I went to the Renaissance fair and got a lesson in belonging

Maybe the least serious places are some of the most important.

Crowds gather over ale during Halina’s recent trip to the Maryland Renaissance Festival. (Photo by the author)

By 10, the field was full of people in preparation. A woman braced one hand against the side of her Honda and tugged with the other at the laces of her bodice, one rib at a time, until woman and garment both sighed into place. Nearby, a man shoo…