Saturday, December 1st, 2012:  OMG it's December already . . .  After breakfast in the clubhouse again,  fourteen of us went off in the Jamaica Beach van to visit Dickens on the Strand.  The Strand is the name of a street, and each year, for two days, Galveston puts on activities and opens up the whole area for people to dress in period costume, from the time of Charles Dickens.  About half of the people who attend do dress up, so a really cool atmosphere is successfully created.  The Strand and its parallel street, Mechanic Ave., are also part of what's considered the "historic" district of Galveston, so the architecture is pretty interesting to begin with.  There's a parade which takes place twice a day, called the Queen's Parade - it's really a hoot!  Lots of buskers performing all kinds of acts - some involving decks of cards; some with flaming hula hoops; all in period costume!

Guys with guns - there's a lot of that going on around here . . .

This guy was particularly proud of his eyes - check out the contact lenses, if you can see them!

They created a little fenced-in area filled with snow.  The kids  had fun, and the people with me asked if  I missed the white stuff  -  ha!

Your basic page girl . . .

Just a nice couple who dress up every year (there's a contest)

More locals

I was sweating - can't imagine how hot some people were!

Now this was interesting

A high school choir

Yep, this was Christmas on the Strand

Would you believe - an elephant ride?

Not sure which group this is, but they sounded great.

Cute little elementary school choir.

This lady did actually play this instrument - very cool.

Judy, if you're watching, this one and the one below are for you!

I was sitting on the (very high) curb to watch the parade.

Period bicycles!

That's what it's all about.

And the guys with guns finish it off!