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Published: January 31st 2009
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Our first week here in town came and went like a good tequila. Aside from shopping here and there for various apartment items, we ended up walking to a lot of events we would have otherwise shrugged off.
First off, I joined up doing belly dancing again. I did Tribal belly dancing for a short time in college. I saw that there was a dance studio only one block from our place. When I checked out the schedule, I was surprised to see that Tribal belly dancing was taught there twice a week. When I emailed the instructor, she was thrilled to find out that I some experience or even heard of Tribal style. (Tribal belly dancing involves a group of women that follow a leader in an improv. style, where each woman takes turns being the leader. It is also more about ritual and honoring the earth goddess. It is very very beautiful.) So I started attending these classes and it is only myself and one other woman, so we get a lot of attention from the maestra. My teacher told me that on Saturday night, there was going to be a free show of women from around Mexico
Belly Dancing Babes
My teacher is sitting with the the two roses in her hair that were studying to become teachers. Ronnie and I attended the show. We sat on rugs and were enchanted by great women, dancing to a live drummer with finger cymbals and bells. The full skirts and bare bellies were magical. I couldn't help but smile during the whole thing. I wonder if I will ever get good enough to perform myself.
I never thought I would see a Beatles show while here in little San Miguel, but sure enough...I did. Posters went up a little while ago and I told Ronnie that we HAD to go. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Before the show, we went for a great Italian dinner at Cafe Vivoli and then for some more drinks at the Irish pub called The Limerick. Giggling with rosy cheeks from some wine, we entered the Angela Peralta theater. I am a bit ashamed to say this was our first time in the place as many great shows are performed here almost nightly. The first thing I saw was a huge merchandise table of Beatles stuff, as if they were really performing. Such a treasure trough of illegal merchandise was not something I could pass up
easily. We climbed the stairs to our seats. Turns out that the "seats" are just wooden blocks that are covered in red carpet. There are no "seats." It was just sit where you want on this wooden thing. It was like being in 5th grade again at a school assembly. The curtains suddenly arose (20 minutes late...it's Mexican time) to four well dressed Mexican men. They were not trying to become the Beatles which was refreshing. They spoke Spanish very quickly and then jumped into "She Loves Me." They were GREAT! Ronnie and I laughed for the first couple of songs, not only because they were so good...but because the whole experience just seemed surreal. At intermission, I HAD to go and get something from the merch table. I got a sticker and a "Working Class Hero," t-shirt. The band played for another hour and instead of leaving the stage like they do in the states before the encore...(come on guys...we know you are coming back..how long do we have to clap for you?) the band would just keep saying "Un regalito" (a gift) and "Una Mas." These one mores ended up as another half hour of music. By the
end were were exhausted from dancing and cheering with the other Mexicans in our seating area. The other gringos were down on the floor level in actual movie seats just watching. It was worth sitting on wooden blocks to party it up with the locals.
We also attended something that I have never experienced before...a Chili Cook-Off. It was a perfectly sunny day and Ronnie and I were both looking forward to the event. Ronnie's dad used to participate (and often win) chili cook-offs when he was a kid so he knew what to expect. I on the other hand, just knew there would be chili, Texans and most likely beer and country music...and boy was I right! We also brought Byron along because dogs were allowed to the outdoor event. As we were standing in line to buy our tickets, we saw our friends Macky and Aissa. We were all handed tiny bowls and plastic spoons. There were 30 different people's chili to try...oh boy. Ronnie and I decided it was best to each do 15 and share. It was so much fun. The sun was warm, my lips burned from the chili, and seeing people we know,
sharing in a good laugh together, made for an amazing day. Byron was very popular. Everyone wanted to stop to give him attention...but his favorite part of the day was the horse show. We sat in a bull ring at the grounds and watched horsemen (and women) from nearby towns perform tricks. Byron has never seen a horse before and he was hypnotized by them. That afternoon, a bit buzzy from too much corona, we were able to walk home and take a peaceful siesta into the evening.
I also spent a day back up at our first casita with Eleanor. We spent the day chatting, laughing and drinking chilled pinot griggio. Her place is so wonderful. It feels like a home from our past. Well, I guess it was for half a year.
Tuesday, we went for a life drawing session. Two hours with a model, a view of the Jardin, wine and snacks for $100 pesos. It can't be beat. The guy who runs it is named Jason. He is our age and from Ohio. After this past session, the three of us went out to dinner. Jason is super fun and unpredictable, in a good
I am having fun!
I love Chili Cook-offs now! way. I am sure we will be hanging out with him again.
We also saw a parade for Ignacio Allende's birthday, which was purely schools marching and military. It is always strange for me to see tanks and huge guns and canons go by. But it was an neat parade, as they all are.
In other news, Ronnie sold his first painting!! Yay! It was the one of the Catrinas (skeletons) walking around San Miguel.
So as you can see, we have been very busy about town. Walking all over has been wonderful and it feels like we are starting a whole new Mexican adventure!
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The Beatles, chile and belly-dancing..life id good :)