The Start of the Cold Front
Yesterday was one of the HOTTEST DAYS. Almost too much to bear. Before we came, they warned us that it was winter and it was really cold. But before we left, I continually checked the internet and it said the weather would be in the 80s. So, I packed a bunch of summer clothes, some light sweaters, and a jacket.
Well, when we woke up this morning, I felt like we were in Daly City. The fog was rolling in and it was misting. We couldn't believe the change from one day to another.
We performed at Sunday Mass with the other groups. Before we left for the church, we all waited in the lobby until they told us it was time to leave. The Africans like to sing, even when they are just standing around. I noticed that while they were singing, one of the men was behind a woman holding her chest. It was then that I realized how normal it is in their culture to do things like that. But they also need to know that it's not acceptable in all cultures.
We performed Sublian right before the offering of the gifts. It was so appropriate for the occassion. We performed at the alter and they pushed back the tabernacle (is that what it's called?) further back.
All the other groups were part of the offerings and performed such beautiful songs. The most beautiful songs to me were the Lithuanians and the S. Africans, who actually happen to be 95% Christian. Besides the other groups that perform with us, there were 2 additional local groups: an Afro-Cuban group and a Capoiera group. It was kind of strange watching them do Copeira on the alter.
We were supposed to do a street performance but it was canceled because of the weather. And because it was Sunday, everything was closed. So, I took advantage of the time and just slept during the afternoon...little did I know that time like that would be rare.
Tonight, we were the last to go on after China. China has kind of been the black sheep of the groups. They arrived late and after they arrived, they haven't participated in a lot of the activities, like Nations Night. I don't think anyone from their country went to the first 2. But they definitely are a crowd pleaser. We have yet to watch them perform but I think they do acrobatics and contortionism.
Tonight we performed Spanish: Jovencita, Paseo, Aray, Bev sang Mutnya, and Manilena. The biggest surprise occurred right after Jovencita. Christian is supposed to enter and curtsy to us as we exit. Well, on stage I'm waiting for him to enter but who enters instead? Kuya Rudi!!!! My first thought was Christian got hurt. But as we got backstage, we found out that he had decided the day before to dance and only told Christian and Warren. No one else knew, including Tin, who was dancing with him. She was completely shocked!
Also, in the middle of Manilena, Genie lost her shoe but it was under her dress the whole time during the patay. We were watching it on the monitor and it looked fine. We didn't even know it happened until after. She found it just in time for the fast part.
Overall, spanish seemed to be a crowd pleaser as well. In fact, the Brazilian Director mentioned that Spain was here last year but he thought our dances were better than theirs. What a great compliment!
Tonight was S. Africa's nations night. The most festive by far! Their musicians were on stage playing away, while the women greeted the guests with African beads.
They were serving African Beer and a type of shot of some kind. I hate beer but I actually like what they were serving...it was very chocolaty. They served porridge, chicken, and tripe. Basically, they told everyone to eat with their hands.
After I got my plate, everyone started doing the electric slide, so I put my plate down for a second. When I went to look for it, it was gone and didn't want to go back again. I was able to nibble off other people's plates and it was pretty good.
It was actually pretty educating. They described how the group is on the border of Swaziland and S. Africa. They explained the different clothing worn by the group. There are 3 basic costumes for the women: dark costumes with haircaps (married women), red dresses with no caps (single but not virgins), and topless women (virgins).
They actually have a couple women that perform topless during the big performances. They work at the Matsamo Cultural Center in S. Africa and are actually booked on tours for the next 3 years.
When the dancing started, they invited the other groups to come on stage and jam with them. So people were playing the drums and their xylophones.
After Bev, Gen, and I went upstairs, we heard that Vince & Christian got up on stage and started rapping. I wish I saw that one!
During the party, some of the girls were talking to the Lithuanian director. The Liths are very cute and pretty. They all have hot bodies. Imagine people from Orange County...blonde, blue eyed, and toned. BUT....they are STINKY!!!!! My god...they are so baho! I think it's just the men. But I digress. The Lith director was saying how they didn't want to take more than 1 costume. And he was really disappointed because he wanted them to take more. So he told them..."Look at Filipinas! They have so many costumes!"
