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The Cruise--Details

I didn't include more details in the prior "The Cruise" post for two reasons. 1)  I didn't think anyone would be interested; and 2)  This trip didn't include much of the normal topics:  good beer, good coffee or John-style travel. But there are details, which may be useful to some people contemplating how such a trip is put together. On the first day of the trip, we drove three hours to pick up my mother in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  At 85, she isn't comfortable driving for long distances and hadn't flown for many years. We then drove 3 1/2 more hours to Chicago, where we checked into the Wyndham, where you can get a room that includes the cost of parking for up to 12 days.   We were up early on the hotel shuttle to O'Hare, where we then boarded the a non-stop American Airlines flight to New Orleans. Here, we checked into a Hampton Inn near the port.  My mother was pretty tired, so Julia and I went out for a Cajun dinner and live music.   Rememberi...
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Madison: Concert on the Square

Yesterday afternoon and evening, we went to Concerts on the Square on the grounds of Wisconsin's State Capitol.  It was a beautiful afternoon and evening.  The performers were the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and the Wisconsin Dells Singers from the Ho Chunk tribe.  

In order to get good seats, it's common for some state employees to leave work and start setting up blankets on the grounds at 3 p.m, returning after the workday is over.

 


We squeezed in shortly before 5 p.m. for the 7 p.m. concert. By showtime, there is no space left on the grass, and tens of thousands of people are in attendance on all sides of the capitol.  Most people can't even see the performers but watch on big screens set up on the other three sides.

Both of us love the people watching.   We bring a picnic and stretch out on a large blanket.  There was a nice breeze to keep the air moving.

 


By the time the music starts, and after a glass or two of wine, I'm usually laying on my back, looking up at the trees.  I'm not a huge fan of chamber music, and I almost fell asleep in the middle of the crowd.

 

There is no sleeping, however, during the Ho-Chunk performance, which is energizing to me.


The Ho-Chunk is not a poor nation, operating two very successful casinos and other businesses in the area.   William Funmaker thanked us for coming out and encouraged everyone to visit a Ho-Chunk Casino soon.  I'll pass but really enjoyed the music. 


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MFH said…
It's interesting how much Native American music sounds alike. When we first moved to Albuquerque a neighbor and I would visit over the back wall, his radio in his nearby apartment tuned to a Native station. And though I couldn't distinguish a difference, now and then he'd join in and sing along.
July 21, 2022 at 8:21 PM
John said…
I've been to a couple of pow wows open to the public when we lived in Green Bay, and there are similarities. It would help me if I understood the lyrics. My understanding is that Native American music is a way that they tell their stories and a record of their history. My musical tastes gravitate towards the story-telling aspects of folk and bluegrass.
July 22, 2022 at 8:40 AM
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