Seventeen years ago, in the seventh month, I was nursing a slight cough, a surgery wound on my abdomen, and a newborn baby girl. Thus, I went down the rabbit hole of motherhood from which I shall never emerge. Long days of feeding, burping, diaper-changing, sleepless nights to eating solid food, first steps, toilet-training culminated in the schooling years. In a flash, she’s a teenager and almost 20. WHAT?!😲
arts rabbit hole
She grew up drawing… on paper, on walls, on her feet. Until now, she still sketches, draws (not on the walls and feet, though), paints, and she found friends who share the same interest. For her seventeenth celebration, she spent the day before her actual birthdate with them at the Patrons of the Arts: Originals event. That day was rather sunny, so different from the rainy one the night before. The whole afternoon, they went down the rabbit hole of creativity in the forms of stickers, art prints, trading cards, and other merchandises. All the while, I was reading my current book in a nearby Starbucks. 😉
music rabbit hole
As their chaperone for the day, I accompanied them to the next venue via a GrabCar. We arrived at a small street in Manila. It was drizzling when we got out of the vehicle. On the left sidewalk of the road, a line of people were outside a wooden structure; we decided this must be it: Rabbit Hole. Through the barred windows, I saw that the place was diminutive. Thus, I knew what was going to happen later. A dimly lit café and a record store. A hole in the wall… kind of.
We waited outside below a small awning while the event organizers brought out chairs and tables where they sold their merch. Stickers, keychains, T-shirts, etc. After they checked our names from a list and gave us event wristbands, we were allowed inside. Mostly standing room only! Other people already claimed the small couch, two or three barstools, a low table with cushions and two café chairs. I wondered how we were going to eat. Well, it’s a music event where bands played live, so I guess it’s understandable. Plus, a band member told us to mosh responsibly.
claustrophobia rabbit hole
After tuning and preparing the instruments, then introductions to the band and audience interactions, it finally started. The walls vibrated with the bass, the bodies in the crowded room undulated with the music. Then the rock screaming started and the room seemed smaller and tighter. I skedaddled out of there and into the humid night. As I feared, my breaths shortened and I felt trapped. My claustrophobia-induced panic attacked.
My sweet daughter and her friends bought me food and asked if I was going to go in and eat. I dreaded going back in, so they had the meal to go. But, would you believe it? Rabbit Hole did not provide, nor do they have any disposable utensils. I had to improvise with my plastic drink cover.
yaelokre rabbit hole
And now, the artist whom the girls wanted to see, played their set. The place seemed livelier at the time, everyone looked quite excited. I watched from outside and I saw the audience dancing and squealing, like they’re watching a famous celebrity perform. Check them out. They even interacted and signed autographs for her fans before the event began. At the merchandise section were their drawings on acrylic keychains and art prints.
It was a unique experience for me. There were uniquely dressed individuals in the audience as well. How about you? Have you recently went “down the rabbit hole”, literally or figuratively? 😁
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