Nature Sketcher

Love, love Earth Day!

This year, for the first time since I came to San Luis Obispo four years ago, Earth Day festival was held at the El Chorro Regional Park near Cuesta College. It was very disturbing for me at first, because I don’t have a car. Then, to my happiness, I found out that there is RTA shuttle and SLO transit bus running all day to the park for free during the festival!

Go SLO public transit!!!

I took the bus at 10:00 AM, when I found another bonus to the free bus day during Earth Day – guarantee double decker! I got to ride at the top front sits all the way to Cuesta. The scenery was beautiful, as the Central Coast has always been. I was rather pleased, and so was the little kid sitting next to me. Everyone on the car was just having a very peaceful day, and they all started talking as soon as they got on the bus. I joined in for a while, but as most of the rider were the elder local residences, I slowly recede to quiet listening. It was very peaceful and calming that way.

We switched to a shuttle when we got to Cuesta. The lady sitting next to me wore a hat decorated with jasmine. We somehow struck up a conversation about it. Before I know it, I was at the festival. There were so many booth! No wonder it is not hold at the Mission Plaza this time. The area had a lot of wild grasses though, so it was a good thing I wore jeans and sketchers shoe (which also help me struck up a cute conversation with the little child at the bus when I was waiting for the Cuesta shuttle ).

I took a quick walk around first – or I intended to. I wouldn’t deny that I got distracted a couple of times… *cough* Ummm… I was surprised to realize that I gotten quite into the SLO nature society. I saw several people that I know – Wendy from Bali Isle (she’s finally getting a booth during Farmers!) , a gardener I know from Growing Ground (We started talking about a plant that I suspected to be edible), three people from Growing Ground (one which I met once a year ago, which I recalled because of her necklace, to her surprise – and mine. Memory is an amazing thing…), and two people whom I know frequents the library (I didn’t know them personally though, just saw them around). In addition, I found three of guys from my year of architecture just hanging out at the festival.

Around mid-day, I visited the Botanical Garden for the first time. After walking back and forth to for a while (they were very busy, and I asked very specialized questions regarding gardening and culinary. I also visited the library.), I got their memebership (50% off due to Earth Day, and comes with a free subscription of Better Homes and Gardens!), a pot of French Lavender (which I got with a $7 coupon for new member, resulting in a total payment of only $2), and a magnetic tin box containing Nastutuim seeds (Can’t resist…). I am hoping to make some lavender cake and nasturtium butter once they’ve grown.

I was also planning to buy a new shirt from Morro Coast Audubon Society since their shirt was somewhat cute, but they don’t have the size I want (Extra small, of course). I wanted to take a free tree from One Cool Earth too, but I don’t have a garden to grow a tree.

Finally, I finish the the day off with a Strawberry Banana Smooth – made using solar powered blender. The bus came right when I was ready, so I ran over and hope onto the bus. It is a bit sad that the day is finally over – I would say that this is one of the best Earth Day festival I have had so far! I am looking forward toward next year already!

As some of you may already know, I got the chance to go to the Renaissance Fair last week.

As some of you may also know, I was psych both before and after the event. It was absolutely fascinating! Being a big fan of Renaissance art and a history nerd certainly adds to the joy (anyone remember me reading about Michelangelo, Tahj Maho, and Greece/Egypt myths back in… oh, middle school at the library’s little dark corner? Not that I don’t still do that… oops!)

Before hand, I did my research well. I followed the Fair’s web site advice and borrowed Elizabethan Costuming (For The Years 1550 – 1580) by Janet Winter through Cal Poly’s Library Link+ service (Very, Very useful service). While I am not that skillful (making an entire costume in less than 2 weeks while in summer school? You’re kidding me, right? I am human, after all. I think…), I am quite adapt at finding strange things. The book can be found here, very informative and interesting book:

Wait, I am getting a bit ahead of myself, am I? What is the Renaissance Fair that I am talking about? You see, San Luis Obispo host a Renaissance Fair each year.  This year, it is on July 17 & 18, and it is located next to Cuesta College.

While it is call Renaissance Faire, the events focuses on the Elizabeth periods. The people who work there will dress up for that period (There are also belly-dancers), so will some guest. Most store will sell products that fits in. In this Faire, most stores sold foods and drinks, jewelry, costume, music, and fragrance body care (soap bar, lotion, etc – DIY stuff). I also came across two fortune telling store. There was a section for fencing, horse riding, and archery – very neat to watch.

The musics were lovely. I definitely plans to check out one of the musician’s online web site. (I think I like folk quite a bit, especially the flutes and strings.) Along with music, there were also dances – all the fun of a festival!

Foods were pretty good, at least from the vender that I went to. I ordered fried shrimp, egg roll, and lemonade (Interestingly, the vender and the food is obviously Asian).

Oh, the queen hast arrived! I couldn’t tell what bird she’s carrying, but it looked pretty cool.

On that note, there were a lot of birds and animals at the festival. They are very nice and tame, too.

Look! A bird! On my hand! >-<

My library supervisor Stephine said it’s probably a cockatiel bird. Who knows? I just really like it – it’s very cute. We even have the same outfit color!

There is also a queen-like aristocratic lady (I think…) around with his people. A girl came to greet her out of curiousity – very cute and heart-warming scene.

There is also this cute pair of Renaissance-dressed girls with their mothers walking around. A very adorable trio.

And belly dancers~ Indian version of renaissance perhaps?

So, did I dress up in the end? I did! I promise that I will post the photo up, so here it is!

Credits to my roommie Kristina for taking the picture. She ride a bike all the way from San Luis Obispo to here, too. Crazy girl,isn’t she? (Oh, I can see you giggling all the way from Africa!) She’s hiding in the second photo – could you find her? (She’s hiding in the shadow – literally ;D)

I basically found a white blouse from Ross and a long flowing skirt from Rite Aid, then pair it with a yellow blouse, old antique-looking necklace, and a stretchable hairpin that forms a butterfly. Comes out surprisingly well, and one vendor commented that she thought I was one of them (Them being the people that work there). Of course, I was a customer, so she may just want to start a conversation. Still, I am pretty satisfied. It was a wonderful faire, so I hope I can attend again next year – in fact, I think I may volunteer next time around. I always did like volunteer – see all the behind-the-scene action and meeting all sort of different people. Summer is definitely the best time to be active, and nothing creates a better memorable and fulfilling summer than volunteering outdoor!