Arrival in Jerez!
We arrived in Jerez late at night. Sleep deprived and excited, I watched from the windows of the taxi. As it made its way along the dark rural roads, Monica and our very friendly, chatty driver talked about her returning to her roots as she was born and spent the first part of her life not much more than an hour from here. I of course understand very few words of this... she leaned over translate every once in a while.
They switched to the subject of flamenco, and here I can catch some of what they say as I am familiar with the vocabulary, and have a a good idea of what they might say. Usual things - like... Some people are meant to dance - they are the ones that "HAVE IT" - just learning the technique is what's important after that ... the rest...well they are trying ...BUT....(you are to nod your head "knowingly" here ) How many years have you been dancing... What's happening in town tonight...
As I hear their voices in the backround, I see we are entering the outskirts of Jerez. Typically Spanish-looking buildings come into view in between the usual "outskirt' things like car dealerships and auto body shops that look the same anywhere in the
world.
AND THEN I see the first palm trees and peeling stucco walls that I know are surrounding courtyards... and I know I am here.
My heart shifts, and I see more doorways that are decorated in colorful tiles of all colors. Big wooden doors that have the metal knocker in the middle just like they are supposed to. The buildings and streets have a golden yellow light... their walls dotted with long thin windows with iron balconies, the windows themselves all shuttered up, and the entries of the buildings all closed up because it is late. I could burst, I'm so happy to be here at last.
We arrive at the hotel... and almost get run over in the narrow street by the surprisingly large number of cars charging through at a speed that certainly is going to take getting used to.
After settling in I start figuring out how to study the most useful phrases the fastest..as I obviously did not prepare NEARLY enough in the learning Spanish dept for this trip, and Monica is off to see her relatives.
NOTE TO SELF - "Definitely learn to speak the language first when pursuing one's life-long dream in a different country! "
The city is full of orange trees.
The cafe open on Sunday.
The bank that is across from a good cafe!
So here I sit 24 hours later (after a long walk to get my bearings and maybe re-set my jet lagged body clock and keep me awake). I am in a café full of local families (It's Sunday, and one of the few places open) getting strange looks from the dressed up older ladies, as I am alone, casually dressed, and tapping away at my laptop (which has GOT to be weird.) I get my unusually patient and good-humored waiter to take a picture of me.
I forgot to pack my dancing shoes..so those, and a toothbrush are my first goals tomorrow when the stores open.
I have no idea what it was that I just ate...I pointed to my mouth, and looked as hungry as I could when my waiter came to me with seven very fast sentences... and this is what he brought me. It looks all wiggly, so I am expecting what non latinos usually throw away in culteral difference. It tasted really good , and I was really hungry, so all is well.
Until the next blog... buenos noches!
They switched to the subject of flamenco, and here I can catch some of what they say as I am familiar with the vocabulary, and have a a good idea of what they might say. Usual things - like... Some people are meant to dance - they are the ones that "HAVE IT" - just learning the technique is what's important after that ... the rest...well they are trying ...BUT....(you are to nod your head "knowingly" here ) How many years have you been dancing... What's happening in town tonight...
As I hear their voices in the backround, I see we are entering the outskirts of Jerez. Typically Spanish-looking buildings come into view in between the usual "outskirt' things like car dealerships and auto body shops that look the same anywhere in the
world.
AND THEN I see the first palm trees and peeling stucco walls that I know are surrounding courtyards... and I know I am here.
My heart shifts, and I see more doorways that are decorated in colorful tiles of all colors. Big wooden doors that have the metal knocker in the middle just like they are supposed to. The buildings and streets have a golden yellow light... their walls dotted with long thin windows with iron balconies, the windows themselves all shuttered up, and the entries of the buildings all closed up because it is late. I could burst, I'm so happy to be here at last.
We arrive at the hotel... and almost get run over in the narrow street by the surprisingly large number of cars charging through at a speed that certainly is going to take getting used to.
After settling in I start figuring out how to study the most useful phrases the fastest..as I obviously did not prepare NEARLY enough in the learning Spanish dept for this trip, and Monica is off to see her relatives.
NOTE TO SELF - "Definitely learn to speak the language first when pursuing one's life-long dream in a different country! "
The city is full of orange trees.
The cafe open on Sunday.
The bank that is across from a good cafe!
So here I sit 24 hours later (after a long walk to get my bearings and maybe re-set my jet lagged body clock and keep me awake). I am in a café full of local families (It's Sunday, and one of the few places open) getting strange looks from the dressed up older ladies, as I am alone, casually dressed, and tapping away at my laptop (which has GOT to be weird.) I get my unusually patient and good-humored waiter to take a picture of me.
I forgot to pack my dancing shoes..so those, and a toothbrush are my first goals tomorrow when the stores open.
I have no idea what it was that I just ate...I pointed to my mouth, and looked as hungry as I could when my waiter came to me with seven very fast sentences... and this is what he brought me. It looks all wiggly, so I am expecting what non latinos usually throw away in culteral difference. It tasted really good , and I was really hungry, so all is well.
Until the next blog... buenos noches!
posted by Edie at 9:19 AM
1 Comments:
Edie, it's Monica your translator and friend who left you stranded to experience what we should all experience in life. living in the moment and doing what you can to get by. You did exactly that and I love you for it. While you were exploring the spanish world, I myself was exploring many things. First realization was that i need to buy a watch. (still don't have one). I missed my bus to La Linea so spent 2 hours just sinking in the language and orange trees, people talking, walking, smoking, drinking and just living life. An old man came up to me and wanted to take me with him. he put his hand out to me and I think he was actually serious. Got on the bus and loved every anxious minute. The bus was hot as the air conditioner didn't work and the sun was beaming in. no one else seemed to be hot but me. finally I arrived and I got off in Algeceres. I departed the bus at the port which was too early so I walked to the station where my 2 uncles were waiting for me. So cute, my mom's 2 brothers. Where's your friend they said? We have a room ready for her! My only response was that you had to expereince something on your own. A french man tried to have his way with me while I was walkign to the station, so because he would not give up I had to say some nasty words which are translated quite easily in any country.
The time with the family was unexplainable. I would walk everywhere, had no plans and loved just being there sinking in my long lost roots that I wish I could be a part of every day. Watching my Aunts walk from house to house in there house coats, which they practilly live in, and their slippers. Trying to tell them how they should stop cooking so much and taking care of their husbands and just do something for themselves. cooking and cleaning every day all day. My dita dolores, looked at me and laughed one day meaning we are both from different worlds.
Little children look at you and say hola, adios. People are happy to talk to you with no commitment, just to say hi and where are you from.
well, should go now, must prepare to practice what I have learned.
The one most wonderful thing I have learned here is that I'm happy to be me, and there is nothing or no one out there that could ever change what I have.
What I've learned about Flamenco... It is all inside in the end, there is technique and steps but once you have those 2 things, it is all in your heart, what you feel when you dance is your own, what you feel may be pain, it may be joy it may be unexplainable. It is just what you feel. I have a new appreciation for the singers now as well. The singing here has also touched my heart.
Hasta Luego,
Monica Perez
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