We're pretty much the only group that breaks out with something completely new. Everyone else has the same costumes and remix their reportoire. I think that definitely makes us stand out!
Well, when we woke up this morning, I felt like we were in Daly City. The fog was rolling in and it was misting. We couldn't believe the change from one day to another.
We performed at Sunday Mass with the other groups. Before we left for the church, we all waited in the lobby until they told us it was time to leave. The Africans like to sing, even when they are just standing around. I noticed that while they were singing, one of the men was behind a woman holding her chest. It was then that I realized how normal it is in their culture to do things like that. But they also need to know that it's not acceptable in all cultures.
We performed Sublian right before the offering of the gifts. It was so appropriate for the occassion. We performed at the alter and they pushed back the tabernacle (is that what it's called?) further back.
All the other groups were part of the offerings and performed such beautiful songs. The most beautiful songs to me were the Lithuanians and the S. Africans, who actually happen to be 95% Christian. Besides the other groups that perform with us, there were 2 additional local groups: an Afro-Cuban group and a Capoiera group. It was kind of strange watching them do Copeira on the alter.
We were supposed to do a street performance but it was canceled because of the weather. And because it was Sunday, everything was closed. So, I took advantage of the time and just slept during the afternoon...little did I know that time like that would be rare.
Tonight, we were the last to go on after China. China has kind of been the black sheep of the groups. They arrived late and after they arrived, they haven't participated in a lot of the activities, like Nations Night. I don't think anyone from their country went to the first 2. But they definitely are a crowd pleaser. We have yet to watch them perform but I think they do acrobatics and contortionism.
Tonight we performed Spanish: Jovencita, Paseo, Aray, Bev sang Mutnya, and Manilena. The biggest surprise occurred right after Jovencita. Christian is supposed to enter and curtsy to us as we exit. Well, on stage I'm waiting for him to enter but who enters instead? Kuya Rudi!!!! My first thought was Christian got hurt. But as we got backstage, we found out that he had decided the day before to dance and only told Christian and Warren. No one else knew, including Tin, who was dancing with him. She was completely shocked!
Also, in the middle of Manilena, Genie lost her shoe but it was under her dress the whole time during the patay. We were watching it on the monitor and it looked fine. We didn't even know it happened until after. She found it just in time for the fast part.
Overall, spanish seemed to be a crowd pleaser as well. In fact, the Brazilian Director mentioned that Spain was here last year but he thought our dances were better than theirs. What a great compliment!
Tonight was S. Africa's nations night. The most festive by far! Their musicians were on stage playing away, while the women greeted the guests with African beads.
They were serving African Beer and a type of shot of some kind. I hate beer but I actually like what they were serving...it was very chocolaty. They served porridge, chicken, and tripe. Basically, they told everyone to eat with their hands.
After I got my plate, everyone started doing the electric slide, so I put my plate down for a second. When I went to look for it, it was gone and didn't want to go back again. I was able to nibble off other people's plates and it was pretty good.
It was actually pretty educating. They described how the group is on the border of Swaziland and S. Africa. They explained the different clothing worn by the group. There are 3 basic costumes for the women: dark costumes with haircaps (married women), red dresses with no caps (single but not virgins), and topless women (virgins).
They actually have a couple women that perform topless during the big performances. They work at the Matsamo Cultural Center in S. Africa and are actually booked on tours for the next 3 years.
When the dancing started, they invited the other groups to come on stage and jam with them. So people were playing the drums and their xylophones.
After Bev, Gen, and I went upstairs, we heard that Vince & Christian got up on stage and started rapping. I wish I saw that one!
During the party, some of the girls were talking to the Lithuanian director. The Liths are very cute and pretty. They all have hot bodies. Imagine people from Orange County...blonde, blue eyed, and toned. BUT....they are STINKY!!!!! My god...they are so baho! I think it's just the men. But I digress. The Lith director was saying how they didn't want to take more than 1 costume. And he was really disappointed because he wanted them to take more. So he told them..."Look at Filipinas! They have so many costumes!"
We're pretty much the only group that breaks out with something completely new. Everyone else has the same costumes and remix their reportoire. I think that definitely makes us stand out!
posted by Mur at 12:44 PM
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