Sooo...
The first three weekends of the North Carolina Renaissance Festival have come and gone, and I went to all three of them. Now, the Festival itself will stay in NC until the weekend of November 22nd, but...I can't afford to go all weekends.
However, now that all my weekends are done, I'm gonna log alllll my 2009 RenFaire experiences down here for you guys, and me as well.
Ready?
Here we go!!
The first day was great, and it got off to a great start by being apprehended in the parking lot by several little kids who were very excited to see 'a real, live pirate.' They were adorable, and it's always one of the best parts of the festival for me, to interact with little kids.
As soon as we got up to the gate, I was roped off to the side, to a 'special' entrance because I was carrying weaponry. i had my replica flintlock pistol, one that I am extremely proud of. I hadn't carried it last year, because I went as a gypsy, and didn't think a flintlock would fit into the costume. Anyway, I had to go off to the side entrance to have it peace-tied. That basically means I won't use it to hurt anyone. The pistol doesn't fire, so I don't know how it would hurt some one anyway, but...
Whatever they say.
As soon as we get inside, we were accosted by several of the street preformers, as they are wont to do...
One in particular was a jester with some juggling balls that didn't say anything, just waved...more on him later.
After the obligatory pictures taken, me, my sister, and cousin set out to wander around and explore. I ended up buying a pet dragon, whom I named Fido (I'll put up some pictures...he glows!), and, wait for it....
Stripped bloomers.
Now, these are fairly awesome for several reasons. First, it allows me to pin up the front of my skirts to show them underneath, as well as showing off my boots, and it surely marks me as a pirate. And everyone loves them!
Anyway...I saw the jester again. He walked up behind me, started following me, and leaned his head on my shoulder. I just went with it, which is what you do at Renaissance Festivals. We stopped, and he juggled for us, then handed over the balls, and looked at me expectantly. I have no idea how to juggle, but I tried anyway. I failed XD
Anyway, he leaned down, kissed my boots, and left. Yeah, he kissed my boots. Wow. Thats the second time it's ever happened, and the only time I didn't tell the person to, dominatrix style.
We continued our wandering, and got apprehended by Japanese tourists, who begged us in broken English, for pictures. We, of course, complied. We posed with the whole group, then individually, and they actually bowed to us when we were done. We bowed back.
Hmmm...what else about the first day?
Oh! I bought the Trotuga Twins Robin Hood dvd, filmed in NC, and got a picture with Scaramouche Tortuga after their R rated show at the end of the day. My mother took the picture, which would not be an issue, except for the fact that, being Scaramouche Tortuga, he is bound to make at least three inappropriate comments a minute.
I walked up, tapped him on the shoulder and asked for a picture. He said of course, and then said, "Wait, how old are you?"
Me: "Nineteen."
Him: "Great! We're starting topless pictures now!"
He grabs me (no complaints from me), and his tongue is very close to going into my ear at this point. Mom takes the picture, and I thank him, and leave.
If my mother hadn't been there, I probably would have taken him up on the topless offer.
Also, I got manhandled by a very pretty pirate boy who took a picture with me, my leg wrapped around his hip. Yep. My sister turned around, saw us, and the look on her face was PRICELESS. She looked HORRIFIED. I don't know why. He was teh gorgeous.
Annnnd...that was the first day. It was fairly amazing.
The second weekend, I went with my bestest friend evar, Haley, as well as my friend Jeremy, and new friend El.
This weekend followed pretty much the same formula as the first, with exploring, picture posing, and fun. Some specific points that stand out in my memory:
When I tried to get in with my flintlock, I almost got turned away. It was a different inspector and he thought my gun was real, that it could fire. He ven had the police on duty come over and inspect it, and thankfully, it passed her inspection. He said he was sorry, but to take it as a compliment to the craftmanship and quality of my pistol. I can live with that!
The rest of the day was great fun, I got apprehended by the jester again, until we left the festival and went to Concord Mills Mall, as is tradition, which goes back years for us. We entered the mall, looked through the bookstore, and went to the food court for food, when a security guard threw us out for being in costume. There's more detail on that in my previous journal, I don't want to take up too much space in this entry. Suffice it to say it was a stupid fiasco.
The Third and Final Day.
I went again with my mother and sister and her friend. This time, however, was much more relaxed. I walked around with mama this time, and took in some of the shows and demonstrations, which are all amazing. I got my mother a Christmas present, and myself a magic faerie wand that shoots out glitter
I saw the jester again, this time he came up and hugged me, and actually spoke. What he said has made my week entirely. He said, "I just want you to know, you are absolutely beautiful."
This made me sooo happy! The day ended without incedent, and I came back to school.
This year was....beyond words. Amazing. I loved it. My costume is constantly improving, and oddly enough, I get the most compliments on my gun, mostly by little boys who look at me, and say, "MOMMY SHE'S GOT A GUN!!!" To which I must hastily reply, "It's fake!"
I reeeaaalllly can't wait until next year, and I hope I get more pics for you guys up soon!
Arrggh! I concede....
I'll lay aside my flintlock and sword for this 
Euphoric
Outraged
Exhilarated
Jolly
