Ya estoy en Xalapa...

So, I've been here a few weeks. Actually... now that I think about it, almost a month. Wow. it's been... interesting. I'm kinda stuck in the middle right now. Transition, meeting people, STILL looking for a place to live. But... I have been enjoying myself for the most part!

My first weekend in town, I met up with Jacinta, a gal from the bay. Jazz Music and Salsa dancing, a night to (sorta after a bottle) remember! We went to a Salsa club with a live band and a group of young boys that dance with various ladies throughout the night. Jacinta was with her boyfriend, and I was just there... so, after a few drinks and dancing with some strangers, I made my way through most of the 18 yr old dancer boys. Ha. Pero, en serio... good band. Go there... just make sure you got your "young boy" game face on.



The dance classes have been AWESOME!! I am currently staying with an amaaaaaaaaaaaazing gal named Aranza, and her downstairs neighbors are a dancer/musician couple. The gal teaches Danza Africana classes Lunes-Jueves with live music from her hubby. AWESOME classes, awesome music.... definitely a good find! Also... I got in touch with Susana Arenas... an Afro-Cubana who lived in SF for years. I never danced with her, but have lots of friends in the Bay who have. and sheeeeeeeeet, her afro-cuban classes are exactly what I've been missing!! Soooooooo good! Dancing with her group may be a possibility... we'll see. Been trying to get to Son Jarocho classes a few times a week. My friend Annahi has a space where she teaches (bomb ass teacher... really). And, Capoiera Angola. Its weird... in GDL I was looking for whatever dance classes I could... and here there are so many its freaking overwhelming. I LOOOOOVE it.

Other than that... some time in Puebla- Reeeeeally pretty. And, its gets really cold here at night. I seriously lucked out in finding my friend Aranza... most accommodating person ever!

Una Calle De Puebla


Una Iglesia en Cholula


La Iglesia de Xalapa!

Also....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BESTEST MOM EVER!!





On this lovely Sunday, I dedicate this song to you...



Love you Mama!

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!

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

Year 26

I have been 26 for exactly one week now. It's a trip... I still can't say it. Mid-20's, woah. But, thinking back over the past year, I'm pretty okay with this. I made a "25th year to do list", and I am pretty damn pleased with myself. 4 out of 5 ain't bad (Making my bed everyday, OFCOURSE that wasn't going to happen!). I actually did celebrate my 26th birthday while living in another country. Woohoo!

On that note, my celebration made me realize how great my Guadalajara peeps really are. Laughing, singing, beer drinking, chocolate cake eating, salsa dancing fun... what more could I have asked for?

A few of my friends singing to me.



Later this night... we (plus some more) went to my FAVORITE place in Guadalajara- LA MUTUALISTA! Now, I'd been told of this place when I first got here, and went for the first time while my good friend Miguel was visiting. Live Salsa band, giant ballroom, plastic chairs, tacky photos on the walls, and a "here to have a good time" attitude- I was hooooooked! I've gone back almost every week/every other week since, and I still can't get enough of it! I'm telling you, if your ever in GDL and want to actually dance, have fun, and not have to give a shit about what about people are thinking, Go to La Mutualista! If you're ever in GDL and want to hear some good live music, Go to La Mutualista! If you're ever in GDL, period, I don't care who or what you are... go to La Mutualista! This place (among other things) makes me not want to leave this city. I feel like it is one of the rare places you can go and just have a good time sin sentencia. It is filled with all level dancers, foreigners, locals, older people, younger people.

(real video from La mutua, by the way).

There are also classes every monday and wednesday at La mutualista, but I am still yet to go to one.

With my birthday weekend ending at La Mutua, I was as happy as can be. And now, in my 26th year... I must say, I'm pretty excited. I'm here, for who knows how long. I just know that it will be an awesome one. Because... well, its what I do! Ja.

26th Year to do list
-Teach a dance class in Mexico
-Perform in Mexico
-Go to Central and/or South America
-Run in a race
-Make Tamales
-Learn to speak spanish in the past tense

And now to work on this years list... It'll happen. All of it!

Here's to beginning my second quarter century in Mexico! Woooot!

Danza Africana!

Hace mucho tiempo desde mi ultimo mensaje....

Lots has happened out here in Guadalajara. But first... how is it already October?! Wow, I'm coming up on 3 months out here, but I swear I just got here.

