I've got Rythm!

Ritmo!
I've got a rhythm'! Last Sunday I went to the oh so common fiesta and was pleasantly surprised. Usually I don't frequent the fiestas on Sundays because I am supposed to be "mujer seria" (serious woman) and a respected member of the community. However, I am also supposed to integrate, so it's a balancing act. Anyway, the fiestas here are a bit of a conflict for me because of the economic status of my community. I can't see the logic behind throwing a party when it's a struggle to feed the family every day. In no way does this scream sing, dance, drink rum, play the drums, buy styrofoam plates and plastic cups. On the other hand, live every day to its fullest right? as if there is no tomorrow! I This particular fiesta I threw reason to the wind and just tried to enjoy myself. It was great. All ages flooded the dance floor, played palo and sang all the while. It is no wonder why just about everyone in this country can dance! These kids are born with rhythm. No one has verguenza (shame) dancing either regardless of their, age, economic status or body type. Imagine acting on your every impulse to move to the music? You might just find some rhythm somewhere along the line. Practice does make perfect! This does not imply that I am going to go back to the states and feel the same freedom to bop to the beat on the way to the store, but while I am in this country, you bet I am taking advantage of the normalcy in dancing whenever the mood strikes me.
What amazed me most from this little get together were these four muchachos playing palo and essentially capturing a crowd of 30. These kids who sometimes show up to my medio ambiente charlas were standing in front of me jammin' away as if they had been performing for years. I can guarantee none of them have even heard of music school or think what they are doing is "hot" or "cool". They are playing palo because of tradition, custom, culture and straight up pleasure. Playing with such confidence is second nature to these guys because it is what they have been surrounded by this Sunday every Sunday since they came into this world. It is incredible what goes unnoticed to the majority of the people in my community but stands out like a sore thumb to me! To say the least, I was impressed by these young amateur musicians and to the fiesta I will return!