Eugene - King of the Fairies

   We had made it to Eugene, a sizeable city and found ourselves at a coveted craft beer venue called Bier Stein. With a vast array of tap beers we enjoyed sampling a few before settling on our half litre choices. The beer fridges were stocked with thousands of different craft beers from all over the world. Hot chicken wings, warm pretzel and a chacuterie board kept our drinks company. With wifi on hand and food aplenty, we spent the afternoon relaxing and catching up on the internet. Beside our table inside the venue were a variety of local event posters. The one we decided on for the evening was none other than a free performance of Shakespeare in the park, 'A Midnight Summer's Dream.'
   We prepared a small salad for dinner and took some extra beverages for proceedings, we walked to the park with eyes wide open. Along the way as we were nearing, we thought we must be getting close we were trailing a fellow pushing a shopping trolley of belongings. We wondered if he was an audience member, an actor, or the show entirely.
In a well rounded park with a slight rise for seating, we could see speakers and some flags had been placed deliberately. Our trolley friend settled himself down near a tree, we made our way a little further along in the shade. It would seem he too was here to view the show.
   Gradually the crowd grew, an assortment of old and young and plenty of picnic items and rugs to sit on. It was a balmy evening so little rugging up was required.
   Off to the side through some curtains, Theseus and Hippolyta entered.
   As Puck got up to mischief and Fairies ran between the audience we sat back and enjoyed our supper, our drinks and the performance. None more so than the group of small children playing off stage amongst the cut lawn. Young enough to not know what was going on, but old enough to have free play together while their parents sat elsewhere. Prior to the show the Producer had informed us there were donation boxes if we were so inclined to donate money for the local theatre company. The young children may have missed this direction and instead thought the boxes would make far better grass stuffings. So while Lysander and Demetrius quabelled, the real show was happening Off Prompt.
   The performance ended, we applauded and gathered our items, the Producer cleared grass from the donation boxes.
   As it was late, we had chosen earlier to stay in the city. An option was near the park where our vehicle was already positioned. Despite it being late, nearing 10pm, our only concern was one other vehicle parked alongside us. Not seeming suspicious, we weren't sure what to make of it. A white busted up pick up with two males sitting in the front. We gave it some moments, watched and waited, deciding how we felt. The two men exited the vehicle, as we remained in ours. They proceeded to take an old bicycle from the rear of their ute, turn it upside down and in the dark of the night, suggest they were trying to repair it. That was enough for us to think another parking lot might be better.
   A quick google led us to a larger shopping centre with spaces to spare, we made our way over and were comforted when we saw other RV's parked at the back. We joined the convoy, settled in to a space, made up our bed, closed the curtains and tried to sleep. Even though the bed is the same, the darkness surrounds you, it still felt a little different compared to our babbling brook amongst the trees the night earlier. That and the buses tended to keep us awake.