Dancing in the Rain and Fighting with German

This post isn't quite as smushy as it could be in terms of content but it's likely to be pretty smushy in terms of grammar. Seriously, I am so tired/have been speaking so much German, I can't remember how to English right now! 

Keltfest

When I went to Keltfest last weekend, I was pretty determined to write a full post about it. As you can see, I have not managed to stick to that plan but, all the same, here we go! So, this year I went with the wonderful Heleen and we had a thoroughly delightful time. It's always a very early morning start to get there from my flat and, because storms where forecast, I decided to take the bare minimum (i.e. no camera) and just go to enjoy myself. And I think it's pretty fair to say that we really did have a good time. We watched William's solo set which was lovely, no surprise there. It's nice to hear a stripped back set once in a while, actually, and to sit down for it. We also watched Pyrolysis... well, I say watched... it was more "listen from a distance while attempting to keep somewhat dry". While I only discovered them about a year ago, or a little less, I have started to make a point of catching their sets because they are both generally polished and high energy. And finally, we braved the rain for Rapalje because that's basically compulsory. The crowd was, as always, so much fun. Yes, I even ended up dancing for a bit - imagine drowned rat me, with no spatial awareness, carrying a super heavy bag with mead in it, attempting to dance in a crowd.... not elegant but sure fun nevertheless!

Actually, for all Keltfest is only getting a couple of paragraphs, it's one of my favourite festivals. It's always a little quieter than the other major ones and has a really nice atmosphere. There are some wonderful stalls with handmade pieces from jewellery to the compulsory drinking horns. Everyone tends to be friendly. It's generally relaxed and all round wonderful, even if the weather leaves something to be desired! At least I didn't get hellish sunburn this year like I did last!

German

The last week has been one that I've been dreading, quite frankly. It's the (final!!!) German intensive of my degree. For those of you that don't know how my silly university works (if you do then skip this paragraph), we have to do a certain number of language levels (three) in intensive study periods. Effectively, this means you study for a month non stop and are supposed to improve a full level on the European framework, and then you take (approx) half a year out before the next intensive month. I don't know about you, but I need some time to internalise new skill based information before you pack new stuff on top making the speed of learning pretty bad.... and five(+) months is a long time to forget it all.... and I am terrified of speaking foreign languages anyway. The system might work for some people but it doesn't for the vast majority I've spoken to.

So, my German class is a class of five people, including me. We were four for a while but have settled at five now. While there is nowhere to hide, it's actually a nice number. Before starting out, I made a resolution not to care so much what everyone thinks about me and just go for it this time round, and in life in general. I spoke more German in our first class than I think I ever have. I've had my usual brain fogs a fair few times, where I panic so much that I just can't access the bits that I do know. Have I told you about that time I had a conversation with a politician using only lyrics from French songs because that's all I could remember? So yes, there have been some horrible, horrible moments in this class for me already but I do think that I am getting better.

I'm not so sure that the teacher's teaching style and my learning style gels particularly well. She seems to expect us to deduce and get a feel of how things work which is a very natural way of learning, I know, and probably the best way to do it. Indeed, it's the kind of thing I've been suggesting should be used for long term language teaching/learning in schools. However, this is an intensive course and I am not going to be able to get a feel of things overnight - I'm quite slow with skill based learning. I'd prefer it if someone actually explains exactly what's going on and why, in this context. But we all learn differently.

And.... I am a quarter of the way through!!!!

So, all in all, I think the next three weeks are going to be tough on me academically and emotionally as I am constantly out of my comfort zone. I also think I am, and will, gain a lot generally from this. I will, hopefully, learn to go for it when speaking a foreign language and that is a transferable skill that I have struggled with for many years now. I'll be pretty pleased when it's all over though ;-)

Not for facebook

Keltfest

AKA stage two of the 'convert Dania to this kind of thing' project.

Getting up at five a.m. yesterday - my first day of a weekend of freedom - in order to meet Dania at silly o'clock so that we could make our way down to Dordrecht, I simply couldn't help but wonder to myself "is it worth it"? I dread to think what Dania was feeling at this point as we both shuffled our way like little zombies through the streets and onto the first of three trains. Okay, I didn't shuffle and was probably rather chatty the whole way - apparently I'm an insufferable morning person.

When we eventually got to Dordrecht it was two buses and then at last we were there. In fact, we were on such an early bus that there were only eight of us there - a far cry from the normal packed shuttles for these kinds of things - which was rather strange but did lead to some kind of socialising which is always nice and, of course, easier when there are smaller numbers attempting to work out where everyone else is!

Arriving on the festival grounds, we were some of the first there. While that does mean that the atmosphere hasn't quite built up yet, it also means that it's quite easy to look around and get a feel of what's going on where without the larger crowds of people. The grounds were quite compact, and logically arranged, meaning that we could do a loop of the stalls and basically be sure to cover everything... which is what we did. I also found that, for me, there was just the right amount going on. I probably could have spent today there too, quite happily, but I don't feel that I've missed out through not being there, heaven knows that I was lucky to go at all!

The first full set we caught was that of Finvarra and this was the first time I'd actually seen them live since Castlefest last year which was also, incidentally, when I really discovered their music. As last time I found their blend of narrative lyrics, danceable rhythms and evocative harmonies thoroughly compelling. I also have to admit that I enjoyed sitting back and watching the audience dance during the set!

We then migrated to watch William play at the Pub Stage which was basically a marquee with some benches, tables and a small stage. In this sense it had a feeling of intimacy above and beyond that of the other stages, something which benefited the solo set and made the session stand out in my mind. It was nice to sit back with a drink and just listen... I even abandoned my camera for the duration, shocking, I know!

Saor Patrol were up next and were, to say the least a little bit louder. I don't think Dania knew quite what to expect and positioned us directly under a speaker. After a few tunes where she looked rather confused by the idea of rocky style bagpipes she seemed to get into the music (I saw her bobbing along with the beat!). As for me, this was the first time I managed to catch Saor Patrol live despite attempting to go to several shows over the past couple of years. To add insult to injury, they actually played in Glastonbury just after I moved to the Netherlands but that's another story! They most certainly live up to, and exceeded expectations with their show just so indescribably full of energy coming from the performers and from the audience. Would love to see them again and both my parents are quite jealous that they missed out!

There was a tiny gap between bands we wanted to see so Dania and I wandered off to use the time productively and fulfill our earlier promise to get matching henna tattoos. Yes, we know it's a cheesy idea but that was kinda the point. Problem was, we might have forgotten to get the same design so we ended up with non-matching matching henna tattoos but hey, it's the thought that counts, right?

After that, it was time for Rapalje. I'm struggling to think of original ways to describe Rapalje which is probably a sign that I've seen them way too many times now. That said, I'm still not tired of their sets as they are invariably of the finest quality yet unique each time. From Dieb playing with a statue of a hedgehog onstage and attempting to balance it on his shoulder to almost the entire audience taking part in a pretty darn huge conga line type thing... it was just really rather fun! Combine that with Rapalje's signature style musically and you've got a great experience, all in all.

Sadly, after that, we had to begin the too long journey home else we wouldn't have made it home. Absolutely exhausted we made it back and, I don't know about Dania, but I fell asleep almost instantly. I didn't even have the energy to make a cup of tea and that is really saying something!

Henna and a Hedgehog... this is what remains of the day!

Now there's just next weekend to look forward to when the indoctrination friendly introduction of Dania continues with Celt-N-Folk. Just have to survive a week of intensive German classes first... oh no!