Congas, Tunas, Baseball, and Ribbons

This weekend was marked by a few late nights and a spontaneous Olympic event. Saturday night was Chirona's last night before returning to the States. A dozen of us met at Luga's for some mexican and started the night with pitchers of mojito and margarita. The next logical stop was the rooftop bar of Kokomo. It's quickly becoming my favorite place in Sanlitun, not least of all due to the spanish flare and live music. We staked out some couches near the band and settled into some delicious sangria. At some point, I was coerced into approaching the Cuban drummer and introducing myself. In spanish, i convinced him that i actually was a drummer and he let me play the first few songs of the next set on congas. Denise caught it and posted it for your viewing pleasure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmYwoT-4CNM

Later that night, Chirona, Denise, Jeff, Matt, Tao and myself ended up at a streetside bar. We ordered a few expensive beers and a hookah to pass the time. That's when I noticed the Tunas. I became familiar with these guys while living in Spain. They are similar to Mariachi bands, which are Mexican. They basically travel around and serenade, well, just about anyone. Tunas are different in that they are usually initiated in college and travel frequently with nothing but their instruments to make a living. I chatted these guys up for a few minutes and convinced them to play a song. Logically, they asked if it was for a girl. Instinctively, I said yes. Questioning, they asked if it was my girlfriend. Truthfully, I answered no. Countering, they said, "but you like her?". Enthusiastically, I answered yes.

So from that, they came up with the name of this song, which they played for Denise. She's the amused one on the left; I'm the bashful one on the right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_pVxpbEJMA

Sunday after frisbee, Tao and I got some last minute tickets to Baseball from Sandy. It was a make-up game between China and Korea that would start in the 5th inning. When we arrived in the 8th, the game was scoreless. It wouldn't be until the 10th inning when Korea scored and ended it. Granted, it probably would have gone on much longer had they not been playing international extra-inning rules: each team starts with a runner on 1st and 2nd and no outs. A bunt and a sacrifice fly later and you've got a score. I'm not a baseball fan. At all. But Tao is, and he was entertaining. Also: the beer is cheaper in the venue than at a bar.

After the game, we happened upon a flock of ladies playing with ribbons. We were intending to find a park to throw a frisbee, but we got hung up here. Curious, we were soon all given turns.

My first try:

A quick lesson...

Getting better...

This lady showing off...

Me completely wrecking her groove...

Me being attacked by ribbons...

Poor Tao...

His are ribbon skills only a mother could love.

~Kev