It was definitely a warm day. Way too warm for my renaissance apparel but I said I would do this and I will. I'm looking for my friend Mark. He and a few other friends are members of the SCA. This is the Society for Creative Anachronisms. They depict the medieval era as opposed to the Renaissance Fair recreating ... you got it... the Renaissance era. Mark is part of the Clan Darkclaw. A Scottish clan (if you couldn't already tell by Mark's large size and flaming red hair).   I am finally able to locate him and he escorts me around the park located on the Marysville side of the Feather River. The Renaissance Fair is put on for the public to enjoy, whereas the SCA events are for their members' own enjoyment. There are tents everywhere ranging from the pup-tents you see at Walmart to elaborate tents that look hand made.   I tell Mark that I am to look for the Hill Tribe. I have been invited to attend festivities with the tribe, by one of its members. Mark is also a volunteer constable for this chapter of the SCA so he knows where everyone might be located and if not, he can still find them.

The members of the Hill Tribe took note of my upper middle class mode of Renaissance dress with amusement and suspicion. I introduce myself and inform them that a mutual friend of ours named Collin invited me to witness the frolicking and fun. Recognizing the name, I was immediately asked to stay. Mark tells me he has duties to attend and I told him I would be fine where I was.   The ladies of the Hill Tribe were all dressed in Middle Eastern garb. They looked much cooler and much more comfortable than I so I asked if it would be all right if I changed into something that more resembled their apparel. They highly suggested I take this course of action before I fainted from heat exhaustion and if I didn't have the appropriate Middle Eastern wear, they would be happy to lend me some.   Being a novice at the Middle Eastern dance, myself, I had an article of clothing or two I might dig out of my extensive wardrobe for an occasion such as this. (imagine scarves and shoes flying in all directions as I search for them) I only expected to watch. I never intended to dance. Collin and the Hill Tribe thought otherwise.

The one thing I noticed immediately is that the women were well taken care of. I saw a couple of ladies with parasols headed to the river for a bath and later heard from Mark that the constables were notified and were dispatched to disperse of some peeping toms in that general area. As amusing as that was, I was impressed. I had heard stories but wondered at their veracity. In this story, one of the dancers was sixteen years old. She had been dancing since she was six. One evening while she was dancing for Casbah, a man who had obviously imbibed much more than was sensible thought he might get overly friendly and touchy-feely. In this tale, eight of her fellow tribesmen stood up and a couple of them escorted the inebriated man out of the circle of the pavilion where he might be a bit safer. Once I saw the girls, I understood.

I, too, as a guest was well cared for. I mentioned I was thirsty and one of the knights produced a fresh bottle of water that was to be mine. The ladies included me in the preparation and make-up procedures. I had a great time. I'm afraid I even got Mark into trouble. As I was leaving so that I might change clothes, I went by to see Mark so that he wouldn't come looking for me and not find me. His clansman said he was on patrol. I told the gentleman to relay a message to Mark that I was fine and that I would be with the Hill Tribe for the rest of the evening. The man said, "You mean to tell me he left a beautiful woman waiting!? I'm going to challenge him for that!"   I thought the man was joking so I said, "Yeah, you do that." I came to find out later that he was serious and the next time he saw Mark, a challenge was issued for leaving a lady unescorted. Oops. Mark said they were making him armor and would teach him to fight so the battle was imminent, only now they had a reason. New lesson. When in Rome, I should keep my big mouth shut! The rest of the evening went by too quickly. An MC was brought in to call out the events as they took place. He was also the world's biggest flirt and tried to weasel a hug from me. Even in the middle ages, it would have been inappropriate for me to allow it. Unfazed he received a hug from another member of the festivities.

I had a great time dancing to the drumbeat played by a live band. The girls there were amazing! They sold tassels and the tassels could be gifts to your favorite dancer. Money was not given directly for this would have implied something lewd. This was to raise money for the land fund, as I was told. Things were raffled off throughout the evening as well. A hand made wooden treasure box, a hand made dancer's hip belt and other items. And they were willing to teach any one that wanted to dance. There was fun all around and no cattiness for we were all beautiful and confident in our sexuality.