A window into a simpler life

What would it be like living as a nomad?  Daily life governed not by the ticking clock but by the rising and setting of the sun, living simply in a tepee - a bed for warmth and comfort, pots and pans hung over the fire outside clean and ready for the next meal, your worldly possessions packed neatly in a couple of wooden trunks sitting at the end of your bed and your mere existence at one with nature and the living world around you - sounds pretty inviting to me and today when we visited the "bison fete' we were allowed a window into such a life (admittedly a window for visitors) but none the less it made me think of how complicate life has gotten (and we have stepped off the manic hamster wheel that was once our life).  I have always wanted to spend the night or a holiday in a tepee or yurt and hope that one day we will be able to experience this as a family - enjoying the complete freedom that nature intended.  

 

The fete today was about an hours drive for us and as we entered the field that hosted the event it was as if someone had taken a line and divided the field in two. On one side many tepees and tents were displayed with all the inhabitants dressed in their period costume - lots of dream catchers, feathers, open fires with kitchen equipment hanging above and charming people to talk to and for them to show us how life once used to be. 

 As we meandered around this first half there are two things that stick in my mind - the first the simplicity and beauty of the furniture - a simply charming carved bench caught my eye - telling many stories of those bottoms whom over the years had rested there.  Also a couple of beautiful wooden chairs that would be great for our garden and maybe one day when Ben (our gifted man) has time he would too be able to create such beauties.

         

The second was a lovely lady who Ruby stood watching for some time as she opened her fan and fanned herself in the hot afternoon sun.  She invited Ruby into her tent and to have a go with her fan.  She had a lovely face and was so gentle with Ruby who soon mastered the fanning action.  We found a lovely tent with face painting and both the kids had their faces done - Ruby loved it and Rivan was hilarious - he tilted his head as if he was being punished the whole time his face was being painted - he was then fascinated to look at himself in the mirror afterwards and kept popping back for another look.

      

            

The other half of the field could not have been more different - stall after stall selling all kinds of American Indian paraphernalia from dream catchers made with synthetic materials to every colour cowboy hat you could imagine.  It was fun looking round but for me seeing all the tepees was much more fun and captured my imagination.  Our group (9 of us in total) ended up at the line dancing stage where the kids had a fantastic time trying to join in with the adults line dancing and taking it all quite seriously (the adults not the kids).  

              

         

We enjoyed a cold drink while we were entertained and then headed back to the car where we all had our picnic.  As the people were departing we were left with a pretty empty field to enjoy the beautiful evening and did not have to worry about watching the kids.  Great company, great food (and a wicked tart thank you Vanessa), chilled rose wine (thank you Simone), happy kids and happy adults saw an end to a lovely family afternoon out.

Comments

[rae of sunshine]

Think this must be more of an american use of the word as generally we call it a cool box or a chilly bin rather than a cooler.

[minutepapillon]

A nice way to end the holidays and great fun for all. By the way, I found this: http://www.google.fr/search?q=a+cooler&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:fr:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=fr&tab=wi&biw=1024&bih=440