“To Hunger is to be Alive and to hope.” Crescent Dragonwagon, writer

We’d hungered the past year for culture. And, finally, the time arrived for a taste of it and of what life was like pre-Covid with some FLAMENCO!

This wonderful opportunity came to us through our dance aficionado friends, Kathleen and John. The “Tableos Flamenco”  show was held al fresco at an artists’ creative community known as La Cochera Cultural  (literally a carport or garage) in Ajijic; a charming old Mexican home with a spacious patio. The setting sun, evening cool, and intimate courtyard provided the perfect performance space for the small attendance allowed; socially distanced.

Flamenco, in its strictest sense, is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, originating in the region of Andalusia. Sevilla is considered the birthplace. On November 16, 2010, UNESCO declared flamenco one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and an Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The term is used to refer to a variety of Spanish musical styles. The oldest record of flamenco music dates to 1774; Its popularity is worldwide. México has a great thirst for it with a strong contingent of dancers who travel throughout the country to perform. Luckily, Ajijic is on the circuit. Interestingly, in Japan, there are more flamenco academies than there are in Spain.

Our show consisted of a flamenco singer, guitarist, a drummer on the Cajon  (“box”), a percussion instrument, dancer, and guest musician on saxophone. Surprisingly, the sax was a perfect addition to accompany the performers and added a depth of sound to the guitar and the Cajon.

The dancer’s exquisite hand movements captivated me with their liquid fluidity and sensuality; they almost spoke with their poetic silence. Kathleen mentioned how muscularly developed the digits have to be to express the emotions of the dance. At the other end, her feet were mesmerizing to watch; her strength and skill were phenomenal. Flamenco requires immense coordination between the extremities with the improvisational interpretation. Of course, David, ever the fashionista, eyed her extravagant costume up and down and was particularly entranced with her lacy, fringed overlay.

There was a special, surprise rendition of the romantic Mexican song, “Bésame Mucho”  (Kiss Me a Lot), performed gitano style (Spanish male gypsy). For me, this song always conjures up delicate, soft kisses under a moonlit sky. However, this gitano version was more like hungry, ravishing kisses set against a background of crashing waves of a thunderous sea. I wanted to light a cigarette after it ended!

Prior to the show, we dined at an Italian restaurant, Pasta Trenta, in its new location in town. The lovely patio setting was cooled off by the shadows of the old, mature trees. Mexicans tend to overcook their pasta, but both of our dishes were al dente perfection and flavorful. David’s spaghetti puttanesca and my Funghi pasta left us happy for a return visit.

Customer service in México is still in its infancy; the practicing motto being, “The customer is not always right.” I have had to make several trips into Guadalajara in order to have my new Nespresso coffee machine properly working. Letters will be written to corporate … I felt the least the sales staff could have done was given me a couple of free coffee capsules thrown in for all my inconveniences.

The flipside to the ordeal was the repeat lunch visits at our new favorite seafood restaurant, Campomar  (Land/Sea). It’s a bustling, popular place with incredibly fresh, delicious treats from the sea. I want to work my way through the extensive menu. And it all washes down beautifully with their tasty sangria!

Back on the home front, cooking still reigns supreme …

On The Menu … Chicken Pibil,  cooked all wrapped up in banana leaves (provided from our own garden!), Chicken Tostadas, Tortilla Española  prepared with soyrizo, overstuffed/leftover burritos and a feeble attempt at a Wonton (from Costco) Noodle Soup. And there was David’s satisfying, first attempt at blueberry muffins.

It’s with the hope and the hunger for travel that I’m looking forward to 2021; with plans made to visit much missed family and friends.