So what is a renaissance fair?

When my son invited me to a renaissance fair in Bristol,

Wisconsin, I thought we were going to some antique mall.

Seeing all the cars parked in some huge fields, I slowly

understood that this was something else.

Some of those who parked their cars, then came out

dressed in costumes.

Not an antique mall, for sure!

The entrance looked like this, so I forgot I was in

Wisconsin and remembered visits to England and

even to Germany.

We had come to the Renaissance Faire in Bristol!

In many ways you are on a set, with buildings that

probably have no real backside, but I loved walking

along, looking at each building. There were shops of

every kind you could imagine for such a place.

As people needed cash, the ATM machine had been

built into a more timely little building. ;-)

There were performers of all kinds, and many dressed

up in costumes that may or may not, have been

typical for that time.

It was very funny to see some of those "historical"

persons talking on their cellphones!

I loved it, despite all the phoniness.

It was pure fun!

http://www.renfaire.com/

A old tunnel in a back garden in Spain

Imagine coming in from the street to this inner court

and to the garden where I stood when I took this photo.

Then, in that back garden, you could walk down into

some really old tunnel/s.

A boy of around ten held a torch as we entered the

tunnel and walked inwards.

It was like being transferred to another time.

Spooky!

Then everything became pitch black, so I never saw

how far you could go.

Where had the tunnel/s originally led too?

Who had built them?

Had they been used in wars for hiding or escaping?

The kids and those of us with - perhaps -

a childish imagination and much fantasy,

loved it!

PS. One of the family members with connection to this

house wrote, after reading this:

They say that in the past the old tunnel of the back garden connected

the house with the castle of the village, but this is just a beautiful fairytale:

in my opinion the most probable use of the tunnel was simply to

keep wine bottles.

Yes, I stayed one night in Madrid

This summer has been full of wonderful experiences.

I must nearly pinch myself to believe I stayed one night

in the home of a wonderful couple who live in central

Madrid.

I looked down on the streets and the houses, and felt

that this is a very special city and country.

In the evening my hosts took me for a walk.

Different light than these morning photos, but

still the same special atmosphere.

I really hope to be back in Spain again!

Thank you so much to my gracious hosts!

A Monsoon Shower

This was one of the small details that made my stay at

the Yotel at Heathrow very successful.

I rented the cabin twice, once for ten hours, and then

for four hours.

In both cases taking a warm monsoon shower was

a wonderful experience. I had never even heard about

such big showerheads before.

Now I would like to find the seaweed-sage showersoap

they had there.

Any ideas?

Playing with her friends from Sesame Street

In a corner by the porch window, Kate is playing

with two of her friends.

Kate and Elmo having a conversation.

The Cookie Monster, Elmo and Big Bird posing

for a group photo.

I one day called the first gentleman the Monster

Cookie, by mistake. :-)

Sometimes Kate lets her friends dance - in the air,

like here, or on the coach.

She loves music!

When you are just 81 cm tall, Big Bird really

becomes BIG bird.

The Banana Girl

This girl loves bananas.

It made me remember my German lessons 45 years

ago:

"Essen" was to eat and "fressen" was more like

stuffing yourself.

Kate is definitely going for "fressen".

Chicago Botanic Garden

Kate enjoyed the visit to the botanic garden very much.

I like water fountains.

Bonsai trees are fascinating.

Despite the many visitors, I still managed to take

some photos as if we were there all by ourselves.

Water, water, blessed water!