Can you get more Mexican than this? I don't think so.



Then again how about this? Believe it or not, this was part of a dance festival in Guadalajara where we performed as part of the Zapopum Festival of International Arts. I think this group was called Haitian's with handbags.


Piñata anyone?



If you do ever buy a piñata for a party, here is the song that you can sing while hitting the thing and smashing it to smithereens.

The Dale, Dale Song
While hitting the piñata the following rhyme is commonly sung:
Dale, dale, dale,
No pierdas el tiro
Porque si lo pierdes
pierdes el camino.
Dale, dale, dale
Dale y no le dio
Quítenle la venda
¡Porque sigo yo!
¡Se Acabó!
¡Sigo yo!
which translates as:
Hit it, hit it, hit it (or Go, go, go)
Don't lose your aim
Because if you lose it (your aim)
You will lose the path. (or road)
Hit it, hit it, hit it (or Go, go, go)
Hit it, He didn't hit it
Take away his blindfold
Because it's now my turn!
I'm next!

I must admit I was a little concerned walking around in public dressed like this, knowing that people like hitting things with sticks around here.



Did I mention that Mexican food sure does taste good? Think I might need a stronger pole? I did have a lot of fun performing with Darren and the audiences were really welcoming.





We ended up performing quite a bit through the season. With temperatures reaching 35 Celsius, ( 95 Fahrenheit ), during most days and the combination of wearing a portable sauna suit it did take its toll. We managed to get away to a local gorge for a relaxing swim.









The area housed a disused hydro-electric power plant.



This is where the water used to gush out after dropping from the dam and rushing through the turbines. What an elaborate drain pipe!



To get to the base of the gorge we had to walk down 800 steps. That wasn't so bad, returning back up was a work-out!





A bit further up the mountain there was a geo-thermal hot spring and natural mud bathes. The water was really hot and many of the locals come here to soak their weary bones and cleanse their skin so they look and feel beautiful. See how well it works.







Now for some good clean fun. Wrestling! We finally got to a Lucha Libre wrestling match at Arena Coliseo, Guadalajara.







What an amazing experience that was. People yelling at other people with taunts to invoke a riot. It was as if the wrestling was secondary to the opportunity to freely express themselves vocally at the denigration of another person or group of people in the audience. It was loud, frenetic and volatile but somehow controlled and all in good fun. At the end of the night, some of us got to meet some of the wrestlers in person. This is a father and son combo. Apparently the father was mega famous in his time as a wrestler.





Kathryn got a few tips from this guy so I warn you, watch out!



Well another Mexico trip is slowly melting away into memory land.



I had a lot of fun and came back with some great souvenirs from the day of the dead.





Who knows where I will end up next? Looks like a 2 month trip to the United States of America from July to September this year. My life at the moment reminds me of the Charlene song "I've never been to me".

I am taking the time, at home, to work on inner development and be true to myself, aware and present in everyday life. Facing some home truths and exploring new possibilities at the moment and it is an exciting, scary and fulfilling journey so far. Maybe this is long over due and a side effect of acting like someone else, (for a career), for so many years has made it difficult to stay in touch with who I am? One thing's for sure, in the past month, I feel like I have been to me and it's not such a bad place after all. In fact, I'd recommend you visit "ME" some time soon.

Look after yourselves and find the joy in who you are and what you are doing RIGHT NOW because that is all that matters.



Love to you all. A very philosophical....

George

xxxooo

Tags: Strange Fruit