Tenerife, Spain
So How Was It?
If it wasn’t for the procession in the downtown of Tenerife, in honouring, once again, the Chariot Festival, I would have not got any walking in today.
So, how was that, anyways? The festival?
Just great!!!
The thump of the djembe saved the kirtan. The traditional clay bodied mrdangas (drums) of Bengal don’t always have the power to deliver when the air in the atmosphere’s just not right. Humidity works against the desired sound you want. The ends on either side of the mrdanga gets too slack. For the quieter bhajans done indoor, mrdangas are terrific, but I haven’t seen them work well for most cases for outdoor events. Yadunandana Swami lead the chant. Then I was given the mic to complete singing on the route in a rather densely pedestrianed area. If I’m not mistaken, the rich come here, mostly from the mainland. Though, we’ve heard that the recession has hit Spain really hard, and that the country has this high unemployment rate, this doesn’t really show in Tenerife.
But, back to the beat. Any Latino blood seems to flow towards a rhythmic thump, and this was so obvious in the public’s response. The public always looks for something new and different. What else could you do besides sitting in a bar or café outside, or checking out a super Flamenco dance? How about watching a bunch of Hare Krishnas jump to a thump? I guess it’s entertaining for the casual tourist. Not only watching us, but clapping and trying to sing is what we found people doing. These are the symptoms that determine a good program.
Our stage show completed by 1 AM. Everyone was tired, happily.
May the Source be with you!
4 KM
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