In honor of Hispanic Heritage, I continue to post some cultural bits. On NPR, I listened to an interview, with Fernando Trueba, about Chico and Rita, a film about pre-revolution Cuba. It was absolutely inspiring, and the music sounds so exquisite and dreamy. The film is animated, and it has some of the most brilliant musical minds, talents and voices in it (Bebo Valdez). The film has an Oscar nomination.
A clip with Estrella Morentes, one of the most incredible, if not the most incredible recent flamenco singers.
This PBS special from the White House of the Fiesta Latina is awesome. George Lopez, Jimmy Smits and Eva Longoria hosted. It includes awesome performances and some Latin flavor through our music. Just to hear George Lopez’s jokes makes it worth it.
I decided to walk through SoHo into Little Italy to see if something was going on today for the San Gennaro festival. I knew that Wednesday there is going to be a procession, but I wanted to do something today; so with fingers crossed, I set out on my journey.
When I turned from Broadway onto Grand and walked a bit; this was what I saw.
By: Gabriela Yareliz
Then, I went into the Italian American Museum. There I saw a CD of the twins that sang at the church for the night of remembrance on 9/11.
Photo by: Gabriela Yareliz
The twins, Will and Anthony Nunziata, can be seen here:
Following that, I wandered the streets and in and out of shops and clouds of smoke. Radio stations were there with their DJ’s giving out prizes for games they were hosting. I saw overly tanned faces, gelato, cannolis, meatballs, kiosks brimming with food, steam and good looking waiters who looked irritated.
By: Gabriela YarelizBy: Gabriela Yareliz
The San Gennaro shrine was behind the church, and so I visited that first. There was an entrance to the church, but then I discovered it was an entrance through the very front and a service was going on, and I was wearing bright red sweatpants and a bright red Graduate Assistants United t-shirt. I couldn’t exactly go unnoticed, so then I went around to Baxter, I think it was, and entered the church from the back.
Yesterday was an incredible day. The weather was perfect, and so after church we went out to explore Central Park. They joined me in my quest for the Bow Bridge. 🙂 It was a day full of some of my favorite things: Park, trees, nature, bridge, couples, friends, the Bible, a castle and an Indian wedding.
I needed to find that bridge. Hilariously, no one knew what bridge I was talking about, but when I asked at the welcome center, they knew what bridge. 🙂 We found it!
We saw an Indian wedding photo shoot by the Bethesda Fountain 🙂 I was thrilled… Indian Shaadi!
Today, I did laundry (met a nice met who gave me advice about staying warm and places to visit in NYC). I looked like an idiot at the Laundry mat because I have never used those types of machines. I painted my nails, and I am ready to go to Little Italy. I am feeling the need for something Italian today. I am also getting ready while watching some “I Hate Luv Storys.” I love Sonam’s hair. The weather is perfect– I feel the need to go exploring again. This time, no train. San Gennaro festival is going on right now.
The France 24 channel keeps talking about the Libya incident and anti-American protests. Sigh. What sadness. Anyway, I am heading out. I have plenty of school work to do when I get back, but for now I am exploring. Pray I find a watch for under $100. Apparently, that is hard to find here.
I miss my cricketers.
Fact of the day: Yesterday, I burned my hand while cooking. I accidentally left the metal handle of the pot over the fire and grabbed it. Anyway, my hand is fine because I put potatoe slices on my hand. My mom told me to do this– it worked. So it you ever have a burn, put potato on it. It takes redness, heat and bubbliness away. I swear by it.
we’ve had our share of fun together (yawn), but I’ve just purchased a little black dress, bright red lipstick, some shamefully elevated risqué high heels, and painted my nails a color Essie calls ‘escapades’. I’m in a white wrangler speeding down the highway to a place where dreams come true, memories of past love DIES HARD. Rumor has it, I will experience ALL this heart CRAVES— and gypsy killers with their special gypsy killing knifes aren’t even allowed in such a non-reality-based place. HA… How spectacular.
I don’t know that I’ll want to see you IF I return, I’ve outgrown your ordinarily dull and miserable presence. I plan to lose my mind and heart.I return ONLY when I have forgotten every ill memory that has disenchanted me for the past month ish.
GABRIELA YARELIZ 