New Experiences #76 + #77
W/C 6th August 2012
New Experience #76: The National Eisteddfod
As a Welsh native, to attend the National Eisteddfod at least once is an essential experience. The fact that once may well be enough aside, this is an event that has been integral to the survival of our culture and language and is a truly Welsh day out. I went with theSprout's big sister CLIConline to promote the site but had plenty of time to watch 12-year-olds breakdance, try Welsh tomatoes, find another new experience (see below), practice my Cymraeg and pick up enough free pens to open up a small stationary shop. Gwych!
Rating: 3/5 I've been to the Urdd Eisteddfod on quite a few occasions but this was a bigger beast and had much more to do and see. It's definitely worth going to if you get a chance but I recommend wellies, an open mind and someone to translate for you. You can read more about my two days in the rain here.
New Experience# 77: Japanese Tea Ceremony
In an attempt to get in from the wet and add something different to the day's agenda, Sub-Ed Sam and I ventured into the Eisteddfod mainstay to take part in a Japanese Tea Ceremony. One of the more curious items on the line up, the demonstration was carried out by a lovely Welsh-speaking Japanese lady who dressed traditionally and talked extensively about the complex and time-consuming process of making a cuppa in ye-olde Japan. Once she had completed the ceremony once herself, demanding complete silence from the damp room, she then asked for volunteers to join her. Of course, I was soon stage bound and having been asked to remove my shoes (!?) copied her very specific way of stirring the liquid and holding the cup. After a slice of a Turkish delight like substance and plenty of faffin' about with whisks and hand positions, I drank the sickly and strong warm beverage and returned to my seat. Bemused and needing some water to get the taste out of my mouth, I left none the wiser.
Rating: 3/5 I will always respect and embrace cultural differences, in fact they excite me. The word to describe this particular tradition however is surreal.
Or baffling. Either one'll do.
Look out for more new experiences to come folks and please make some suggestions to aid me in my challenge!
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IMAGE: New by chrisinplymouth
