Friday, January 06, 2006
Bienvenidos a 2006
I sat eating a delicious meal, listening to the spirited band of four sing, drum and play the guitars. They were comprised of Uruguans and Columbians and I was shocked to learn that they had only been together for a month, but not the least bit surprised that they had already traveled Peru, Ecuador, and Columbia, and were planning on heading to Uruguay after recording a C.D. "Esto termina nuestro promocion. Quieres que toquemos este sabado?" one asked the owner.
"Oh, Si, Si," responded the smiling, clapping owner with long flowing white hair, having no idea that they were just giving her a sample and that she had just booked a show for Saturday night. She only knew that the rythmic beats and strong voices had stopped and she wanted them to continue. I sat back and sighed. The owner looked at me and said, "Oh, its so good to have you HOME." I couldn't have agreed more.
It was hard to believe that only days ago we had danced in the streets of Quito, among Gringos and drunk Ecuadorians, as they laughed and clapped at our crazy dancing style. We watched as they burned large dolls with masks of President Bush, among many others. At the stroke of midnight, which was not announced just known, we all cheered and celebrated.
It was hard to believe that only days ago we had eaten Indian food after having been deprived for too long.
It was hard to believe that it was only a few days ago that I sat in a chair telling the flamboyant man behind me "un poco, muy poco." Only to have him grab a chunk of my hair, twist it around and around, as he snipped away, assuring me that this look was much better for me. I had put myself of the butcher block, at the mercy of the barber's hand. I handed over the $6 and told him, "solo es pelo" when he asked how I liked it.
It was hard to believe that only that morning at the airport we had gone through check-in, security and bording without once showing any form of identification.
As I leaned back on the bench at Madre Tierra, I was happy. Happy to be in 2006, in a beautiful place, with many adventures to look foward too. Thankful to be in 2006, in good health, with a replaced passports, a wonderful family and friends (as far as they may be).
Happy New Year.
"Oh, Si, Si," responded the smiling, clapping owner with long flowing white hair, having no idea that they were just giving her a sample and that she had just booked a show for Saturday night. She only knew that the rythmic beats and strong voices had stopped and she wanted them to continue. I sat back and sighed. The owner looked at me and said, "Oh, its so good to have you HOME." I couldn't have agreed more.
It was hard to believe that only days ago we had danced in the streets of Quito, among Gringos and drunk Ecuadorians, as they laughed and clapped at our crazy dancing style. We watched as they burned large dolls with masks of President Bush, among many others. At the stroke of midnight, which was not announced just known, we all cheered and celebrated.
It was hard to believe that only days ago we had eaten Indian food after having been deprived for too long.
It was hard to believe that it was only a few days ago that I sat in a chair telling the flamboyant man behind me "un poco, muy poco." Only to have him grab a chunk of my hair, twist it around and around, as he snipped away, assuring me that this look was much better for me. I had put myself of the butcher block, at the mercy of the barber's hand. I handed over the $6 and told him, "solo es pelo" when he asked how I liked it.
It was hard to believe that only that morning at the airport we had gone through check-in, security and bording without once showing any form of identification.
As I leaned back on the bench at Madre Tierra, I was happy. Happy to be in 2006, in a beautiful place, with many adventures to look foward too. Thankful to be in 2006, in good health, with a replaced passports, a wonderful family and friends (as far as they may be).
Happy New Year.
// posted by Becca @ 8:44 AM 
