I sit here on this Monday night--exactly two weeks away from my return to Nashville-- with a slight sunburn. To be honest, I'm more upset about the mere 14 days I have left here than I am the sunburn. Generally, before I leave I try to take in as much of the sun as I can. I know, I know. It's not good for me, but to be honest, when I leave the island, I like to take some of it with me in a physical manifestation. So in the days I've returned to Nashville, I can continue to feel the warmth of the island on my skin. Yep, I'm a total dramatic sentimental about having to leave. Most of you know how difficult it was last year for me...and I don't suspect it'll be any easier this year.
This past week was quite interesting. Not only was I far more productive than I've been in months, I also was far more productive in spending time with my friends and family. Thus, it is difficult to start to concern myself with leaving, particularly when I feel like I just hit my stride. Yes, this is why I need to be here longer than simply six weeks.
So, in reference to this past week-- I'm sure it is no surprise for you...but there is nothing more that I love than kitchen dance parties and unexpected early morning parties on the beach. And that was exactly what happened.
Here is the breakdown:
1. Unexpectedly, I had five great interviews last week. What I find the most exciting is how generous people are with their time and how excited they are to talk with me about my work. One of my interviewees actually contacted me the day after the interview requesting a follow-up because there was so much more they wanted to tell me.
2. Enrique's confusion about the lyrics to the Violent Femmes song Blister in the Sun....when he sang to us repeatedly, "Let me go out, like a twister in the sky, let me go out....." Que fantastico.
3. Moving on and moving up.
4. Missing the soul dance party, but making plans to have a redux in Rio Piedras this upcoming week with a new friend.
5. My weekly phone dates with Ashley (Ludman), while laughing and recognizing the whole mess of trouble that one particular text message implies.
6. Being a flaneur on my walk to the train station at Sagrado Corazon on Thursday and on my walk down Calle Loiza today to find the post office. Though sadly, finding the post office is an indication that I'm starting to think about sending some of my belongings back to Nashville.
7. Ashley's diagram of the whole process from man to devil in disguise.
8. Michelle sending me a picture of our tickets to the see the Atlanta Braves in September. Wooot!
9. My discovery and first, second, third, fourth, and fifth visits to turntable.fm in the past week. Yes, folks, I've got a new addiction.
10. While in my pajamas on Thursday night, receiving a phone call from Carlos inviting me to go out to El Bar Bero with Orlando, Juanluis, and Giovanni. The evening was quite fantastic. Carlos forced me to order a bottle of wine in Spanish. Then the bartender informed me I was the first person to ever buy a WHOLE bottle of wine. Then, shenanigans at the SuperMaxx, followed with a late, late night/morning on the beach with a whole bunch of Medalla. A wonderful evening.
11. Followed by a wonderful hangover on Friday....only to be cured by a trip to the overly touristy Mexican restaurant Tijuana's with Jorell...and then more turntabling.
12. Followed by a late night conversation that can only be summed up by saying this: dot dot dot.
13. Waking on Saturday to discover that Diego was joining the family to celebrate "the last Saturday of summer" for Magaly and Jorell. Diego and Magaly cooked up a super fantastic dinner. Magaly made us the most delightful basil mojitos. There was several kitchen dance parties. We watched Weird Science, though I think everyone was too intoxicated to gather the specific details of the "science." And then onwards to Nellylandia with Eggie, a fantastic rock show at La Repuesta, then back to Nellylandia to see Diego and Jorell. While everyone was obviously quite intoxicated at that point, when I heard Diego speak English to me, I was sure that I was more intoxicated than I thought, but I wasn't.
14. Waking up late on Sunday to discover that Diego was making brunch for the family. Gosh, I wish I could remember the name of it now....because it was just what we all needed. Then spending a lazy Sunday afternoon watching countless episodes of Mad Men with everyone.
15. Chepi Fest in Rio Piedras. Getting to see lots of friends, in particular Ronald and Milannie. But I suppose the most shocking event of all was when Jorell became the Incredible Hulk and proceeded to rip his jean shorts off of his body while singing.
16. And well, the beach. Because it really is so lovely.
Here are the photos...and I'm saving a couple of key videos-- one of Enrique performing "Twister in the Sky" in the living room and the wild dance moves of Jorell and Magaly in the kitchen-- for a sneak attack...one day when everyone has forgotten that I have these videos....Ja!
 |
| Puerto Rico Summer Week 4 |
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment