Carnival Adventure
I was standing on the balcony the other day and something felt different. There was something unusual about the sounds and the breeze, something quite out of the ordinary. It was as if something foriegn to our normal surroundings had been swept in with this new wave.
As I was driving around later that day down by the river I noticed that i had been right. It was that time of year again and the carny's were diligently working to set up their game stands and rides in order to be ready for the week ahead. I could feel a bubble of excitement inside me anticipating this childlike atmosphere. The smell of cotton candy and candy apples, warm pretzels and chocolate all making my mouth water. The sounds of each indivual ride moving either quickly, for those more daring, or slowly, for us folks who enjoy the relaxing motion of a merry-go-round, were all running through my head. There is something comforting about the carnival. Imagine this big family travelling from place to place just to entertain a city for a week. Thats really what they are, A big family that travels, and although they may seem a little rough around the edges each one offers you something different. Maybe a laugh, maybe a prize, or those really sneaky ones who will offer you a conn so great it is impossible to walk away from a game you know in your heart of hearts you cannot win.
So i had made up my mind I was going to head to the carnival and have a wonderful time, stress free, excitement and not a care in the world.
The night was perfect I had my boyfriend, my best friend and my roommate all walking with me towards the carnival and as I looked around at all their faces and listen to the conversation I felt pure happiness. Its odd this past week has really been a rollercoster ride of emotion ( fitting since it would be possible to ride a rollercoster here at the carnival but my life has had enough loopdy loops lately so I opted out of that one). The night was perfect and as we walked closer the sounds of children laughing, carny's enticing words of " step right up......win big...even if you miss you win" or " win your beatuiful lady a prize." As my best friend and I walked by we looked at each other and laughed wondering what they would say if we pretended to be a couple? I am sure it wouldnt be a new thing for these carny's they exude a hard yet a worldy take on life and I am sure they have seen more shocking sites.
As a side note....I really find it interesting how carnivals have changed over the years. I would really love to see a "feak show" those giant one eyed men, or the two headed sisters, maybe even the little midget man who can lift a tonn. Where have all these people gone to I wonder? Was there no money in carnival life? Have they found other promising careers ? anyway i am straying to far away from the story at hand.
The night was perfect...the four of us wandered the length of the carnival stopping every so often to play a game, observe the people or just to enjoy each others company. Half way through the night I had the brilliant idea to ride the ferris wheel and although it seemed like a perfectly exhillerating idea at the time when my boyfriend and I got to the top my sense of adventure faded quickly. He simply put his arms around me, chuckled at my fear and we let the ride sweep away the stress of the last week away. It was beautiful, stopped at the top, facing the river, the sun was setting and the air was getting a little cooler. It was perfect; unfortunetly all rides must come to an end. We thanked our carny host for the great ride and walked into the crowd to meet up with our other half. :)
All in all by the time the sun had gone down my best friend and I were walking away with two shrek dolls, smiles on our faces and for me...not a care in the world. Arm in arm with my baby....it doesnt get much better than this.
( Later that evening back at the apartment)
Standing in the kitchen still reeling from the amazing time at the carnival and now With a shot of tequilla behind us all four of us, wine glasses in hand we moved out onto our balcony and began to relax. The evening was filled with conversation about sex, and women's issues, men, moral issues and even politics.....all free to speak there mind, no inhabitions. We ordered pizza and lazily fell into the dreamworld that had been created for us throughout the night. This escape from reality had been exactly what I needed, the peaceful sounds, the laughter and the fun.....
The carnival comes around once a year, bringing amusement and fun, laughter and thrills to all who attend. Unfortunetly after a week you must stand at a distance and watch them slowy undo all the tents, all the rides and pack it all in. They climb into their motor homes, their pick up trucks and follow the leader out into the distance. No one really knows where they are going next, stopping in the next big city along the way....That day has not yet come...July 4th but it is pending and there is a tightenting in my chest. I wonder if when they leave my feeling of happiness will leave? Is that another conn of the carny's? They sell you that childlike happiness ,that as an adult you have some how lost down the line, for free...but only for a week? Well when that day comes I will stand on the hill, facing the water and watch them drive away, I will wave and silently thank them for this feeling and pray that I can hold onto it as long as possible.
