Festival in the sun

I had a choice today to go and see some swashbuckling pirates in Fells Point in Baltimore or go to a festival in Ellicott City, my nearby little mini-American-Glastonbury.

My five year old, surprisingly, chose the festival, and I am mighty happy he did.

It rocked.

You see, there is a chilled vibe in Ellicott City. Music, beer, wine, kids stuff. But not organised fun. It just kind of happens in a cool way.

I can’t capture the music or atmosphere or the electic mix of people in photos of videos, but I’ll have a go with some pictures.

Ellicott City looked beautiful today

Maxine was one of the crazy-beautiful people out today

Blog buddy @hocorising Tom was pouring beer for the masses

Hoorah for the Howard County Police (HoCoPoPo)

The Bubble Man was dressed as a flamingo today….

There’s always an American flag on display

Elvis was, literally, in the building

Music and beer 🙂

Who were this band? They rocked!

Adore this sign!

Me and the kids 🙂

Again, I met people I knew and people I didn’t know. One lovely gentleman and I chatted in the queue for ice-creams, exchanged cards and have subsequently emailed this very day with an exchange of stories – his being a remarkable story of Vespas in the 1906s. I can’t ask for more surprising and engaging experiences than this in my American adventures, because it all adds up to make it all the more different, it all makes sense as to why I moved here, and it all happens for a reason.

‘Good job’, Ellicott City (I use an American phrase and I mean it!) – it was a bloody ace day in your wonderous town of history, culture and beer 🙂

‘Good people’

This is a phrase not used by us Brits. It means she/he is ‘great’.

For example (used in context today)…

Me: My hairdresser’s partner is the chef at your place….mmmm, love your pulled pork rolls (take bite).
Chap serving pulled pork rolls: You know Jessica? She’s good people, she is.
Me: Yes, she is.
Chap: By the way, your hair looks great.

I likey-like this phrase, but doubt that I will use it, as I am still far too British, and would probably still say ‘oh yes, she’s lovely, she is’ instead, which she is (and yes, she is a good hairdresser at the The Loft, Clarksville…)

The kids don’t get it

I had another under-6 year old child with me today and she didn’t really get what I was saying a lot of the time, which greatly amused me.

I shall explain:

My ‘Are you both having a brilliant time?’ was met with… ‘What…?’
‘An awesome time….?’ I ventured.
‘Oh yes,’ she said.

‘Harry, please put that in the rubbish,’ said I.
‘Where does Harry have to put it?’ she queried.
‘In the trash,’ I replied.

Funny old thing this American English/British English thing innit?