Monetizing Art

Yesterday I went to a street food festival with a new friend. She suggested we go together a few weeks ago and I thought it sounded like a good idea. I drove into the city and met her at the festival gate where the QR code that served as our ticket was scanned. I know I sound like an old lady but I miss the days of paper tickets. What am I supposed to tape into my scrapbook when everything is digital? We were allowed past the temporary fencing and walked through a metal detector one after the other to the tents and trucks on the other side. We stood in the first line of the day to exchange our electronic cash for paper cash and then again for paper vouchers in order to participate in the main event of the day—eating a lot of different things. “Street food” apparently means meat, as that was what was available from most vendors. I was a little disappointed there wasn’t an opportunity to order more vegetables. I think it may have been that the location didn’t cater a nutritious menu. I do not have a body that should eat fried oreos after chicken wings, and fried ravioli, and a cup of corn coated in cheese and mayo, but I’ve decided to prioritize building relationships so I pressed on.

In addition to the food and drinks, there were a few DJs blasting pop hits at an uncomfortable decibel and a live musician attempting to compete. There were art stalls, and jewelry stands, and a few of those vendors who try to collect your email address and phone number so they can send a salesman directly to your home with paperwork that you have to sign today or else the price goes up 6000%. (How are those legal?) We took our time wandering in the street looking at everything offered. The weather could not have been more beautiful, and I remembered my sunscreen, so I thoroughly enjoyed the long wait for my Italian ice. As I stood in line, I basked in all her glory. The sun, I mean.

The event wasn’t the celebration of food I was expecting. I can’t say I left feeling culinarily inspired. I like to cook and bake. I enjoy chopping an onion and peeling a carrot, but the festival’s menu was pretty basic. I didn’t discover any groundbreaking flavor combinations. Maybe the simplicity is what made it street food. Regardless, a food festival is a great activity to explore a new friendship. We had a lot of time to talk to each other while standing in line for the next snack and there were plenty of nearby topics to discuss if we stumbled into an awkward lull. Thankfully the conversation came easily. We chatted as we walked down each corridor, planning what we’d eat next while we perused the various items for sale. My friend bought a couple cute craft items for herself and considered but ultimately decided against a new gold anklet because she thought it might be unprofessional. I have everything I need and was happy to stick with the consumables. I did pocket an unused voucher to save to commemorate the day. After several hours and too many snacks we decided to call it a day and left together, each making sure the other made it safely to their ride home.

It takes a lot to get me out of the house these days and I wasn’t really looking forward to the work of navigating city driving and parking before I left, but the festival was fun and I’m glad I went. I had a good time getting to know my new friend. She was curious, open, and made good company. I ate a bunch of food that was deliciously bad for me, and the weather was perfect. It was a fabulous way to spend a Saturday afternoon.