May 14, 2013
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The Blue Mariachi Band
When we go out to eat, we frequent family-owned establishments. We don't prefer chains. Our location in Texas means there are a lot of Mexican restaurants, and all of them are absolute family operations, sometimes there is even a language barrier. I don't mind that of course, it's authentic and I love that they are sharing a part of their tradition, a part of themselves, with us. The other night, we went to such a restaurant.
We'd been there before, it's our first choice when we want to eat Mexican food. But this time, it must have been a special event of some kind. The tables were lined with white satin and lace overlays. The chairs were wrapped in fabric with huge gold satin bows. It looked like wedding decorations. Every table had a big vase with at least a dozen live (large) carnations. And a live mariachi band was playing. What a surprise when we walked through the doors!
They were in authentic attire. Blue. There were 5 men and 1 woman. They were fantastic. But the real surprise was one of the restaurant patrons. A very, very old man.
He had to be nearing his 100s, no exaggeration. He wore a brown bowling hat with a fancy feather pinned to it. He was a dapper chap, there was no denying his old man swag. He enjoyed the music very much, and I guess he could no longer contain himself, and why not? So he stood.
He began to dance between the tables. A simple step, but to the beat. And then his wife joined him. He put one hand around her waist and the other held her hand. They swayed to the happy music with broad smiles on their aged faces.
The song changed, to something that most of the crowd recognized and cheered wildly for. The woman in the mariachi band walked over to the couple and she serenaded them.
Excuse me for saying so, but she serenaded the shit out of them. It was a show worthy of a hundred encores.
And then, the blue mariachi band played a soft romantic song, the couple danced once more. The whole restaurant burst into applause and cheers (as I burst into tears, like I do). And it was over.
It was a moment that stopped time. This Blue Mariachi Band. And this elderly couple, who shared their joy and their love. Without reservation. Ageless.
Comments (6)
That sounds like an awesome moment.
Well, you know us Hispanics, ever the romantics.
@TheTheologiansCafe - I enjoyed it every much. It was like a movie moment. I wonder how many of these are all around us, but we're so busy or distracted we miss them?
@hombre_de_la_mancha - I don't know, it's a mixed bag for me. The Portuguese boyfriend, yes, he was romantic. Le sigh! But the Spanish lover? Well, I shouldn't say lover, because once was enough. AWFUL.
Too much?
@PrincessPowers - Too much? As in TMI? Nah, it's cool. I haven't had a Portuguese bf or a Spanish lover. But, being a bit of a mutt myself, (mostly Hispanic, 1/4 Greek, with a bit of Italian, Spanish and Irish mixed in for good measure) I truly enjoy being romantic. Sure there's a time and place for everything, but I think it's fun too.
WOW, that sounds lovely!!!
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