El Paso: Independence Day at the Chamizal

Independence Day at the Chamizal, El Paso. July 2017.

Independence Day 2017.

My go-to Meetup group, El Paso Live Music, hostessed by the gracious Yadira, got together at the Chamizal National Memorial for the combo Music Under the Stars and Independence Day celebrations.

Although I arrived fairly early, it wasn't early enough to avoid the need to park many, many, many blocks away. Fortunately, this enabled me to discover a tidy, interesting neighborhood.

Two other members of our group, Sara and Duane - constant early arrivers like me - found each other and we set up our homestead in readiness for later arrivals. Sara knows I love jicama and she thoughtfully brought fresh, juicy, cold, crispy, crunchy slices with her. Plus Tajin, of course. Mmmmmm.

A video of the fireworks below before I get distracted:

The band for the night was Neon Circus, a Brooks and Dunn tribute band.

And here is a good place to suggest that El Paso might be the center of the tribute-band universe. Which stands to reason, I guess, because El Paso is kinda off in a corner geographically (and US-centristically, it goes without saying), so we're more likely to attract tribute bands than the real thing.

Our Meetup group was in a shady spot faaaaaaar away from the stage, so our own conversation among the cool grass and leafy trees, along with the ambient energy of thousands of chuckling, amiable families around us, stole the show, so to speak.

And then when I swam upstream to the stage for some snaps, I was more taken with the genius body language of one of Neon Circus' lead singers than the music. Damn photogenic.

Neon Circus, Independence Day at the Chamizal, El Paso. July 2017.

 The swollen, close-to-full moon added drama.

Neon Circus, Independence Day at the Chamizal, El Paso. July 2017.

I couldn't choose just one photo to post here.

Neon Circus, Independence Day at the Chamizal, El Paso. July 2017.

Preach!

Neon Circus, Independence Day at the Chamizal, El Paso. July 2017.

Oh. Yeah, there were fireworks, too.

Independence Day at the Chamizal, El Paso. July 2017.

Independence Day at the Chamizal, El Paso. July 2017.

Independence Day at the Chamizal, El Paso. July 2017.

Independence Day at the Chamizal, El Paso. July 2017.

I leave you with a video of the finale:

No, now I'm really leaving you. This time with a warm glow of fireworks and humanity:

Independence Day at the Chamizal, El Paso. July 2017.

El Paso: Steps to Nowhere #3: Eve of Independence Day

View from the steps to nowhere, El Paso, Texas. July 3, 2017

On the eve of Independence Day, it was a big baseball game, hot dogs, and fireworks at the Chihuahuas' ballpark!

I walked smartly down from my apartment to the steps to nowhere so I could snag a good spot for watching sparklies burst over the stadium. 

View from the steps to nowhere, El Paso, Texas. July 3, 2017

I wasn't the only one with this sweet spot in mind. 

View from the steps to nowhere, El Paso, Texas. July 3, 2017

But I arrived in time to plant myself on a fine bit of real estate.

View from the steps to nowhere, El Paso, Texas. July 3, 2017

I felt for a woman who inadvertently chose land already settled by little bitey ants. Oooh. Ouch.

View from the steps to nowhere, El Paso, Texas. July 3, 2017

The steps to nowhere. A good place to watch El Paso.

The fireworks video below, featuring my bridge over I-10. Oh, how many times I've walked over that pretty bridge! 

Toronto: Canada Day and Humanity Massive

Canada Day, Harbourfront, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. July 2016.

Canada Day is July 1.  Canada Day commemorates the enactment of the 1867 Constitution Act, which united Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into a single political entity.

Canada Day isn't the same as the American 4th of July, as Canada was still a "dominion" of the British Empire under the Constitution Act. Canada didn't become fully independent as a nation until 1982.

But I guess Canada Day is kinda like the USA's Independence Day in that it is a national holiday, there are millions of barbecues-and-beer, and fireworks.

Anyhoo, Sandy and I sauntered down to the Harbourfront on Canada Day to see the fireworks, et al.

I savored a brief connection between Toronto and Lafayette, Louisiana, upon seeing Nomadic Massive perform. This band had appeared at International Festival when I was in Louisiana.

Canada Day, Harbourfront, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. July 2016.

The most impressive experience of the night was when everyone left the Harbourfront. The energy, the voice-song, the movement, the alive-ness of so many persons washing over the city floor like a tide from the great lake, singular souls that, together, flowed like a wave.

A video below:

Sandy and I had delayed too long to get a comfortable, good viewing spot for the Canada Day fireworks. In the area between the water and the start of the Harbourfront shops, virtually every single square inch of space was occupied. We finally settled on a not-very-good-but-acceptable spot next to a fountain pool and behind an inconvenient tree.

I don't anticipate ever needing this brilliant tip in the future, but in case it is of use to you: A magnificent view of the fireworks is to be had - albeit standing - adjacent-ish to the Harbourfront Centre, steps from Queens Quay. This has the added advantage of being close to the public restrooms inside the building. Not to mention speedy egress at the end of the display.

I only discovered this vantage point because I had to use the restroom, and when I exited the building to return to Sandy and our ho-hum spot up toward the front (near the shore line), I saw the glorious views of the fireworks from the Harbourfront Centre.

A good lesson: Being up close isn't always the best seat in the house.