there are quite a few personal traditions associated with womadelaide
the first one being - just get there - every year - no excuses accepted
others include - the same basic el-cheapo hotel in walking distance
drinking cider that any other time or place is relatively unappealing
making a plan of attack to see shows in their entirety from go to whoa
which invariably means missing out on possibly raved about shows
but the payoff is always a good spot of choice centre-front of stage
take a punt on performances taking place on minor stages (any of 7)
getting there at start of day and leaving after the last show ends
by and large ignoring others intentions and sticking with instinct
taking lots of big breaths, looking skyward and taking in the moment(s)
thus acknowledging the glorious combination of setting, weather and music
nice to have a few friends along and in sms range or sometimes closer
another lesson learnt a few years back is the revelation of indian classical music
someone in the know has figured out that the end of day is perfect for this
straight after a usually huge sound show on stage 1 has wound up
the vast majority of the crowd heading for gates and beds
but the lucky and persistent few head in the opposite direction
usually off to stage 3 which sits at the bottom of a slight hill
providing great viewing and a amphitheatre feel to it's placement
and better still a means to lay on the grass and give in to the sound
no real need to have eyes directed at the largely immobile musicians
more relaxing to cast eyes skywards, do some star-gazing and let go
tonight we are treated to some unbelievable electric mandolin playing
a beautiful combination of melody and percussion from these masters
the mandolin sound largely unrecognisable except that it sounds so guitar-ish
but not really - you know a stringed instrument is being picked expertly
combined with a tabla sound so distinctly indian and perfectly balanced
then there is just a hint of a sitar sound hanging around in the background
it takes about 2 minutes before end-of-day satisfaction takes over
with this sublime music dominating proceedings a trance is easily induced
so lying there on the grass means every other thing is a world away
time becomes irrelevant as an almost floating sensation takes over
maybe it was sleep but i don't think so - consciousness was just there
one full hour of glorious escapism brought about by music
making it a bit of a jolt at it's conclusion back into reality
luckily this involves an amble through the gardens
allowing a gentle recovery before hitting the streets
stumbling up the stairs to ye olde hotel room
collapsing on the bed and into a deep sleep
with the knowledge of 2 more days
just the best feeling really....
