A few extra notes today about what we've encoutered in the music scene and otherwise.
It's notable that the musicians, here and in Austin, are so open and generous with their time and talent. I chatted with the djembe player last night, and although he'd already put his drum away, he took it back out of the bag to show it to me and talk to me, while M was deep in conversation with the Irish mandolin player. They'd asked him up on the stage to play with them (he declined, not feeling quite up to THAT speed.) The ice cream social we went to consisted largely of numerous tent jams - old time, Celtic, slow jam, dulcimer, song circle, children's, and so on - and if you join them, people welcome you and thank you afterward for playing with them.
We're not actually all that south here, but trust me, we're South. And it seems to be an extension of the cliched Southern hospitality, which is a real thing - we have THREE offers of places to stay. People will put you up, and feed you, and help you fix your car, and find you a parking spot, and in general go out of their ways to make you comfortable.
Is it everyone, everywhere? No, of course not. But it's common enough to note. And you really don't get the feeling that they roll their eyes after you leave (well, I could be wrong on that one, but I don't think so.) Road Warrior is very much of an I'll-do-it-myself-thanks-for-offering kind of guy, and I am trying not to put anyone out, but in the meantime the graciousness is just extraordinary. I would like to take that practice home, as a souvenir.
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