When the Travellingcheapskates went to Grahamstown
So one had always heard of how much fun the Arts Festival was and thanks to the First Wednesday Fever some of us could almost imagine it. We decided to put a stop to the wondering, gave into peer pressure and attended the National Arts Festival 2013.
Google was our first stop for answers to all the what's, where's and whens'. At reaching point information overload we decided to inbox old school mates, had that avoided coffee with chatty colleagues that went to on and on about their one time at the festival *rolls eyes* and we did put our Travelling Cheapskates contacts to good use of course. We saved up, made a list of fellow travelers who vanished as we got closer to the date mind you.We searched and searched and eventually booked accommodation, bought the bus tickets, did research on the Eastern Cape, Grahamstown and pretty much everything related to the festival.
The day came when we packed our backpacks, put on our thickest winter clothes and we hopped on the bus to Grahamstown, for some art indulgence. The 'City of Saints' embraced us with bearable weather conditions despite the forecast and warnings from friends. We checked into the res accommodation met up with friends and got down to business drawing up a must see schedule, figured out the map, ooh so we thought until our journey kept getting adventurous- a number of times mind you. We walked from the one side of town to the other, into Rhodes and out, up then down the Monument route as we ticked off 'our must see' list.
The different shows, things to do and see managed to postpone bed time to as late as possible. Our late curfew excuses included Indumba- a dance expression of a cleansing ceremony ritual of one of the Mozambican tribes. Vusi Mahlasela affectionately dubbed 'The Voice' gave us a memorable performance with a great build up from our side- I'll tell you what that's about. We didn't have tickets right, so we chilled by the door in the hope of a miracle and after a door slam and a change of sad face strategy we enjoyed the show with the crowds. Jou Ma Se Comedy Club was a serious ab workout with funny men on stage, Skierlik- a one man show was a good send off for us, taking us on an emotional journey.
Sunday came, stands were folded announcing the end of the festival, the end of thirst quenching episodes outside Oude 65, the end of art festivities. We now retelling our experience like the chatty colleague as we put operation lets go back into plan.
