Hud - Chris Hudson

...The stage of Le Carboneria was narrow and only slightly elevated . The audience was only a guitars length away. And between the bleachers and the stage stood several long wooden tables with benches occupied by an eclectic mix of tourists, students, and die-hard flamenco types. I quickly squeezed onto a bench in the second row just as the second Act was about to begin. The guitarist began the set by
introducing each of the performers. From what I interpreted, the male singer was married to the dancer.
The dancer, tall and dark skinned, wore a traditional red and black taffeta dress. Her jet black hair was swept into a lofty hive, which exaggerated her height, and which under the spotlight shone like the coat of a jaguar.
The singer (or "cante" in spanish) remained quietly seated, his hands cupped loosely on his lap, head bowed, waiting for several measures of music before beginning his accompaniment. As the steady repeditive tempo of the "bulerias" began to pick up , he raised his hands to shoulder height, as if offering the audience his blessing. Then with his head held high he thrust the notes of an octave from his mouth. In this small room the sound rolled like a wave against the hard white adobe walls, and swamped
the audience with sound. They were both surprised and delighted, and some shouted "Ole!"
Then the dancer moved to centre stage.She grasped the hems of her skirts, and raised one of her muscular legs; a piston she used drive the heel of a shoe against the wooden stage. The hard sound cracked like a bullwhip, as it reverberated across a tiled floor; and the audience cheered and cried "Ariba!"

In Search of Flamenco.. If you enjoy this journal please recommend it to friends and if you are the editor of a travel mag...please give me an assignment !

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Joined on: January 2nd 2006
Last Login: June 21st 2008

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Blogs & Travel Journals

by Hud, order by Date newest first.

By Hud
April 20th 2007

ALGECIRAS TO RONDA BY TRAIN

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Ronda

ALGICIRAS-RONDA TRAIN
I was impressed by the punctuality, and the cleanliness of the carriages. Clear windows, and spotless floors, and no signs of discarded coffee cups or papers.

[url='/Videos/2803.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2803.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;'] RONDA TRAIN I awoke at 7:am took a quick shower,packed my backpack and quietly stole down the stairs of the Canon Hotel in Gibraltar. In the half light I walked down Main street and then turned north to the marine road where I waited along with the morning commuters for the bus. They run every 15 minutes, and I was soon on board heading for the La Linea Border of Spain. At the border, and armed with my British passport I crossed into Spain and hiked over to the La Linea bus station, only 15 minutes away. I [View Full Entry]

By Hud
April 20th 2007

RONDA FLAMENCO CLUB

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Ronda

[url='/Videos/2814.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2814.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;'] CANTE CONTEST[url='/Videos/2815.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2815.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;'] CANTE SINGING CONTEST III should reiterate that my reason for visiting Spain, and particularly Andulucia, was to discover the hidden corners of the flamenco culture; to enjoy the authentic flamenco experience and sit shoulder to shoulder with Spaniards who would share my passion for the music and the dancing. I was fortunate to come across a small poster outside the Ronda tourist information office advertising a flamenco "cante" (singing) contest. I asked for directions to the event and at 10:pm walked from my hotel up several narrow streets to a stone building with a [View Full Entry]

By Hud
May 3rd 2005

SEVILLE TO GIBRALTAR BY BUS

Europe » Gibraltar

JABAL-AL-TARIK
"Mount of Tarik" The original arabic name for Gibraltar. Named after the Moorish leader "Tarik". Viewed here from the approach to Algeciras.

When I got up early on May 3rd, I Left my backpacks in the storage room at the reception desk of Hotel Simon, so that I could walk up to the Barrio of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood for a quick iberian breakfast of cafe con leche and a bocatella" (coffee with milk and a roll). Time always seemed elusive, and although there was so much more to do in Seville, the remaining 7 days I had left didn't permit any delays. THE BARBARY APES Today, my next fleeting visit, would be to the colony of Gibraltar; or should I say the [View Full Entry]

By Hud
May 2nd 2005

SEVILLE - CITY OF GARDENS

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Seville

HOLA! WELCOME TO SEVILLE!
My hosts at the Bistro cafe near the pedestrian street of Villagos. The lady on the right spoke fluent Spanish although she's from San francisco! I ordered Salmon raciones, with salad. Delicious.

DAY 2 MONDAY 2ND MAY 2005 Today is a public holiday. (Labour Day). I leave Acacias Hotel at 8:30 am in time to catch the 9:am bus to the Malaga bus terminal, heading for SEVILLE. The #11 bus arrives on time, but the door is stuck. Driver spends five minutes fighting with the door lever. Finally he waves me to the back door. Only 3 other passengers. The streets are wet and steaming after an early rainfall. The air is humid and tropical. The sweet smell of oranges hangs heavily in the air. At Alameda Principal I disembark and try [View Full Entry]

By Hud
May 1st 2005

POSTCARD FROM MALAGA

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Málaga

Courtyard - Hotel Acacias
The scent of the oranges permeated the air on this warm iberian evening.

DAY 1 Sunday 1st May 2005 My Travel Web Page Now this was the first time I had booked a flight anywhere on the internet. It seemed so easy back in Vancouver to buy a ticket from Gatwick to Malaga on EasyJet.com. 46 UK pounds return. I booked In January for a May 1st flight. However, about a week after the booking was confirmed I cancelled my return date and chose another. An almost fatal mistake as I found out on my arrival at the EasyJet booking counter. Amidst a nosy throng of holidaymakers most of whom were lining up [View Full Entry]

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