Time traveling and culture shock.

One of the most wonderful places in the world for people-watching is a Renaissance Faire.

Trying to explain the way I see the culture of the majority of people who frequent them is difficult. The boys are sort-of like this; they can wear flamboyant costumes and shout in Old English to total strangers, but if it were normal life, they'd probably freeze-up and perspire heavily if a pretty girl talked to them.

The girls are also quite interesting to watch. Many rather busty ladies find in the Ren Faire environment, their place. The clothes are flattering on them. And in conjunction with the fact that the men there are pretty nerdy usually, but are blooming in their chain-male, the girls get a lot of attention.

The culture is not only a Renaissance culture. It is a mixture of angst, feigned anarchy, sudden confidence, brute desire to whack each other with swords, and a lot of cleavage. I don't exactly fit in while I'm there and I definitely don't stand out.

But it is absolutely the best place to be for people watching.

You know, my family and I do frequent Renaissance Faires, so I'll paint us right in to the nerdy picture. We dress in costumes and wear weapons. We admire the wares sold in the booths, and we even sell some of our own. We watch the minstrels and jousting, cheering along.

It's sort-of become our family reunion each summer. I'll bet you would like it.

I'll take a bunch of cheery goofs dressed up in costumes over channel surfing any day.

A few more photos here.