Even The Sun Is Different Here

This'll be a quick post. To tell you that I can't quite believe what happened to me today.

I went to Barefoot to check out the Sunday afternoon jazz that goes on. There's something about the Barefoot Garden that is beyond description. So I won't try to describe it. I have never seen a photograph, a narrative or a video clip that can put across the ambience of the place, its feel and atmosphere. As Mala said

"Even the sun is different at Barefoot."

So, there I was, in one of the most relaxing settings I can imagine, only I didn't have to imagine it because I was there. The sun was out, the music was good and the drumming was sublimely played by Shiraaz Nooramith. The devilled prawns were delicious, so much so that I nearly ate some of the salad that came with them. And I was as chilled as my Diet Coke.

The band took a break and, as I was chatting away, I heard some music come through the sound system. I knew the song, you know that " Oh what's that song again?" nanosecond of a moment? I had one of them, then realised that I knew it because it was my band. I had given a copy of our demo to Shiraaz and he had asked Mo to put it on. It was a weird few minutes. I looked around at the people to see if they were reacting to the music. Largely they weren't, just like home I thought. At least no one walked out in protest or tried to get a refund, that would have been just like home. Still, I gave the money back to the wife after she asked for the fourth time.

Seriously I felt rather dreamlike. I've heard the songs so many times and in so many places and situations that I should be used to it, but to hear them at Bareass Boulevard, in that setting with that, or rather this climate, was something else.

What else? Oh yes. I've met Java Jones, all round top geezer who thinks my accent is more British than he expected, Ravana, who taught me a new word; meetspace, not to be confused with meatspace, the internet butcher. I even met thephatone, albeit briefly.

The best bit? I got to play a song with the jazz band at the Foot, more about that later, it needs a post of its own.

And I still don't know who wans the strawberry stuff!