Eau Claire, July 2000

We went to Eau Claire market. There were many buskers inside and outside, which gives a lovely atmosphere. I see “Dolphins” and Michael Jordan is showing at the Imax. There were many different nationalities as usual with different shops and flavors in the food-court from Sushi to Tacos. There are 2 Egyptian shops, a Mexican shop, etc., beside all the other shops; one shop just sells Canadian Mounty souvenirs.

At the Egyptian store they sell lovely silver jewelry with small hieroglyphs, scarabs etc. carved into them. At another shop we saw toe rings, fidget rings. (Two loose bands with which you can fidget) and rings the “Goths” wear from $100. These are Mediaeval claws that fit your whole finger. There is also an Oxygen bar in Eau Claire market now.

Some buskers tie animals etc. from balloons, one has pies thrown in he’s’ face, some make drum music, some play trumpets, two teenagers were dancing (“Popping”) Robots to music, some paint faces, tell fortunes, one sells Bungee balls. (A ball, which you throw away, it comes back because it is on a piece of elastic) and there was a guy on a unicycle.

Then we walked over the bridge to Prince’s island where there were more buskers. (Apparently the buskers, especially the jester with the cow costume, has been banned from the parade, as they are a safety hazard.) The Folk festival was being held there. Lovely weather, because it is sheltered from the wind with all the trees.

Tokeloshe