To Embody the Unembodied. Justo.

Oh shnaps.

Do you wanna hear about what I did today? I'm sure you do, why else would you be here? Hmm? Here goes.

So, if you've been to Chile you know how nice the people are. I actually find them more than nice. I'm pretty sure I've never met a group of people more genial than these people are (Is it something they eat?hmm..). But anyway, I digress. I was able to make a moment today by deciding to go to an interview at 10:30pm. Justo. It was justo. Just perfect.

  I am studying the influence, presence, and rol of the Aymara culture (an ethnic group with origins en northern Chile, southern Peru and part of Bolivia) in music found in the city of Valparaiso and I got to meet a group of ladies (and one man who isn't technically in the group, but yea) who basically embody this topic. Justo I tell you.

   I'd been reading up on them all day and trying to get an interview with them and to get in contact with the director who's phone was acting up so we hadn't been able to talk. BUT..she calls me up around 7:30pm telling me that they were going to be playing in a restaurant in 3 hours and we could do the interview afterwards. I was currently enjoying onces (a tea-time meal that usually replaces dinner) with my family and 'cousin' M. The conversation was short and I was more confused after talking to her than clear on what was going on. My family helped me figure out where they were so I eventually decided to walk with my 'cousin' to her house which is right by the venue.  HOWEVER, upon getting near her place, I heard music. Música andina (ps. the kind of music the group plays). Lakitas Matriasaya en vivo. Justo I tell you.

   I got to listen to them and share in the environment that is northern music. I hung around for a while as the ladies drank tinto (red wine) and vino blano (white wine). I figured I might as well join them and get a feel for who this group is by just chillin' and talking with them. They were so willing to talk and shared the very core of the group's purpose. I got invited to their recording session. Qué bacan!!! Estoy super emocionada para ver mi tema en vivo.

    So I spent the next 1.4 hours talking to them and eating fish popcorn (forgotten the name). It was amazing. They learned some English, I rattled off in Spanish. The ladies (and the lone man) were absolutely genial!  They helped me soo much and, even though I didn't get home till almost 2am, I had a ball learning about the cultura aymara and the people that embody here. After making up my mind that I was going to learn everything I could, I just talked. I didn't fear not being understood nor did I let my sleepy side take me away. I was going to LEARN. (See how I underlined, bolded and italisized it? I was serious).

Boy did I learn...and make new friends. I think we're going shopping tomorrow...yep. Pam, Mari, Ife and Juanito. Bffs. :)

To learn more about the women that embody the unembodied, here is their link on MySpace y en Facebook. They are a group of women that play Andino music: Music that is usually played by only men and and is not seen in urban spaces.

Justo.

Deuces ya'll. I'm out.