Glebe Fair 2012

Do you ever have a longing to explore or roam by yourself? To discover things you never knew about the very city you live in?

Glebe Fair

I am always astounded when I talk to friends who mention places or events they've visited and that i've never heard of. It's so easy to become arrogant and to assume you know your surrounds - in my case, Sydney,- when in fact, there's always more to discover.

Perusing Sydney's events sites this morning when deciding how to spend a yet-unplanned day, I stumbled upon Glebe Fair. Glebe has always been a rather mysterious place for me; one I've only rarely visited. Though each time I've been, i've enjoyed the alternative, student-y feel and the great antiques and vintage shops. 'THIS will be worth a visit!' I thought, and fortunately I was right.

The Glebe Fair has been running in its current form since 1984 (a whopping 28 years for those who are mathematically challenged) and the turnout for this year's event was expected to reach 100,000. The fair features a diverse range of stalls from commercial business stalls to food stalls with an impressive selection of international cuisines including paella, gozleme, kransky sausage, potato chip skewers, handmade fruit paddlepops, freshly made lemonade and much more. Unfortunately i'd had breakfast at home, so I stuck to a delicious soy latte, but would definitely recommend tasting these wonders next time!

In addition to the food and commercial stalls, there were charitable stalls, clothing and jewelry stalls and some extraordinary craft stalls with stunning paintings and photos, a beautiful Australian timber stall with incredible tables and bread boards, a magic show, and an 'electric cigarette stall', but to be honest although I was curious, everyone seemed to bypass this stall and for fear of association, I didn't satiate my curiosity. So if anyone knows that electric cigarettes do, please don't hesitate to fill me in.

One stall that did grab my attention was an alternative stall with tarot readings and lots ands lots of tie-dye. I ended up having a quick reading done and chose the 'Page of Air'. Apparently I have many choices ahead of me in my immediate future, but now is not the right time to make any big decisions. I need to list all my options on a page, and choose whichever option makes me feel most happy. I also have lots of anxiety in my stomach at the moment apparently; definitely some interesting insights there.

My 'Page of Air' card

Along my meanderings I was intrigued by a man from a group called 'Sprinkles Secret Walls', who was graffiti-ing onto a large board. I watched him for some time and he was very thoughtful in the way he worked. While I watched on he created the head of what I interpreted to be either a wolf or a dog. Such a privilege to watch someone developing their art. I also enjoyed a particular stall where the stall holder created jewelry out of old postage stamps from across the globe. Some of her stamps dated back to the 60s and 70s, and had been transformed into charm bracelets, pendants and cufflinks. A beautiful idea that was well executed. I have never before seen anything like this.

Mr Graffiti Guy

There were also some political activist groups with stalls, one group had created an installation of chairs in a circle, with the words 'common ground' etched onto the road. Unfortunately I'm not too sure what they were campaigning for, but I did enjoy the installation nonetheless.

The unusual art installation

I then stumbled upon a great little antiques shop which also held a clothing boutique and a florist within it. It had a great feel to it; as though you had been sucked back in time to the 60s or 70s, with suitcase tables and old-fashioned leather lounges a-plenty, and that dank smell that somehow is more alluring than repugnant.

To have the luxury of time and freedom to be able to wander and muse, to soak in the sun and to have nowhere important to be was exquisite. Do tell me, do you like spending time on your own, or would you rather explore with friends? And do you ever feel like you're only just discovering your city for the first time?