As I was driving around later that day down by the river I noticed that i had been right. It was that time of year again and the carny's were diligently working to set up their game stands and rides in order to be ready for the week ahead. I could feel a bubble of excitement inside me anticipating this childlike atmosphere. The smell of cotton candy and candy apples, warm pretzels and chocolate all making my mouth water. The sounds of each indivual ride moving either quickly, for those more daring, or slowly, for us folks who enjoy the relaxing motion of a merry-go-round, were all running through my head. There is something comforting about the carnival. Imagine this big family travelling from place to place just to entertain a city for a week. Thats really what they are, A big family that travels, and although they may seem a little rough around the edges each one offers you something different. Maybe a laugh, maybe a prize, or those really sneaky ones who will offer you a conn so great it is impossible to walk away from a game you know in your heart of hearts you cannot win.
So i had made up my mind I was going to head to the carnival and have a wonderful time, stress free, excitement and not a care in the world.
The night was perfect I had my boyfriend, my best friend and my roommate all walking with me towards the carnival and as I looked around at all their faces and listen to the conversation I felt pure happiness. Its odd this past week has really been a rollercoster ride of emotion ( fitting since it would be possible to ride a rollercoster here at the carnival but my life has had enough loopdy loops lately so I opted out of that one). The night was perfect and as we walked closer the sounds of children laughing, carny's enticing words of " step right up......win big...even if you miss you win" or " win your beatuiful lady a prize." As my best friend and I walked by we looked at each other and laughed wondering what they would say if we pretended to be a couple? I am sure it wouldnt be a new thing for these carny's they exude a hard yet a worldy take on life and I am sure they have seen more shocking sites.
As a side note....I really find it interesting how carnivals have changed over the years. I would really love to see a "feak show" those giant one eyed men, or the two headed sisters, maybe even the little midget man who can lift a tonn. Where have all these people gone to I wonder? Was there no money in carnival life? Have they found other promising careers ? anyway i am straying to far away from the story at hand.
The night was perfect...the four of us wandered the length of the carnival stopping every so often to play a game, observe the people or just to enjoy each others company. Half way through the night I had the brilliant idea to ride the ferris wheel and although it seemed like a perfectly exhillerating idea at the time when my boyfriend and I got to the top my sense of adventure faded quickly. He simply put his arms around me, chuckled at my fear and we let the ride sweep away the stress of the last week away. It was beautiful, stopped at the top, facing the river, the sun was setting and the air was getting a little cooler. It was perfect; unfortunetly all rides must come to an end. We thanked our carny host for the great ride and walked into the crowd to meet up with our other half. :)
All in all by the time the sun had gone down my best friend and I were walking away with two shrek dolls, smiles on our faces and for me...not a care in the world. Arm in arm with my baby....it doesnt get much better than this.
( Later that evening back at the apartment)
Standing in the kitchen still reeling from the amazing time at the carnival and now With a shot of tequilla behind us all four of us, wine glasses in hand we moved out onto our balcony and began to relax. The evening was filled with conversation about sex, and women's issues, men, moral issues and even politics.....all free to speak there mind, no inhabitions. We ordered pizza and lazily fell into the dreamworld that had been created for us throughout the night. This escape from reality had been exactly what I needed, the peaceful sounds, the laughter and the fun.....
The carnival comes around once a year, bringing amusement and fun, laughter and thrills to all who attend. Unfortunetly after a week you must stand at a distance and watch them slowy undo all the tents, all the rides and pack it all in. They climb into their motor homes, their pick up trucks and follow the leader out into the distance. No one really knows where they are going next, stopping in the next big city along the way....That day has not yet come...July 4th but it is pending and there is a tightenting in my chest. I wonder if when they leave my feeling of happiness will leave? Is that another conn of the carny's? They sell you that childlike happiness ,that as an adult you have some how lost down the line, for free...but only for a week? Well when that day comes I will stand on the hill, facing the water and watch them drive away, I will wave and silently thank them for this feeling and pray that I can hold onto it as long as possible.
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