A month in...

So two weeks have passed. I feel like things slowed dramatically once I found a place to live. A lot of simple things I've taken for granted were suddenly difficult. Finding a supermarket being number one on the list. But things are good now, as I seem to have found my "go to" places.

That being said, here's some highlights:

Aug. 19: First trip to Mundo Afro. Thought I was going to drum, but didn't. Instead, I did a lot of reading, and was surprised when George Reid Andrews walked in. He wrote this book:

Dr. Andrews was in town for the release of the spanish translation of his book, and I was invited to a gathering at a local bookstore that night. This has turned out to be one of the best things to happen so far, and though I didn't have much opportunity to speak with Reid Andrews, I did have an opportunity to meet and exchange cards with several people who have been a huge help with additional introductions to Uruguayan scholars. I was pretty nerdy, and had Dr. Andrews sign my book. As many of Andrews' works have influenced this project, I'll admit, when he walked in to Mundo Afro, it was kind of like (insert favorite rock star) walked through the door.

Aug. 22: Met the other Fulbrighters. This was mainly a comforting experience, as I learned they all had equally difficult experiences with finding housing and acclimating to Uruguay. I also returned to Mundo Afro, and finally got to sit down with Alvaro Salas, struggle through an interview, and then see some drumming. I can honestly say that I had no idea what was going on, and when I watch the video, I still don't. And this isn't necessarily a language problem, because I'm also lost just watching the drumming.

Aug. 23: Returned to Mundo Afro that morning, thinking I was going to attend a class for school kids. That didn't happen. Waited around, talked with Alvaro until being told to go get in a car that included two other drummers and two dancers. This was not a big car, and also contained three drums. We were "literally" sardines. I just want to add here that I hate riding in cars or taxis in Montevideo...tengo miedo. Love the bus, but not cars. I fear for my life, though I've seen far fewer accidents than in Miami, or even Spartanburg, SC. But anyway, we headed to a MERCOSUR event being held downtown. I had no idea why I was there, but basically hung out for two hours, and videotaped a couple of short performances. The video isn't great, but here's a photo:

Since that time I've regularly started attending candombe workshops in Buceo, so I'm drumming at least two nights a week now. Danielle Brown, one of the other Fulbrighters here, introduced me to "Chupete" Gomez, who builds drums and teaches drumming at Tamborilearte. I can't say enough how great it is to finally be drumming. As for posting a lot of video, it's been requested by the members of Club Buceo that I not do that, and I wasn't given permission to video my first lesson at Tamborilearte. As for pictures, it's difficult to take those when drumming, so if anyone wants to visit and be my candombe groupie, I'd love to have you. However, I'm including a couple of shots of the group in Buceo.

Santi: when he could "focus up," he'd
play the hell out of the drum.

Finally, this month is all about improving my spanish. The goal is to be able to have a conversation on the phone. This is difficult, because I have trouble on the phone in English. It's the 20+ years of playing drums and rarely using ear protection. I notice improvement everyday, but as soon as I'm on the phone, you'd think I didn't know any spanish. With that being said, it's possible I've burned a couple of bridges, mostly with scholars. The candomberos seem much more laid back, and comment on my improving español uruguayo. But with everyone here, I plan on being obnoxiously persistent, and hopefully it's appreciated in the end.