Friday 22 February 2019

A Party in Ponsonby

The weekend of the Lantern Festival also saw a Saturday celebration in Ponsonby. I went into the city on bus 133 and hopped off on the corner of Great North Road, Ponsonby Road, and K' Road. I was as usual, a bit early. The real excitement got started after I left, but that's okay. After a life-time of work that demanded early bed and very early rising, my body and brain are still geared to such a schedule. Late nights just don't work for me. 

My post today will show you Ponsonby Road getting ready to party hardy. 


 You've seen this picture before, but I like the view of a city in the midst of a building boom. 


 The street has just been shut down to traffic and here come a couple of 'empty street inspectors' to ceremonially turn it over to pedestrians. 


 The crowds are starting to build.



 The vendors are ready. Both the takeaway folks...



 ...and the sit-down with a glass of wine sort. 



By this time, I was starting to feel a bit peckish myself. I sat down at Burgerfuel for a box of their Spudfries. 



 Here we go, the people are moving into the street. 





 Here's a store that hasn't forgotten the canine members of the crowd. 


 Where this guy and his friends came from I don't know. 



 We've bought lots of bread from this place in the past and I've just bought a treat to take home to Jeanne and Allie. She favours me with a bright thank-you smile. 



 One of the Red Bull fleet of vehicles.



 Buskers are beginning to busk. 



 I stopped in at a gift shop that was featuring items celebrating one of my very favourite artists, Frida Kahlo (de Rivera), whose image on a pillow you see beneath the woven basket I am pricing. 

Just in case you're interested: https://www.fridakahlo.org/frida-kahlo-paintings.jsp


The party atmosphere is increasing as the day moves toward evening. I've had enough fun. It's time for me to head for the bus stop and the ride back to Henderson. It'll take about a half an hour.       -djf

4 comments:

  1. When I see your posts of such a lovely day to explore, I never feel envious. I feel grateful that my brother is in such a wonderful place. With that said, IF I was going to feel envy, it would be at the great food that you get to explore also. Food beats weather in my book I guess. It is such a treat to see this beauty as we deal with yet another 2 days of snowstorms including blizzard warnings. The goods news is that it is "Spring" in my book on March 1, come hell or high water. Of course, the subzero temps which we have for next week, will provide quite the challenge. Still, in less than one week, it is Spring in my world. Your day looked fabulous and I am most grateful to view such a lovely post. McKenzie

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  2. Thanks McKenzie for the nice comment.
    We are indeed fortunate to be living in such a beautiful place.
    Keep dreaming of your northern paradise and soon you'll be up there again, in your very own summer.

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  3. So I'm wondering what was the occasion for this street party? And like the Chinese lantern festival - no lack of vendors! Food, buskers, performances and people with their pet sheep (goats?)- certainly a lot to see and do- I hope that young lady with the butterfly wings didn't fall off her stilts.

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  4. I'm not sure why they have a party, but then again, Why Not?
    The girl on her stilts looked very adept and had a place where she couuld go and sit down to rest.
    --And I'm sure there would be no lack of people who would be glad to catch her if she did take a tumble.

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