In response to a memory of faces and places, here is the (I hope) last installment of my summer people posts. Or not.
There’s Ayo, Prof. Banjo, Benson, Aunt Grace, Nikola, Niyi, Dr. Oha, Rahman, Sola, Yemi, and Yomi .
More.
Here we have, in alphabetical order, Adunni, Ayo, Bimbo, Bukkie, Damilola, Nikita, Olga, Olo, Peter, Rayo, Shaban, and Zainab.
Best of luck matching the names to the photos :).
And what is it with the hands under the chin? There must be something on my face that elicits this kind of “wondering” reaction. Hmm.
The Festival of Nations St. Louis is organized yearly by the International Institute.
Other attractions at this event includes henna booths, Chinese and Greek calligraphy stands and stands for African Hair braiding.
The annual International Festival of Nations took place yesterday and today at the Tower Grove Park, St. Louis.
It featured pavilions from all over the world with food, drinks, artworks, fashion items and souvenirs from those places being available for purchase. There were also live performances by artists and dancers from all over the world.
The food booths were from Afghanistan, Argentina, India, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Canada, China, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Germany, Haiti, Isreal, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Scotland, Senegal, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, among many others.
While at the Nigerian pavilion, an American wandered by asking if Ginger Ale was available. I hadn’t heard of that product in a couple of years. It’s one of the carbonated drinks made in the 80s by Coca-Cola company. But for some reason, the Nigerian pavilion every year at the International Institute has found a way to ship in crates of the product to satisfy the demand of an international audience. “I haven’t had that drink in a while,” I said. “I don’t even know why everyone would drink it.”
“It’s very good,” he replied. “That’s why I come here every year.”
Here are a few pictures from the event.
Random images of people I met and interacted with during the summer.
Includes Bola, Rotji, Yun Hsin, Nneoma, Laitan, Ron, Jolaade, Papa Rudy, Chiedu, and Elizabeth in no particular order. One of those light-skinned beautiful women is my sister. Go figure.