Get on Down with the Locals

Attending a festival is a great opportunity to get down and party with the locals but not all is as it may seem on the festival circuit; some events have been hijacked by tourism (The Running of the Bulls, and La Tomatina, for example) and bulge out of shape with people not down with the spirit of the thing, so look further than the hype if you’re after an authentic experience. But there are hundreds of little known wonders out there that will surprise you with their ingenuity and total originality! You’ve heard of Rio Carnival and Octoberfest, but bet you haven’t heard of Boi Bumba or the Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival (even the names sound sounds pretty enticing don't they.).

Once you've picked your event there are a few hard and fast rules that will make all the difference. The best advice for all prospective festival goers is BE PREPARED:

*Buy your tickets in advance and have accommodation (or a tent if it’s that kind of festival) pre-arranged.

*Know what you’re allowed to bring. Some places don’t allow liquids, some don’t allow cameras, some don’t allow alcohol, some don’t allow dogs, some don’t allow nudity, some don’t allow women…

*Know what you’re getting yourself into. If you’re a festival virgin you may be in for a surprise, so ask around and know what to expect so you don’t offend anyone by forgetting to cover your shoulders, impaling someone’s foot with your high heels in the mosh pit or getting angry when people start throwing coloured dye in your face.

*Bring water and a spare pair of underwear and wear sunscreen and stretchy pants. This is good general advice for all situations, even when attending the opera when a niggle in the back of your throat may leave you paranoid for an entire evenings performance.

Now go free and party with the locals like it's 1999, the rhythm has overtaken your soul and a Hindu god has been resurrected...