Anyway, one of the highlights of the past few weeks was the taller de Danza Africana con Mariama! Now, as I've mentioned before, there is a huge Danza Africana scene here in Mexico. En serio.... HUGE. And, they are really into special workshops. Since I have been in Guadalajara, there have been 3 different Danza Africana workshops from 3 different native (of Africa) dancers.

Mariama taught at the Festival I went to in el bosque de Xalapa. This time around, however, was much more intimate, with less people. Mariama is from Conakry, Guinea. She currently lives in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and spent the past few months traveling around Mexico, teaching week long workshops from city to city. what a freakin' life, right?! This woman is amazing- her dancing, her thrill for life, and energy. I just adore her.






Each class was filled with crazy energy, jumps, live drumming (from the afro-drumming enthusiasts of Guadalajara, ofcourse), and the head tossing, hair flinging moves that I LOVE. We did different dances and rhythms each class.... one of my favorites being "Sorsonet." It is a dance that is performed after the harvest by the Baga people of Guinea. This video is a clip I found on the internet... not an actual video of us.



After the last class, we all headed out to Zapopan to dance in the center... yes, live drumming and all... dancing for the Mexican folk out enjoying their saturday night. Awesome good times... then the rain hit like wooooah! In spite of the maguage barrier, Mariama and I got along great, talking about the dances of Brazil and how much we LOVE that culture and flava of that country. We communicated pretty well, between spanish and french. But when it came time for her to ask me to translate... not even close. ha! Soon enough, my brain just wasn't ready. Great times, great week, awesome dancing!





On a side note- Mi familia de Guadalajara is amazing. I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I live in a pretty international house- 1 Mexican (diego), 1 Swede (Sanna), 1 frenchie (Juanito), and 1 American (me). Our convos go from english, to french, to spanish... and then back again. Time with them has made home feel a bit closer.



Juanito not pictured... that taller Mexican is our friend, Omar.

And tonight... Salsa class a La Mutualista!! But more on that later...!

XO- V

Zapateado y mas!

The past few days have been... awesome. So many foot rhythms and good times I don't even know what to do with myself.

First off, yesterday was the Bicentenario of this beautiful country, meaning Wednesday night was craaaazy good times- the streets were filled with thousands of Tapatios in Red, White, and Green, fireworks, music, and lots of street food. My first Mexican holiday in Mexico. Woot!

That day began with a friend of mine telling me he had a 2 day surprise for me that I would LOVE... Hmmmm, didn't think anyone here knew me well enough to make that kind of statement. BUT, he was right. My favorite Son Jarocho group from Veracruz (and good friends of his) were in town. Soooo... after seeing them in the center of the city, and stopping by the rooftop BBQ celebration at my apartment (yeah... kinda missed our own party. whoooops), it was off to a Fandango with locals and Veracruzanos alike.






The next day included free tickets to their show at Teatro Degallado in the city center, amazing Argentinian Sandwiches, and yet another Fandango!



The show itself was rad- it included the guys from Veracruz (Son De Madera), a group/dancers from Michoacan, and another from San Luis Potosi. All different parts of Mexico, but came together in what is called Sones Compartidos. Although los Veracruznos were the best (duuuh), it was still really interesting to see/hear all three styles side by side. Now, I am still in the baby step stages of learning about Mexican music in general. So, being able to compare all three at once was pretty rad. The Fandangos had a similar thing going for them... While there was a lot of Son Jarocho played, sones from different regions, including Jalisco, were also played. So, I got to not only hear the difference, but also see and dance the different zapateado rhythms from region to region.

From this, I met some great tapatios who get together every Friday to dance, sing, play sones tradicionales from all around Mexico. Naturally, I was invited to join. it was a great time with these folks. We focused on sones and rhythms of Jalisco, which was great and new for me.

I have spent a pretty good amount of time tracking down traditional dances of this region. While i have come across some folklorico classes, etc... I really wanted to begin with raw, authentic zapateado of Jalisco, without the glam of folklorico. And, heck yes, I found it. In the middle of the park, with one board, six musicos, and about 7 dancers... it felt more real than anything else I've done here. Amazing, I must say.

Immediately followed by a free concert in a casa cultural with the artistic-alt crowd of Guadalajara... just goes to show the funky diversity of this city.

wow... it just might be growing on me.