haired dreads was all too happy to help us. In my infinite wisdom, I only purchased the charcoal which burns the incense...and not the incense itself. Silly me.Matt was drawn to a circle of men, woman and children of all ages and sizes, drumming. It was quite an attraction. There were many such circles around the entire grounds. I tried to persuade Matt to join in and get his chance, but it seemed to be quite a wait. Another time.
There was not a shortage of people either for certain. Thousands. Many waiting in line for the porta-loo. I was not impressed due to the lack of toilet paper...so I bided my time and we cam upon an 'eco loo' complete with cups for wood chips to aid covering that familiar stench. Only a pound....they had paper...worth a pound to me!
Yet, it was a calm and peaceful atmosphere. I couldn't help but think that the type of crowd there would not 
have tolerated any less. Nice, mellow and just there to enjoy the day. My kind of people. Enjoying music from all corners of the world....Portugal, Brazil, India, Ireland, and so many others. Regarding myself as quite a hippy by nature...I felt quite at home.
have tolerated any less. Nice, mellow and just there to enjoy the day. My kind of people. Enjoying music from all corners of the world....Portugal, Brazil, India, Ireland, and so many others. Regarding myself as quite a hippy by nature...I felt quite at home.The weather turned rainy for only about an hour and cleared for the highlight of our trip. Peter Gabriel. I have been a fan since my high school days and this was a real thrill. I admired him not only for his music and art, but for his humanitarianism.
It was a gorgeous evening and the show was fantastic...even if hampered at times by the taller crowd in front of me. He played a nice variety of old and new and a nice remix "Boy in the Bubble" by Paul Simon. Ending the show with what was no surprise.... "Biko". The true reason why he created WOMAD with his small group of mates. I left that night better for a great day out and thrilled AGAIN to see another idol of mine. *sigh* It's all good.
