Embrace
Information:
- Source: The Wonders of Music Notebook
- Key: D Major / B minor
- Measures: 36
- Parts: Cello and Piano
- Duration: 2:57 min
- Pages: 3
Mexico. Melancholy, profoundly right and wrong, it embraces as it strangulates
— Ann Castillo
Hello,
FOR THE LOVE OF PETE
I was born and raised in Mexico, but I was spoiled in California and spent the last twenty six years of my life living there. Now that I am back, I didn’t think I was going to experience a cultural shock, or rather, a reverse cultural shock; as it is refer by experts on the subject, however; I was wrong, oh so wrong!.
The elements of surprise, confusion, disorientation, feeling out of place, and believe it or not, language, were all, well, “surprising” to say the least. I didn’t evaluate my expectations before hand, I didn’t think I have to, after all, I’m a Mexican going to live in Mexico, for the love of Pete!
Excitement with a dose of hope for a brighter future was, I have to say, all I needed at the moment, although, I don’t consider myself impulsive, this time I did not hesitate at the opportunity. Consequently, I have surprised myself commanding to patrol my mind in an effort not to complain too much.
THE GOOD THINGS
I did, nonetheless, consider obvious components when I decided to make the moved, in particular weather and of course, cost of living. Some things were negotiable, and some others I didn’t reflect on.
If I embark in the adventure to make a list of things about Mexico that make me mentally unhinged it would be so unfair, so instead, I’d like to make an inventory of good things that I’ve encountered since my arrival.
So the list goes:
1.- Nice weather
2.- Friendly people
3.- Access to nature
4.-Tasty food
5.- Free time
PUNTA BANDA
There’s a Spanish saying: En el mar, la vida es mas sabrosa, which it loosely translates to “by the sea, life is more enjoyable”, and I happen to agree with that, however, life is life, and things, whether we live by the ocean or not, are not always better based on location.
To endure the struggles we all have to go through in life, every human ought to experience one of the components from the list, regularly. We don’t live in a perfect world, therefore, if our lives lack one of the elements, we are force to be creative if we want to survive.
At first glance, Punta Banda seems much the same as any other place, but then, almost imperceptibly, the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean and the ever green of the mountain side merge as one, making Punta Banda area a place without fault. An almost perfect place for me to live, located just 30 minuets south of Ensenada.
INTERESTING DYNAMIC
It is full of potential, with a promise to its inhabitants that if you pay attention to the surroundings and get involved, it will, irremediably, reward you with a happy and fulfill life. Punta Banda area is a magical place that has the ability, in time, to make people, of all walks of life, fall in love with it.
Because of the proximity to the US, and thanks also, to the phenomenon we called Globalization, there’s an interesting dynamic taking place in a highly systematic way, and it has the potential, in a long term, of being terribly bad, because, after all, in the expansion of various global cultural activities, there will always be a loser.
Changes always demand some kind of compromise, in that case, I have to make the best out of any situation, and because life is so unfair, I also have to remind myself to be content, then I have to remember that contentment isn’t a sign of low self esteem, or some terrifying sign of weakness. On the contrary, it takes a great amount of courage to accept reality.
UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY
Living in Mexico after being in California for so long, has forced me to admit different ways people live, none better that the other, of course, just rather peculiar. The whole truth is, so far, living in Punta Banda feels very similar to going camping.
By all means, I am magnifying the description of Mexico for effect purposes, but, coming back to the country where I was born and raised, connecting to my roots, the language, the culture, I am suddenly in an unfamiliar territory, and it has required strenuous effort of my part.
But at the same time, Mexico by the sea is truly a unique place, freedom and security combine, makes a promise of a lifetime, although, there is no place that guarantees longevity, the ocean and the mountains do give me a sense of peace, a peaceful silence that embraces me.
VERSE TO THE UNIVERSE
At night, I’d go outside to contemplate the sky, it seems to me, that the stars are brighter and more numerous here. Every night, moon and stars, make an invitation to a silence dialogue. Mexico is like no other, a place where I may well, write a verse to the universe and feel I can touch the stars. Are stars more prominent in this side of the world? I wonder.
I wrote this piece of music wishing for a bright future, a life full of excitement, and of course, for the possibility of a long, healthy life in my new old home. If you are listening to the music, I’d like you to go outside tonight, look under the sky, take a moment and examine the millions of stars, enjoy the greatest show the celestial bodies display every night just for you. Don’t miss it!
Thanks for reading