Remember the Rastas

This time last year was when there was a Reggae festival in Uppsala, where, fans from all over Scandinavia enjoyed the gigs by artists from Jamaica and Reggae men around Europe. This festival is held once in 3 years. This time there were people banging on about a Reggae picnic at the same venue instead. Thanks to Facebook and the networking it boasts of, there was a nice evening that some friends and I made best use of.

The weather had been very humid since the last couple of weeks, with showers and humidity jumping around like a monkey. That day was real warm and damp. 4 of us cycled there with great gusto to see what was up. Upon reaching, we saw a gathering of groups lazing around on the grass. No pun intended. With a Rastafarian stall- run by a man with multicoloured head cap with dreads and tees on display that spread a Bob Marley message.

Then came a band- out of nowhere. Like Batmen, they were there. Nothing fancy about their gear- a lead singer, a trumpet player, a harmonica, drums with cymbal set. They were a band that was promoting their music. A modern day "reggae fusion" would be the genre I 'd put them under. The lead singer was without a mic and amplifier. An honest attempt that most of the crowd admired and then gave into. Thanks to the beers!

This is Sweden, a country most obsessed with nature and keeping it clean- a table with two black bin bags; one collecting the cans and other collecting pet bottles and glass. Everyone cleans up after themselves here, for those who dont, there are "pant" scavengers. It means the value that the recyclable recepticle of alcoholic beverages. Some pictures from the damp yet warm evening. Backgammon kept me busy till the alcohol and music serenaded me.

Picture on the left is that of a friend of mine named Ulli, most obsessed with the music then. Was shaking a leg in vain till I said that he d go on my blog. Not the best facial expression to portray enjoyment.






Sexy sax lady and the kids that joined in.

And dancing some more, they did.




Then the rain came. The evening ended.

For us, we went on to have a nice Greek/Svensk meal at a local eatery and then cycled home. It was Ulli's last week in Uppsala. Truly, the picnic had made us all get together on a lovely evening before parting ways.