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March 20, 2006 11:35 AM- popping down to Mexico
Recently I received a
cd with an adorable black pug on the cover. The fact that this gift came from one of my New York City doppelgangers*, the ever lovely, could-she-be-any-more-talented-and-on-the-cutting-edge Lauren Cerand (the answer is no, she couldn't) made it all the sweeter and, honest to god, made me feel like I had edge! Edge! Me, living in the backwoods . . tuned into something the cool kids are listening to.
The cd is an essay, ?The Essential Francisco Sosa or, Picadou?s Mexico City? written by C.M. Mayo.
I had been meaning to listen to it, but the right time never seemed to appear when I could actually listen and focus on a story. But then, Saturday morning, as I headed south on I93 to Boston the perfect opportunity presented itself.
I sipped my coffee and zipped past the tall pines and leafless trees of northern New Hampshire in mid-March, as Ms. Mayo?s voice transported me to Coyoacan, an ancient corner of Mexico City, where fragrant flowers tumble over walls and trees ?hold hands? over boulevards.
The essay is simple, yet layered. On the surface, the author recounts details of a daily walk with her pug, Picadou. Yet, tucked into each corner of the stroll are memories of friends now gone, reflections on the beauty and history of this section of the city, frustration and annoyance with the pollution, crime, and dog shit that is also part of the landscape.
I loved it. Talk about being transported. I doubt I?ll ever actually get to visit Mexico City in the flesh, but for a brief moment on Saturday?I could almost feel like I was there.
And like all good art, it left me energized with a heightened awareness/attention to my surroundings and a desire to go do something creative myself. So go visit Lauren and tell her how wonderful she is and help me to say thank you for being so generous and thoughtful!
*It seems I use the term ?doppelganger? incorrectly and too frequently (as was told to me not long ago by a new acquaintance). Je m?en fiche. I use words as they suit me. So if you, like my new acquaintance don?t care for the stranglehold I exert on vocabulary, please keep your truthiness to yourself, m?kay?
got 2 cents?
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la vie en rose says:
it's been raining for 3 days...i think i need to be transported to sunny mexico right now too.
posted on: March 20
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pomme says:
I'm guessing you mean doppelganger to evoke affinity? kindred spirit? En tout cas, I get a kick out of "the stranglehold [you] exert on vocabulary." :)
posted on: March 20
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Janeen says:
Oh, dear Blue, do go to Mexico City someday. Coyoacan is one of my favorite parts thereof. The first time I ever smelled coffee roasting was there. So many good memories!
posted on: March 20
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Claire says:
I too was feeling down with the kids and hip today listening to the 'be your own pet' ep a friend gave me...they're only 18 you know! Although it was a bit hard to extricate any layers of meaning...terribly noisy. I guess I am old after all!
posted on: March 20
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Erica says:
Oooh...wabi-sabi! I would like to live that life too, once I dig out from the clutter.
(Thanks for the recommendation!)
posted on: March 20
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Blue Dog says:
Your description reminds me of the first time I heard Beuna Vista Social Club. I was taking a bath in a big clawfoot tub in a house that had hardwood floors and hardly anthing in it. The sound was incredible and mixed with sunshine coming through the windows and the strong smell of coffee that my friend was brewing for me. I was hung-over, but for some reason it is one of the best memories I have. I was transported--COMPLETELY. Since then, I've always wanted to go to Cuba.
ps.
I think you should go to Mexico City.
posted on: March 20
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bp says:
oh blue dog-- THAT description was so awesome! Makes me want to crawl into the tub . ..
posted on: March 21
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christina says:
I too use doppleganger in some interesting ways. It is a word FITTING random usage I think!
posted on: March 21
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