September 20, 2004
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Sunday Adventure: Trinidad in Boston
Yesterday I went to Davis Square around 2 to hear the Trinidad steel drum band. When I got there, the band and various Highrock leaders were milling around like ants, looking for an electrical outlet. The local shops wouldn’t let us use their plugs, citing liability issues. We found some in the trees (!), powering the Christmas lights. While someone went to go borrow a stepladder, Rakesh (~110 lbs) clambered up John (~6’3″) and plugged in an extension cord. No power. I guess they’re only powered at night.
We looked down the street and sighted a Citizens Bank ATM vestibule. It had a powered outlet! I guess their ATMs have sur-”charges”, haha. So we ran four extension cables in series to the middle of Davis Square. Then we found one of the cords was faulty and had duct tape wrapped around the middle. Who keeps faulty extension cables around – fire hazard collectors? Right next to the leaky gasoline cans, car batteries, and WWII land mines? I immediately threw away the faulty cord, leaving barely enough length to cover the area:
I was a bit worried that the ATM vestibule door was alarmed, but a quick inspection showed that the only electronic device was an electric door strike. No alarm sensors. And fortunately no alarms went off during the performance. And no bank officials or cops, either.
The rest of the day went off without a hitch. The music was great, but I think the crowd participation part was the best. Pastor Ashoke asked various people from the street to come learn how to play steel pan drums:
When worship service started a few hours later, I recognized some of the newcomers from the Davis Square street performance. And we had a record 266 adults in service. Fortunately, we’d prepared extra food! Afterwards, I took the band to my place to stay over, where they slept on borrowed air mattresses and sleeping bags, courtesy of philsailer, wentsailing, pjk, rmyung, Joseph, Frank, and JiSeon. Even so, there were too many people, so Tina took the two women, and eyeman hosted a few on his couches. Men, that is.
Comments (7)
It truly was an amazing day. I don’t remember them ever playing THAT well in Trinidad, and I am SURE they never had as good a singer as last night! She was amazing!
hey ed, is that a big dandelion peeking out of your pocket?
IT was sooo great to have them! Israel is sooo funny!
CB, I think it’s a spot on the camera lens.
Yeah, the extension cord situation made me really nervous. But it was all so worth it!
In the picture, I like the guy in his boxers holding his toothbrush (with toothpaste already on it) like, “Dude, can’t this wait until later!?”
ha ha! I didn’t notice the toothbrush until now! the funny sight of that little toothbrush just started my day in such a great way… thanks!
extensions cables etc. I know a country where people would create a group which would set up everything on Saturday. Ok, Sunday morning.