The glasglow lands highland games

On July 20th I took the day off, and my mom and I went to the highland games in Look Park Northampton mass. It was much smaller than the new hampshire games, but it was definetly worth it. The second we gotout of the car we went to one of the shops. There were these christmas decorations with highland dancers nd bagipers that were home made. Obviously we go some. The thistle decoration was hung from my rearview mirror a while later. I also got thistle tea at that shop, and I didnt even know that existed! highland blend, sure, and scottish breakfast tea, but I never knew you could get thistle tea!

glowglow lands website

There was bonnie doons shortbread cookies, which are melt in your mouth delicious! Of course, when I went to the stand that woman was kind of stoic, and she offered my mother a sample but not me. I wonder if she realizes that I am just as in charge of whether we get the cookies or not. My mom always asks me first, and sometimes I'm even the one that pays. I hate when adults are like that, and I'm not even that young anymore. She was also asian, and while I'm not against asians, She didnt seem to understand the spirit that went into the highland games. I dont know if its because she isnt scottish or what (though she could have been, idk). I almost wanted to preach about how the games are a place to laugh, talk, and just plain enjoy life, not to sit around looking grumpy.

I got over it at the next stand though. The woman there talked to me about flowers. I ended up getting a silver thistle necklace with a nice silver chain. It was perfect! Exactly what I wanted! Pretty, but a little rough around the edges (because I'm not dainty). I was really interested in the people around me. I guess thats why I noticed the person at the shortbread cookie stand at all. I liked talking to them. I liked the interaction. My mom also got my cocusin this towel that wraps around you and looks like a kilt, funny.

At one stand, my mom was talking to a woman while I paid for a pin. Then, while they were talking, a bird pooped on her. My mom said "I'm sorry, a bird just sh** on me, can i have a paper towel." she didnt say it in a mean voice or anything, but she did swear, and i think it freaked the woman out. Then my mom turned to me to say "A bird just pooped on me, what does that mean?" I told her it was good luck, and the woman looked at me like I had two heads. No I'm not some freak, it just that in "under the tuscan sun" a bird poops on her and she get the house bramasole. My mom knew it meant something in that movie, but the woman at the stand didnt. The poor lady.

We got a large thing or fench fries at some stand and went to watch the highland games. THe guys were throwing things of course.I got really into it. It was soo hot though, I'm talking sweat down the leg hot. Then we watched the dancing. I love Highland dancing, I could watch it forever and never get bored. They did the sword dance, which is the most traditional ofthe dances. I have a thing on the different dances that I'll post here later. We followed the dancers when they paraded onto the field and then watched the openning ceremony.

At the openning ceremony the bagpipers marched down the field, and the dancers danced to one of the songs. I was thrilled to see the pipers go down the field, it was magnificent. There was a speech on scottish freedom, and "flower of scotland" was played. Charlie zahm was there singing, like always. The clans did their battle cries. It truly was an amazing ceremony. We went down to the weavers real quick too. My mom bought a weaved blue and white thing for my aunt lynda's birthday. Then we quickly listened to the harpers.

We ate meat pies and other scottish food before we decided we were done. My mother decided that she was going to start a Gordon Tartan afghan. She wants to make it for my aunts and uncles. I'm jealous lol. After a great day we headed home to the sound of the bagpipe.

--Jsparrow