MindBodySpirit Festival, May 2004

By guest columnist Belinda Bowditch (whose father is wondering about that stash of herbs and is contemplating one of those "Just because I did foolish things when I was young, ..." speeches.)

Last weekend, yet another MindBodySpirit Festival rolled around. I was very pleased, as my stash of legal "Happy High Herbs" was running low, and I needed a chance to replenish it.

Since the stallholders put a lot of work into their opportunistic – that is to say, their wonderful and enlightening stores – I thought that those who went to the most effort should be acknowledged.

For those of you with allergies, watch out – this report may contain nuts. And if you're not sure what you're allergic to, rock up to the next Festival – there are many stalls there just waiting to test you for allergies.

Best Stall:
Without a doubt "The Australian Vegetarian Society". They had information on becoming a vegetarian, expelling all those myths about vegies only eating tofu and lentils, along with back issues of their magazine. Very interesting for anyone interested in vegetarianism.

Least Relevant Stall:
"Templar Innovations", who sold "magic pens". I was at a loss as to what reason they had to be at the MindBodySpirit Festival. They could at least have spelled "magic" with a "k", to fit in better.

Best Advertising Campaign:
The people at "Sweet William Chocolates" had two people walking around in spherical tangerine costumes trying to advertise their products. The tangerines were very tolerant of teenagers who wanted to poke and hug them. Two thumbs up.

Most Parentally-Embarrassing Stall:
"Tantrananda School of Tantra". To see a great blush come up on your parent of choices' face, ask them what "Tantra" means. Never fails to create an awkward situation.

Stall Having The Most Fun:
Who else but the good people at Happy High Herbs? There's absolutely nothing like a bunch of hippies with catnip rubbed all over them. The most comical stall there, without a doubt.

Biggest Rip-off:
The several stalls charging you seventy-five dollars for a pastel drawing of your "spirit guide". How much do you want to bet that each stall's artists had completely different ideas of what your spirit guide looks like?

Most Offensive Sight At Festival:
The man walking around dressed up as Jesus, who got very offended himself if you pointed out that Jesus, being born in Bethlehem, most likely did not have blue eyes and light brown hair. He worked at a stall that displayed a giant cross and had people bathing one another's feet. Religious or not, most of the Skeptics found it offensive.

By far the funniest sight that day was outside of the Festival. Two Scientologists approached the Skeptics in Chinatown, both wearing shirts emblazoned "I'm Drug Free". As we walked off, one of them lit up a cigarette.

As always, the Festival was a fun day out and a must-go for any young Mystery Investigator.

This article appeared in the May 2004 edition of the newsletter The Mystery Investigator