A friend, Sonja, and I were walking back from dinner in Ciudad Vieja via 18 de Julio this past weekend and we happened upon a free mini rock concert in the park where "dieciocho" and Tristan Narvanja connect.. We sat ourselves down near the front and watched as the drunk, high, energy-filled crowd grew crazier and crazier with each song. By the last two numbers I had been stepped on twice and Sonja got wine spilled on her. Can't have a rock show without some casualties. Unfortunately, there was no screaming (my favorite), but seeing a mosh pit more than made up for it. (I must learn this word in Spanish.) By the time we left all kinds of beer and wine bottles were smashed on the ground and I had my fix of head-banging. Must experience more of this.
And Sunday I went with Analía and Andrea to watch candombe, a type of music born in Uruguay that involves lots of drums. It wasn't really what I was expecting, but what I got wasn't a let down either. The group turned out to be uniquely all women and they walked? Shuffled is the more appropriate term. But while they were playing they actually moved down three blocks. I was not expecting that. Uruguay is just shocking me lately. First with Halloween, then I discovered dulce de leche in banana split ice cream is da bomb, and now I find out that the groups of candombe move about in the neighborhood in which they originate? Blow my mind, Uruguay.
Last but not least I drank two mates while waiting for the drumming to start. Faces were made as I drank them, but I tried. I wish so badly that I liked the stuff so I could be just a tad bit more uruguayan, but my taste buds aren't having it. It needs sugar! But I won't say that to the uruguayans anymore who exclaim to me, "¡Pero es una bebida amarga! (But its suppose to be a bitter drink!). Bleh, I say.
I just tried downloading a video of the candombe, but it didn't work. Probably for the best as it wasn't great quality in the first place. So, here as some pictures from that night and unfortunately no pictures of the concert.
The flag
The drums
Casey drinking mate?!
I had the pleasure of being in Montevideo on a Sunday evening. The atmosphere was very uplifting. I loved it! It was like experiencing a taste of Carnival. I'm doing a talk/discussion at my college on Candombe culture in Uruguay this Thursday, October 17th. I hope to convey the same excitement that I experienced one Sunday evening in November 2011. Thanks for sharing.
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