The Second Day . . .

I woke up early Tuesday morning, knowing that I had to walk to a place that I only had a vague idea of how to get to . . . or even what it looked like when I got there.   I didn’t know the name of the building, or even the address.  (now, a smart girl would have hopped on the internet that morning and gotten that information, but . . . this smart girl wasn’t in her right mind.) 

Jorge had told me that the theater (teatro!) was 6 blocks “down” and two blocks to the right.  I could do that no problemo!  So I dressed comfortably (jean capri’s and a loose cotton shirt), a pair of flipflops, and horn on my back, off I went to find the Teatro!   I walked 6 blocks “down”, took a right and went 2 blocks. . . and found myself definitely NOT at the theater.  Shit.  So now what?  I looked around and remembered the theater was in a plaza of sorts . . so I looked for the biggest building I could find, and started walking towards it.  I ended up at the plaza grande (though I wouldn’t know it was called that for a few more days).  Things looked sorta familiar . . but everything in this place looks so much the same that I really wasn’t sure of myself.  I stopped and asked one of the police on the street corner where the “teatro!” was.  He says . . . “which one?”.   Shit.  I have no idea.  I say to him “Symphony Orchestra?” . . he gives me a blank stare and points out 3 different theaters.  They all look the same to me.  I wander into one of them . . it looks like a huge courtyard.  I hang around, hoping to see some musicians . . . nothin.  Nada mas.  So I book it out the door and ask the same cop (who recognizes me now) where the other theaters were.  He points me in the general direction.  I head back across town towards a different theater. I get there and know this is DEFINITELY not the one . . . it’s a movie theater.  Balls.  So I head back . . . I had to be in the general vicinity.  It’s getting close to the start of rehearsal and I’m starting to panic.  (notice a running theme here?)  I have a thing about being late for rehearsal . . . it’s a fate worse than death to me. 

And now the sun is REALLY starting to get hot.  I walk by the same cop again and he grins a wide toothy grin at me and holds both his hands in the air as if to say “no luck? Still lost?”.  I responded with the same gesture and he chuckles and goes back to what he’s doing (directing traffic).  I walk around some promising areas but find nothing that would lead me to believe an orchestra rehearsal was going on inside.   Shitshitshit.   At this point I’m about an hour late for rehearsal.  I look at my phone clock and decide this is useless and that I’m going to go home.  But I’ve been so far all over the place that I have NO idea how to get back to the hotel.  I start to panic again and figure that I’ll just wander.. eventually I have to find it right?  (deargodpleaseletmefindthisplacefuckingmexico!)  So I picked a direction that I figured was correct and start walking.  Just then I hear “Amiga!  Amiga!!!  Orchestra?!?!”

JESUSHCHRIST!  They sent someone out to look for me and the guy actually found me!  How the hell we ran into each other I have NO idea but I am SO SO SO glad to see that kid in a YSO shirt that I just about bust out in tears.  Again.  In effing public no less.  What is happening to me down here?!?! 

By the time I got to rehearsal I was DRENCHED with sweat.  The sweet boy who found me in the street brought me a bottle of water.   The horn section does a silent cheer when I show up (they all thought I went home!  lol)

Finally I’m where I understand . . . no matter what language is spoken . . . here, I am in control.  I still have no money, I have no phone, I have no idea where I am . . . but now I know I will be safe!

I meet Davide (Daah-vi-day), a boisterous man from Italy.  Samuel (Sam-well), the Frenchman with the smiling eyes, and JuanJo (Wan-ho), the principal horn player from Mexico.  Once break time rolls around (I made it before break woohoo!), I finally run into Rob (the only person in the orchestra that I actually know . . . he and I went to school together at BW . . we were in brass quintet together, he was at my 21^st birthday party, etcetc.)  And then as people introduce themselves to me, this is when I learn that Mexico is similar to Europe . . . you say hello with a kiss!  (on the cheek, but a kiss nonetheless).   I still can’t remember all the names of the people I’ve been introduced to . . but as we spend more time together I’m sure I’ll get to know everyone. 

I learn that Davide is staying in the same hotel as I am .. . so he agrees to walk back with me after rehearsal so I don’t get lost.  Rob mentions that he has to teach today, and has yoga the next but we’ll hang out soon.  I jumped on the Yoga and asked if I could join . . I needed to get involved in SOMETHING.  He was extremely obliging and promised to give me info later. 

After rehearsal, all the musicians gathered at the little café next to the rehearsal hall.  I’m introduced to Mary, the ‘woman’ of the house.  It seems the musicians keep this little café running . . . this was the first rehearsal after a 2+ month summer break, so she was VERY happy to see everyone. 

Now, I have to describe café’s in Mexico.  This is not an establishment that you walk into.  This is the same as any store you find here . . . with the rolling metal doors.  Once those doors open, there’s just an open hole in the wall where the owner will drag out tables and chairs, right into the walk way (don’t worry, I’ll take pictures!).  There is no air conditioning, no incredible service. If you want water. . you go get it yourself from the water cooler in the back.  If you want something to eat there are sandwiches on the bar or you order one of the few things she offers during the day (ham or turkey sandwich, or the local pork sandwich who’s name escapes me right now).  

After rehearsal you’ll find most of the musicians gathered here.  Some just stand around and chat, most sit down and have a Cerveza or Café.  That first rehearsal I had no money, so Davide bought me a beer (Dos Equis Amber).  Now . . I’m not a huge beer drinker . . . but for some reason even beer tastes better here! 

I followed Davide home, relieved that I had someone to walk with.  Also, he’s a very interesting character so our conversation continued pretty well . . . especially considering his English isn’t his first language and he struggles with it from time to time. 

Once we returned to the hotel I found out that we were not only staying in the same hotel, we were right next door to one another!  (I’m in room 3, he’s in 2!).  If only I had known that my first day would have been much less stressful and I totally would have walked with him that morning. 

Oh well.  Cest La Vie, right?  ;)  (I wonder what that is 'en espanol')  :)

Needless to say, I felt a bit better about the situation on Tuesday.  I was still a bit apprehensive, but at least I had something to reference now.  I ended up getting a bit brave and wandering back to the store.  I still had no cash, but at least I could use my debit card at the store in a pinch, and that’s exactly what I did.  After I got something to eat, I went and sat online with the folks (again, thank God for Skype!). 

I didn’t do much the rest of that day as I wasn’t feeling very adventurous.  But at least I wasn’t blind with panic like I was the day before.  

Day two = MUCH better than day one!!