Total Sensory Overload.

This weekend was quite the adventure! I drove 150 miles into the middle of nowhere to celebrate the Barter Faire. For those of you who don't have any clue what  Barter Faire is; it's a celebration of the harvest, meant to spread excess crops among farm families, The needy, hippies and regular Joes.
You could even call it, something like a northwestern "Burning man".

We left at four thirty in the afternoon, later than we both had wished, wanting so bad to catch up with the rest of our friends. I kept looking at Micheal making a sort of squeal noise and feeling like my heart just might beat out of  my chest. I was about to see so many of my best friends. People who inspire me and motivate me. Along the with prospect of bonding with these people, faire always seems to be this high energy, yet relaxing spiritual experience for me. After I always feel a little more enlightened each year.

I decided not to  drive alone and brought one of my good friends to sleep in my tent and experience this magical place for the first time. But the magic started long before we even arrived. Driving through the Colville National Forrest, The sun set reflecting of the top of yellow and green furs with bare trees left as evidence from a fire long ago. I kept telling Michael, "Do you see, we get to chase the sunset all the way to the faire."

We got there just as the sun retired over the hills and the nightlife in the middle of nowhere began. Its hard to believe that, in such darkness, so many amazing things come to life. Its almost like being in s dream. People screaming "BARTER FAIR", The crackling of fires, and laughter both in the distance and among your own camp. 

Soft hay under my feet, I  walked into the vendor camp and found beautiful people with stories that inspire and leave you feeling blessed. Strangers who share good fortune and a common kindness, I don't seem to see all the time anywhere else.

Free music, two stages, and all the entertainment you could ask for, Lazors on the mountain, lights, projectors and anything you could imagine, there is no lack of visual stimulation, including light toys, people in elaborate costumes, fire dancing and the brightest stars you can see out of the city.

People walking on stilts, covered in little LED lights. Fair is this world where the ordinary come become extraordinary and people who live pretty normal lives feel free to express themselves freely.

During the day, your eyes, can be just as easily satisfied By and large by artisans making some pretty interesting things. You can find sculptures and paintings, handmade clothing and really good pickled vegetables. You can find a unique piece of jewelry or just a good old fashioned hand dipped corn dog while you shop around. 

One really unique aspect about the mood of this wonderful place is the need to make new friends, to find someone you can relate too, or whom makes you feel good. I met many people who caught my interest, a beautiful man named shawn threw fire poy for us  right before sunrise on Sunday morning,  My Camera had died at this point, but his smile and presence was a beautiful light in my weekend.

I also came a across a tent, called "The Meditation Tent", where a little old lady with dred-locks down to her ankles served fair goers coffee and tea, providing snacks and a little break away from the bustle of the vendor area.  She was quick to  have a smoke break and get to know me. I thought to my self what a wonderful thank to do for people, just offering a relaxing moment.

My weekend was so magical, smelling the food of the fair and getting to know strangers and bonding with my friends, whom I only get to see once or twice in a year.
I love taking portraits of the people I love, and finding expressions that really communicate to viewers the emotions that sometimes evade our daily thinking.

Faire, is all about joy, about being who and what you are. Seeing your self in a new light and understanding the true meaning of kindness.

If you asked me I might say, that faire is this place where magic is real, where kindness and love over flow and my faith in humanity gets recharged and restored once a year.  I really can't think of a better way to descibe it. I am truly blessed to have spent the weekend with other like minded individuals and people who value intention over money.