Culture Filled Weekend

Yesterday my friend Ali and I drove up into the Foothills for a day at the Highland Games.  There were men in kilts galore, but sadly the young ones were all wearing running tights under their kilts, which tends to ruin the effect (it was COLD!).  The older guys were braver, showing off their knobby knees and goosebumps with pride.  We ate some good food, watched a sheep dog herding some sheep (those dogs are so cool), heard some amazing bagpipes and then two great bands.  The first band we heard was Uncle Hamish and the Hooligans; we loved them enough to buy CDs from the bass player’s mom.  They ended the show with a song that turned into the theme from “Last of the Mohicans” – absolutely wonderful.  Ever since hearing that, I haven’t been able to get the image of Daniel Day-Lewis (Hawkeye) as he says to Cora, “I will find you.  No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you.”  *delicious shiver*   

Next up was Maidens IV, whose story sounds like something out of a Nora Roberts trilogy, well, quartet.  They’re sisters, 4 out of 9 siblings, who travel around playing Celtic music together.  Mom handles the sound, one of the sister’s husbands runs the CD sales, and between the four of them they play a violin, a viola, a goat-skin drum, keyboards, regular drums, bass and guitar.  It was freezing, but they managed to dance in clogs, sing and play while looking like they were having fun. 

Then tonight I had a different sort of cultural experience; I was invited to a baptism celebration, Ethiopian style.  One of my newer partners at work is from Ethiopia, and his newborn baby boy’s baptism was today.  At the party, we were served traditional Ethiopian food (yummy) and witnessed a traditional Ethiopian coffee bean roasting ceremony.  His priest gave a blessing (in Ethiopian), ending in the Apostle’s Creed, which was instantly recognizable, even though I didn’t understand the language.   I met my partner’s father, who embraced me and kissed me on both cheeks, and was just the nicest man, even though we couldn’t communicate through anything more than smiles.  His mother was much more reserved, but seems so proud of her son and new grandson.  The new baby is just the cutest – chubby cheeks and pouty lips and a round little tummy.  There were tons of children running around, with parents disciplining in English and Ethiopian in between gossiping and lots of laughter. 

As for my blood sugars – I’ve discovered that exercise works wonders.  I went for a long walk today, and since the walk my blood sugars have been perfect, even when eating fruit and chocolate cake at the party today.  It looks like I’ve finally found my incentive to get up and go for a walk every morning!