On November 29th, we had the opportunity to attend the 40th annual Texas Renaissance Festival. The only point of reference pertaining to renaissance festivals I have is King Richard’s Fair back home (which I last attended more than 20 years ago). I did not really know what to expect. The traffic on the way to the fest was beyond brutal. It took 3 hours to do a 1 hour trip. We almost turned around but were meeting friends there. Upon our arrival we were greeted by all manner of man and beast. The festival is not just about the Renaissance, it is history and fantasy mixed with sci-fi meeting each other in a wooded Texas backdrop. Scantily clad barbarians, pirates, jesters, knights, a Scottish clan, demons, thespians, hipsters, super heroes, musicians, timelords, satyrs, centaurs, animals, and at least one naughty Santa were amongst the thousands of staff and visitors at the festival. It was quite a sight to behold. One of Chandra’s family friends has been working the TRF for approximately the last 6 years. We met him at the shop he was working at and he later took us for a behind-the-scenes look of Renaissance Festival life. This was most hospitable and definitely cool. It was a long day filled with mead and whimsy. I recommend visiting at least once, but get there early (or come from the North) to avoid the traffic. Chandra says the chocolate covered cheesecake-on-a-stick is to die for.