Belly dancing. Bonsai trees. Origami. Celtic dancing. Afro-Cuban music.
And root beer floats.
These were just a few of the attractions
at Global Fest last Saturday.
It was (for a woman from the Upper Peninsula
of Michigan) a boiling 90+ degrees. It was about a mile walk from my apartment
to the festival, and I am fairly certain if it had been a bit farther my skin
would have burned. But despite the heat, it was a great day to be out in West
Lafayette. That was where the festival was, in the Morton Community Center (222
North Chauncey).
I also did not have to experience the high
temperatures alone. To commiserate in the heat and co-enjoy the festival, I had
a friend with me. This was particularly advantageous because it turns out that
Devika is better at asking questions than I am. Because of that we got to learn
a bit about the dolls at the I Love Taiwan Club table, which, as it turns out,
were actually puppets whose facial colorings and clothing held special
significance. (Unfortunately none of them were for sale).
The food was also a highlight. We selected
to get the chicken kabob combo meal from the ‘Oriental Grill’ that included
(along with the chicken kabob) fried rice, iced tea, and an egg roll. We
finished the meal off with a delicious root beer float. While we ate under a
big tent outside of the community center, we got to watch and listen to Yaz
Bang, an Afro-Cuban music group.
Although I did not purchase anything, I
enjoyed looking at the various displays of scarves, fans, jewelry, and pottery.
I think the sole disappointment of the day
was that we missed the International Petting Zoo. I am still very curious about
what sort of animals may have been there. (I would be more than happy if anyone
could tell me that information).
