Traditional Circus-Clowns, Caravans, and Crossing Over to Europe

The Netherlands National Circus-how I ended up in a caravan next to a giant tent, in a field, in the UK

A side note on circus (for those of you who may know very little about circus at least in the modern day) Circus is somewhat of a growing area of interest in the US, especially aerial arts-silks, hoop, rope, mostly because it combines fun with fitness and creativity.  Many people cross over from yoga or rock climbing.  There are all kinds of circus acts – clowning/juggling/variety, acrobatics/gymnastics, aerial, and flying trapeze-kind of its own class.  Several troupes in the US create shows that are doable in theaters and studios, and many studios host their own shows.  Then there is Cirque du Soliel which has enough draw to run the same show in the same location and build for it.  However the oldest and most traditional, are the traveling circus groups who began with families and now hire a variety of acts, traverse the country, and pop up their big top in whichever city hits them next.  Often times these troupes consist of artists from all around the world, or families that have been in circus for several generations.  There might be a whole line of caravans with people of all ages, whole families, grandparents, babies etc. This is the type of circus community in which I am now immersed.

Flying First Class
to the UK

A few months ago my boyfriend Alistair got an offer to be a catcher for a traveling circus in Europe and invited me to come along.  I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about it, but after training and teaching aerial skills and flying trapeze for the past year, I wanted to see the more authentic side of circus, since the worlds of teaching and performing are a bit different. So I decided to trade in my comfy studio room for a caravan...

Aug 19  We started getting settled in the caravan (our home for the next few months)  I am still jet lagged but starting to get used to the swing of things. We got everything sorted to find to my surprise that there actually is more space than what first appeared, however still missing a functioning toilet, hot water and gas..so, you know, the basics..other than that caravan life doesn’t seem too bad.  The showering/sink/toilet all bein

g in the same square 2 feet could take some getting used to. At least Alistair has volunteered (more or less) to take our toilet out every morning (gotta love a guy who will carry your shit for you!)

We got to watch the show and hang out with the fly crew last night.  They are all incredibly nice and helpful.  I am now surrounded by 3 Aussies and an awesome Japanese flyer named Mizuki.  The show itself was a bit disappointing, but probably only because most of what I have seen has been fairly contemporary; acts like Cirque or Chinese acrobats etc.  This is definitely more traditional; with clowns, magic and a ring leader (no animals though).  The aerial portion could definitely be improved, but I also suppose that doing the same thing twice a day every day could get a bit mind numbing and I'm sure over time it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. 

I think this is the first time in my life I feel like a nomad, even though the longest I've lived in the same place has been a year since leaving my parents.  I am a type A person.  I am also a nester, I like having a home and a place that is mine and to have everything organized and predictable-aka everything that is not this life, which is partially why I chose to be here.  To see how uncomfortable I actually am and see if I can handle unpredictability.  So far not so bad, I think that once I get to training every day and find a routine, things will come more naturally.

Tomorrow we get to experience the breakdown and move-that should be interesting.

It's a Tent!