Mexico, Te amo....

9 days in Mexico is not enough. Not even close. I realized that as soon as i got there, but thought "F*#! it, lets see how much I can do. Sleep is overrated, right...?

D.F. I freakin' love D.F. I always make a stop there when I'm in Mexico, but never stay more than a few days- maybe thats why I still love it so much. The metro is so easy to use and cheeeeap as hell, and you can buy ANYTHING you want while riding it. Seriously. I almost bought a pack of band-aids and a light up pen... But, I talked myself out of it. The men's socks that say 'beisbol' on the side that i saw outside of the metro station, on the other hand... still happy I bought those. 

I stayed with my friend Mariana this time around. She took such good care of me- airport pick up, cafe y chisme, antojitos, y luego salsa en vivo en Colonia Roma. She knows me too well. I'm pretty sure I salsa dance better in Mexico than I do anywhere. Yes... Im taller than most of the dudes, but for some reason, its just what I DO there. 

I left for Xalapa the next day. A 4.5 hour bus ride in the middle of the day and an evening cab ride got me to la cabana de mi mejor amiga. The rest of the week was a blur of moto rides, chelas, Zapateado, bad mediocre spanish, and lots of hugs. As soon as I got there... I realized that the 6 days I'd set aside for Xalapa were not going to be enough. But, I went with it anyway. This time in Xalapa was different. My last week there was my first visit back since living there. I packed it with a giant list of things to do and places to go. This time... I didn't. I just wanted to be, see my friends, and dance my life away. My first day was exciting- I was soooo happy to see my Paty. But after that... it was back to normal. Just like home. Which isn't bad. I went to dance class, met up with friends for lunch, and just kinda made my way through the city. Its just funny to think that this place that is so different from my home and, at one point, was super foreign to me has now become my second home. Its comforting in a way, knowing that no matter what, I will always be able to go back as if no time has passed. 

My last day, Paty drove me to el centro in her moto to have breakfast and to buy some things for my abuelito. We rushed through everything, then went back to her place so that I could get my stuff together. We ran out so that I could grab a cab and this crazy bittersweetness fell over me, as always when I'm leaving Xalapa. It crazy. I know I could never live there again- I was reminded of how frustrating the super slow pace and crazy amount of flakiness that is part of everyone's daily life can be. But, when I'm there, I don't want to leave. Like I've said before, Xalapa will always have a huge place in my heart. 

After, I ran off to Toluca to see my friend Cesar. I had less than 12 hours (Sooo typical of me). He picked me up and we went straight to the beloved bar of Garanona. This is an amaaazing drink, made only at a bar in Metepec (like el Centro of Toluca). It has a bunch of herbs, is a radioactive-greenish color, and always makes for a good time. After chatting with some of his friends, we found out that we have some mutual friends (craaazy) from SF. Then, off to the Cumbia party. It was pizza eating, dance party, fun, with a special guest DJ from San Antonio (Who yelled "Bay Area in the House" right after we met. WTF?). After a late night Queso Fundido, and 3 hrs of sleep, Cesar's parents made me breakfast and drive me to the bus station (I loooove Mexican hospitality. I just hope to return it when I can). 

Long Story short... I had issues with my immigration papers and couldn't leave Mexico. My Marianna took care of me one more day, which gave me another morning to hang out in D.F. I found my new favorite diner in the world (Seriously, straight old school steez, with full on waitress uniforms and framed black and white photos of Pedro Infante in the walls. Swooooon.) and the bestest molletes known to man. Yeah, the extra night meade me miss my gig with Las Bomberas de la Bahia in San Jo, but... ya know. 

First week back, I was back in rehearsals right away. I guess its a good thing... I didn't give myself the chance to miss Mi querido Veracruz like I usually do. I was able to take mi Abuelito to a Fandango in Santa Cara that almost made me cry with happiness. My Grandpa was born in Orizaba, Veracruz, but moved to California in the late 40's. In the 90's, he married a woman from Orizaba, and began spending most of his time there. Now that he is in his 90's, the long trip to Orizaba is no longer something that he can do. So, other than bringing him a bottle of Torito, taking him to a fandango was one of the only ways I could bring his country to him. Luckily, a family from Veracruz opens their house to the Son Jarocho community each month for a Fandango. I found out that mi Abuelo played Marimbol for years in Orizaba (a percussion instrument used in Son Jarocho, with roots from Afro-Caribbean culture). After dancing the night away, he said "Bailaste bien, Mija," which meant more to me than any comment a Son Jarocho teacher could ever give me!  Amaaaazing. 

On a side note, Las Bomberas de la Bahia played a show with our Buyepongo buys from LA. These guys are super fucking rad and are sounding really good these days. Seriously, check them out. Its always magic when we play a show together. Hopefully waaaay more to come. 

Now.... I'm suuuper sick and have no voice. Apparently not sleeping is NOT good for you. Atleast my Bhangra/Bollywood gig today does not involve singing. Maybe one day I'll learn to slow down. Maybe. 

My son of the moment. The video is super weird... Sorry. 

  

Once again...

