Saturday, July 23  

"Hoy me Voy" -- "Tomorrow I Leave"

Everyone laughs when I say that. Pena and Lobo find it particularly amusing.

Things are getting better and better every day, there's always something, a gig, a party, a fandango, a lecture, a movie etc etc.

Its so beautiful, so beautiful..



I giddily laugh while walking the street in sheer disbelief of how good I got it.

I met Candido and his band of drummers, they're professionals trained in Africa and are doing a tour of Oaxaca with a big black African 'Lamin'. A friendly and telented crew. With them is three gorgeous Mexican/African dancers who everyone instantly falls in love with.





Candido loves life and his groove is infectious, I hang out at the Labastida and watch them play, people are amazed at their speed and talent, money pours out of pockets and into their bags, I drink another shot of Mezcal with Lobo. We head back to the house and jam.

Luck is with me everywhere I go, I hang out with the band and sit backstage, people assume i'm important, a manager maybe, they all compliment me on the band, I get free food and entry into all the venues.

At the Biznaga we are fed a three course feast after the gig, with coconut flan and cream for dessert.



El Tio is impressed, everywhere he goes I'm there, he comments on how integrated I have become, I grin deliriously and eat.



More gigs.. at the Botanical gardens, at the Jazz room, where I meet a photographer desperate for my e-mail, on the street and at the house. Music is everywhere I go, I have a blast and jam along whenever I can. Pena teaches me to play the Jarana, I pick it up but my fingers don't. I practice and practice. Eventually I can play a few songs with them and join in the all night Jarana meets.

   [ posted by Mr.P @ 09:59 ] 0 Comments

Im becoming increasingly convinced that I am not actually in Oaxaca but in a dream or a hallucination.



How else can I explain a place that is surrounded by picturesque mountains that touch the clouds, with streets full of colourful houses, vendors, markets, music.. where daily street processions, led by big bands and followed by a bevy of beautiful mexican girls clad in rich and colourful traditional dresses march through the city singing and laughing, throwing candy and sweet bread at innocent bystanders while dancing with pineapples? Where else can you find the Mezcal festival? A display of the finest alcohol ever made by man, where free shots are indiscriminately handed out to adults and children alike of this tasty beverage that gets you drunk but never TOO drunk, which is mildly hallucinogenic and leaves no trace of a Hangover but instead a yummy warm feeling that makes you want to smack your lips and do it all over again? (you dont even worry about what happenned last night!) Where else can you buy mangoes for less than 20 cents, meet travellers from all over the world, (artists, photographers, world class musicians..), attend a rembrandt exhibition, go to an african jungle class and then jam with the street bands till then sun sets EVERY day? Or go up the mountains for sacred mushrooms and down the other side to be greeted by fine caribbean beaches, always warm and inviting and full of naked frenchmen?

I met the governor of the City, he was opening the ceremonies of the Mezcal fest, I had a shot with him, then I got interviewed on television. I was pretty drunk, I dont know what I said, I hope it was good. Miguel got interviewed too, he's from Portugal and he's an artists, I liked him a lot but I havent seen him since.

   [ posted by Mr.P @ 04:14 ] 0 Comments

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