HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BESTEST MOM EVER!!
On this lovely Sunday, I dedicate this song to you...
Love you Mama!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Hasta Luego, Guanatos....!
So, my time in Guadalajara has ended (for now). It was a good 4 months, I must say. the last few weeks in the city were fun fun fun, and made leaving a little bit harder.
From Halloween. Best Damn costume idea EVER!!
To Beautiful Sayulita....
funny story about this. I went, alone, on a bus and asked some locals where I could find a cheap room. Ended up staying in a Posada along a dirt road with a beautiful view! Anyway, I hit the beach right away with my CLASSY tequila in a can beverage from the OXXO. After meeting some locals (with the one and only rock n roll spot in this tiny beach town), I beached some more. Now, this so happened to be the night of the 5th games of the world series. So, I tracked down the one American Sports bar in town, made friends with a bar full of middle aged men who, at some point in their lives, all lived in SF but currently lived in Sayulita. Also, a couple that lives in the Mission, who I am positive I have seen at Dolores Park before. anyway, with lots of yelling at the TV, beer, and cheesy bread, WE WON!!!!! Wooooohooooo, Gigantes! It was awesome... I just still can't fucking believe that this happened the one and only year I am out of SF!!! Oh well... I continued my celebration by heading to a Salsa club con musico en vivo. As soon as I walked in... I get grabbed by the should by my friend Ilse!! We had met at Festival Raices back in August, and I had completely forgotten which beach town she lived in. So... We hugged, drank, and danced once again. She introduced me to her friends, showed me her amazing apartment, and gave me tips on her adorable city. Anyway, the following had more beach time and a bus ride home.
My first Night time bike ride through the streets of GDL!!
GDL is a huge biking city, and they have their version of SF's Critical Mass every week! I didn't partake in much because I never bought a bike, but it was definitely something I loved about the city. Anyway, this one was themed V for Vendetta, hence the masks. It was awesome, made me miss my monthly critical Mass with my jen!
To the last of my Fandangos at Mario's cultural house...
My last dance class with my Danza Africana Crew!!
My move to Guanatos didn't teach me so much about the culture and life of Mexico that I originally went to find. But, it taught of a shitload about myself. En serio... Tough homesick times, and lots of "what the fuck am I doing here" moments... but, overall, I think it went well.
It ended with a bbq in the park, my last saturday at PULP bar, and a yummy farewell dinner with my favorites.
I miss you guys already!!
Between Rock Band, Kulsch, and countless Indie rock cover bands throughout the city, this song will always make me think of Guadalajara!!
Gracias por los todos. Nos Vemos, Guadalajara!
From Halloween. Best Damn costume idea EVER!!
To Beautiful Sayulita....
funny story about this. I went, alone, on a bus and asked some locals where I could find a cheap room. Ended up staying in a Posada along a dirt road with a beautiful view! Anyway, I hit the beach right away with my CLASSY tequila in a can beverage from the OXXO. After meeting some locals (with the one and only rock n roll spot in this tiny beach town), I beached some more. Now, this so happened to be the night of the 5th games of the world series. So, I tracked down the one American Sports bar in town, made friends with a bar full of middle aged men who, at some point in their lives, all lived in SF but currently lived in Sayulita. Also, a couple that lives in the Mission, who I am positive I have seen at Dolores Park before. anyway, with lots of yelling at the TV, beer, and cheesy bread, WE WON!!!!! Wooooohooooo, Gigantes! It was awesome... I just still can't fucking believe that this happened the one and only year I am out of SF!!! Oh well... I continued my celebration by heading to a Salsa club con musico en vivo. As soon as I walked in... I get grabbed by the should by my friend Ilse!! We had met at Festival Raices back in August, and I had completely forgotten which beach town she lived in. So... We hugged, drank, and danced once again. She introduced me to her friends, showed me her amazing apartment, and gave me tips on her adorable city. Anyway, the following had more beach time and a bus ride home.
My first Night time bike ride through the streets of GDL!!
GDL is a huge biking city, and they have their version of SF's Critical Mass every week! I didn't partake in much because I never bought a bike, but it was definitely something I loved about the city. Anyway, this one was themed V for Vendetta, hence the masks. It was awesome, made me miss my monthly critical Mass with my jen!
To the last of my Fandangos at Mario's cultural house...
My last dance class with my Danza Africana Crew!!
My move to Guanatos didn't teach me so much about the culture and life of Mexico that I originally went to find. But, it taught of a shitload about myself. En serio... Tough homesick times, and lots of "what the fuck am I doing here" moments... but, overall, I think it went well.
It ended with a bbq in the park, my last saturday at PULP bar, and a yummy farewell dinner with my favorites.
I miss you guys already!!
Between Rock Band, Kulsch, and countless Indie rock cover bands throughout the city, this song will always make me think of Guadalajara!!