I'm sitting here, at midnight, last minute packing. Its been 7 months since my last trip to Mexico... way overdue and I can't fucking wait to be there! My flight leaves at 7am... Super Shuttle is picking me up at 4:45am. I just started packing. One day, I'll get the hang of that whole "getting ready early" thing.

Adventures in D.F. Followed by a week of Dance party, Zapateado, Antojito, BFF looooove in Veracruz! Ya quiero irme!! I love that months, even years later, I have amaaaazing connections all over Mexico.

On a side note, I've had a few crazy busy weeks preparing for and dancing in Cuba Caribe with Arenas Dance company. Dancing for Oshun, alongside Yemanja and an all female Bata line up- Heck yea! I'm not sure the entire audience understood how amazing and powerful that actually was... but we did!

The line up was awesome. The Peruvians from de Rompe and Raja were amazing and turned me into an insta-groupie. More Photos to come!

And now I pack. Ya know that feeling you get when you have no idea what you'll be doing at this time tomorrow? I looooove it!

Also... been listening to this non-stop. The Buyepongo boys always bring it.

Febrero y el amor

Late post on the day of love that soooo many people over-do, freak out about, or try their absolute hardest to "not care" about. I've never been big on Valentine's Day. Boyfriend, no boyfriend, ladies night... whatever, its just never been a big deal to me. Similar to my feelings about New Years (amateur night), I feel like its just another day with way too much unnecessary pressure, with that same "Who am I gonna kiss tonight?!" freak out that too many people have. February has been a busy month for me, so V-Day just creeped up on me like any other day. It wasn't until a co-worker walked up to me, teary-eyed, that I remembered that it was that day. That "hold your special someone" day. Booooo.

I have to admit, getting chocolate and adorable little cards from my 3 year old students definitely made me smile. And, it was the kind of thing I wouldn't get from them on any other day. but the reality was... I had an awesome day, because it was just that- another awesome day, continuing to do things I LOVE with people I LOVE, while still appreciating everyone around me. Call me lame and cliche, but f*#! this crazy pressure to have a fancy date, with fancy roses, and the perfect significant other. If that's not the case every other day of the year, why make yourself feel so pressured to have that this one played out night of the year? February 14th included lots of 3 year old hugs, greasy Thai Food, and a bad-ass performance at the Salsa Rueda Festival. No fancy flowers, or diamond rings, or giant balloons, and I LOVED IT!! 

That being said, small gestures and acknowledgements go a long way. Everyday of the year. Lets love who we love all the time.  

Back with my amazing Afro-Cuban teacher, Susana Arenas, I danced for Ochun at the Salsa Rueda Festival! Such a beautiful (and FUN) performance, with some amazing dancers!

February has been good to me. 

It crazy how much stuff can be packed into such a short span of time. And soooo much more to come. Returning to the stage with my Afro-Brazilian group Aguas da Bahia after a 3 year break! Then to figure out how to pass the CSET and get my ass back to Veracruz by May. I need me some humidity, antojitos, and Zapateado back in mi vida!!

On that note, my friends from mi querido Veracruz killed it in SF this weekend. Listen to this nonstop. I know I am. 

XO- V

Adventures in Portlandia

Random, last minute trips are the best. Especially when they involve awesome friends. 

This is Natalie, circa Semana Santa, 2010. Through a random connection, I showed up at her (then) apartment in Guadalajara, stayed in an extra room downstairs, then went on an epic last minute road trip to Puerta Vallarta during Spring Break. Probably one of my favorite weeks ever. It was the only time I'd hung with this awesome gal....

Until January 2013. I decided to take a last minute trip to see this awesome friend for the 2nd time ever. And to explore her home- Portland! Its crazy how you can continue to enjoy someone so much after years of not seeing them, and even then, it was just that one time. Haha. 

Anyway, aside from Natalie's awesome-ness (more on that later), Portland is pretty rad on its own! Despite the freeeeeezing days (a girl from Cali can't hang that long), I love-love-loved this town! Kinda residential/big city at the same time. Hipster meets farmer. And lots of plaid and beer. I was happy. 

First evening in, we went to Voodoo Donuts when there was no line (!!!!) and I figured out why long-sleeved layers are so important. 

Then, walked across the bridge (Brunswick, I believe) straight to my first Portland house party where Robyn is a dance party must and they actually do jello-stands (WTH?!).

The next few days were a blur of farmer's markets, beer, FOOOOOOOD, and Girls from HBO. Oh, and Oregon has no Sales Tax! On anything. I should've bought more things.

We searched for the best biscuits and were actually given blankets to use at the restaurants because its soooo cold. But seriously. Best. Biscuits. Ever. And, Im pretty serious about my biscuits. 

Super cool town, super awesome people, lots of vintage-y goods and even more food. I seriously don't think I could've eaten more, but (not so secretly at all) wish I could have. Its like a bubble of cute things, beards, strip clubs, and delicious-ness that I would for sure re-visit. 

So, finally, yeeeeears after our first advenure, we re-united with less beach time, more scarf time. But, still had a rad weekend filled with Gaycation, first-time strip clubber, beer drinking, baby bunnies (literally, lots of them) fun! Can't wait to add to our epic adventure/awesome friend list!! 

XOXO- V

PS- Dance filled February. Can't waaaaaaaait!!