A Singing and Dancing South Africa's Day

No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader. - Robert Frost

Can I say “No creativity in the planner, no satisfaction in the participants?”
After lunch rendezvous with my children, I went to the South Africa’s Day with my sister-in-law to spend the rest of the afternoon expecting to experience some impact from a different culture of South Africa. To my disappointment, though not surprised, my children turned my invitation down and headed for their own interest.

A few days ago Sherry passed the information to all goldies inviting us to have some fun there. Since it was on the Mother’s Day, other ladies had to spend the whole day with their family not like me who has children caring more about their social lives and has a mother who lives far away in southern Taiwan.

I was there at three. Sherry would be there at four. So I took a quick grand tour first. No introduction of South Africa’s culture, history and scenic places? No South Africa folk dance? No South Africa’s food that’s special or unique? There were not many stands. They sold big hamburgers, big sausages, beer and refreshments. Were they all that South Africa people eat? I saw a stand that sold fudge, a shop that displayed and sold wood works mostly woodblocks, and a stage set up very likely for a band. With my stomach still fully filled with Chinese food, none of them could arouse my appetite. After the quick tour I looked at the empty state wondering when the band would come and began their performance. I hoped it would be at least alright.

During the time of wondering around, I saw a few room booths introducing Chinese culture. That was unexpected, on South Africa’s Day and surrounded by South Africa’s booths? The biggest room with a huge poster highlighted SanXi Culture Gallery. I walked in curiously. To my amazement,there was a big exhibition of all the handcrafts and art crafts made by SanXi people and introduction of its culture like Shadow Show, exquisite puppets made of specially processed leather, bamboo masks, apparel and accessories, wooden furniture and utensils, tea and food – a very special kind of big hard thick bread. I tried the tea, different and a little bit bitter. I didn’t try the bread soup made with the big hard thick bread, still no room in my stomach. Unexpectedly yet happily I got to know
Quite a lot of SanXi culture. I hope next year South Africa can make the best use of the opportunity anddo the same or similar.

Walking out of the SanXi Booth, I wondered what’s next I could do. Would I run into Sherry?
I didn’t bother to call as she does things spontaneously and has her cell phone off most of the time. Speaking of the devil, there she was! She was right beside me when I unconsciously turned my head. She was surprised, too. While We were exchanging words and taking a photo beside a huge dummy,We sensed something turmoil coming toward our direction. Wow! a show team dressed in costume of Chinese opera, walking on high stilts were approaching us with some drummers leading in the front. That gathered crowd immediately. Quite a successful and excitingl presence they made. No doubt it was from SanXi Booth. With a cheered-up mood, we headed to the band stage to check it out. Just in time, the band were there already gearing up for the performance. A band formed by three international people and the fourth one looked like a Taiwanese I thought. It was not bad at all. The songs they sang were all quite popular and familiar to us, they even sang some Chinese songs. Sherry was the greatest audience, clapping, dancing and singing along. The leading singer with his spirit highly aroused by the passionate audience especially Sherry, invited us to join on the stage. That was a blast, we had great fun. It was getting late, about time to leave. I had to drive my sister-in-law and her daughter back home to catch their train. I said goodbye to Sherry and left in the middle of the concert leaving my heart there. It was an enjoyable afternoon despite the doubt I had at first.

I hope the Africa’s Day will be different next year giving everyone an impressive, fruitful, informative and enjoyable time there.
http://picasaweb.google.com.tw/taipeitmtrini/MotherSDaySouthAfricaSDay#
Trini