Pennsic '00 last minute, to be retinue for HRM Queen Asa
Estrella '00 went with Master Sunjan, got to meet Sasha and Master Johann--great time, good dust storm! :)
Pennsic '99 went as head lady in waiting for Queen Groa
OERTHAN YULE FEAST--out
of kingdom trip '98 II
Once again, the Oerthans bowled me over with
their hospitality. The event was on an Air Force base, and since there
was about a foot and a half of snow, it wasn't too hard to remember the
season. My sister and I had a great time, watched the fighting, and got
the chance to chat with many people.
OERTHAN/AN TIR GREAT NORTHERN WAR--out
of kingdom trip '98 I
WOW! What a great time! I was only there for the day, and have
never been treated so warmly in my life. The Oerthans went out of their
way to make us (me and two other An Tirians) feel welcome. The bardic they
put on is EXCEPTIONAL, and the hospitality was friendly and genuine. Lisetta
and I cheered on Katharine, our one fighter, as she took on the entire
Oerthan army. She was great!
PENNSIC--out of kingdom
trip '97
I was lucky enough to get to Pennsic XXVI, graciously
invited by Stephen Bloch (mar-Joshua ibn-Eleazar ha-Shalib) to attend
the tent-maker class/discussion that he was organizing. Unfortunately,
due to some really bad Kung Pao chicken, I flew in a day late, just in
time to see the class walk through our camp. The airline lost all my luggage
(including my tent), I still felt kind of sick, and I had flown cross-country
for nothing--or so I thought. Luckily, His Grace Duke Cariadoc of the Bow
and his gracious lady wife Elizabeth were kind enough to offer me a place
to change and a place to sleep if I needed it. I spent the first night
in Stephen and Deborah's kitchen pavilion, then set up camp the next day.
The voodoo curse continued--I had been foolish enough to bring a brand
new pavilion--chosen because of its completely period exterior appearance
( I was camping in Enchanted Ground). Should've brought my big blue circular,
which I can set up in my sleep. Everyone was patient and hospitable as
I tried adjust to the completely period conversation, and I greatly appreciated
that. I got a chance to walk around and take pictures of the many pavilions,
and especially enjoyed an evening spent with the Moritu, imbibing some
homemade cordial I'd brought from home. I also got to meet many of the
people with whom I had corresponded, and discuss their pavilions and ideas.
The best thing I think I did on the entire trip was insist on a nice hotel
room with a huge bathtub and great room service for the night before I
flew home--I NEEDED IT!
CONCLUSIONS--Positive--Nice people, great learning experience, fascinating classes, awesome lightning, and the shopping was great. I especially like the storytelling, something which is not as prevelant in An Tir. Also, the scope of pavilions I saw was extensive.
What I'd do differently--No Kung Pao Chicken! Test drive the new pavilion first, fly in earlier. And, as much as I truly enjoyed the people at Enchanted Ground, I think I am not enough of a solid historian to fit in well there.