Gracias por los todos. Nos Vemos, Guadalajara!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
45 anos de Fiestas Octubre!!
The past couple of weeks have been great, I must say. Between free concerts, beach time, new running shows (woooot!), good times for sure.
I don't know if I mentioned it, but here in Guadalajara, there is a months long "Festival" called 'Fiestas Octubre.' Its the end of the rainy season, and los Tapatios like to get out and enjoy the sun (that, yes we still have at this time). A tradition that's been going on for about 45 years I believe, the city holds a free concert of various types of dance and music on a stage downtown EVERY NIGHT. yes, how awesome is that?! And, a lot of it is some really rad stuff- Music from India, Tango, various traditional types of music and dance from all over Mexico. Well... the other week I went to un noche de folclor internacional. Yes, it included la Compania de dance folclor de Venezuela y un grupo folclorico de aqui (GDL). It was a sweeeeet show. The Venezuelan group was super diverse... going from zapateado to some serious Afro shit (and you KNOW how I feel about serious afro-shit!). I was really impressed. Not to mention, there were some dances/costumes/etc that really made me think of different Afro-Haitian Rhythms. Seriously.
Like this one.... Swa Kongo like wooooooooah! The skirts, hair wraps, scarves. Either way, it was sooo rad!
And this song (not to mention the AWESOME drumming) kinda made me think... Bomba?
It just goes to show the crazy connection between Latin American countries and African roots. They all tie into each other one way or another. I just love ALL of it!!
El Grupo Folclorico de Guadalajara started out a section of sones de Veracruz, Including La Bruja! So pretty (my friend Benjamin and I were counting each sign for me to move to Veracruz that night. So many).
It was nice to see Mariachis, too. Its strange. Jalisco is the birth place of many things that are considered "traditional" in Mexican Heritage, such as Mariachi Music, Tequila, Banda. But, I have seen any freakin' Mariachi music! En Serio.... Maybe its cuz it has become such a modern city. But, Really? none? So, I was pleased when this tight pants wearin', big hat ownnin', oversized string instrument playin' group came out. Woooohoooo!! Oh.... big hats NOT featured. Whooops.
Fuuuuun. I am a little bummed that I didn't get as much exposure to learning Ballet Folclorico while here in GDL. Buuuuuut, i guess it just wasn't meant to be. But, I must say... Free freakin' concerts every night for a month?! F-yeah, Guanatos!
On a different note... I finally figured out the PERFECT IPod volume to drown out the CLASSY mexican hoots, hollas, and 'aye, mamis' while I'm running. Wooooot!!
XOXO- V
I don't know if I mentioned it, but here in Guadalajara, there is a months long "Festival" called 'Fiestas Octubre.' Its the end of the rainy season, and los Tapatios like to get out and enjoy the sun (that, yes we still have at this time). A tradition that's been going on for about 45 years I believe, the city holds a free concert of various types of dance and music on a stage downtown EVERY NIGHT. yes, how awesome is that?! And, a lot of it is some really rad stuff- Music from India, Tango, various traditional types of music and dance from all over Mexico. Well... the other week I went to un noche de folclor internacional. Yes, it included la Compania de dance folclor de Venezuela y un grupo folclorico de aqui (GDL). It was a sweeeeet show. The Venezuelan group was super diverse... going from zapateado to some serious Afro shit (and you KNOW how I feel about serious afro-shit!). I was really impressed. Not to mention, there were some dances/costumes/etc that really made me think of different Afro-Haitian Rhythms. Seriously.
Like this one.... Swa Kongo like wooooooooah! The skirts, hair wraps, scarves. Either way, it was sooo rad!
And this song (not to mention the AWESOME drumming) kinda made me think... Bomba?
It just goes to show the crazy connection between Latin American countries and African roots. They all tie into each other one way or another. I just love ALL of it!!
El Grupo Folclorico de Guadalajara started out a section of sones de Veracruz, Including La Bruja! So pretty (my friend Benjamin and I were counting each sign for me to move to Veracruz that night. So many).
It was nice to see Mariachis, too. Its strange. Jalisco is the birth place of many things that are considered "traditional" in Mexican Heritage, such as Mariachi Music, Tequila, Banda. But, I have seen any freakin' Mariachi music! En Serio.... Maybe its cuz it has become such a modern city. But, Really? none? So, I was pleased when this tight pants wearin', big hat ownnin', oversized string instrument playin' group came out. Woooohoooo!! Oh.... big hats NOT featured. Whooops.
Fuuuuun. I am a little bummed that I didn't get as much exposure to learning Ballet Folclorico while here in GDL. Buuuuuut, i guess it just wasn't meant to be. But, I must say... Free freakin' concerts every night for a month?! F-yeah, Guanatos!
On a different note... I finally figured out the PERFECT IPod volume to drown out the CLASSY mexican hoots, hollas, and 'aye, mamis' while I'm running. Wooooot!!
XOXO- V
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