Buddha Birth Day Festival
Last night was Brisbane’s 18th annual Buddha Birth Day Festival, held in the surrounds of the Southbank Parklands.
The weather was freezing, my lips were chapped and a spark of fever was in the air.
People were laughing and talking, pointing at lanterns, and exploring the food stalls that formed a bustling city street within the parklands.
I met up with some friends, and we took to the markets to experience a banquet of vegetarian delights.
We wandered around and snuck peaks in to other people’s lives.
There was an excellent Buddha balloon animal on the high tea table, you can just see it in the picture below.
Sounds flowed over the river and grasses as we explored.
After eating our share of steamed buns in the midst of the markets, we decided to picnic in wait for the firework display.
Satay skewers, bbq sticks and fritter puffs were washed down with plum and passionfruit tea.
We snacked on my newly acquired vegetarian jerky [when I found it I was ecstatic] and listened to the musical display.
Then came the bangs.
The river exploded with colours and lights; The city landscape a pinprick of starts as the backdrop to the night.
I took some shots, but then lowered arms to truly see the beauty that was unfolding.
I forgot just how magical fireworks are.
When the display was over, we caught up with my housemate and decided to eat some more.
Fun.
As the coldness pressed in and the lights turned low, we each split to our separate evening destinations – mine being a hot shower and a warm bed.
Sometimes I really love the city.
Stranger.
