Nayeli's blog

Percy Sledge: Alive in Africa!

Posted Sat, 2006-01-07 17:06 by Nayeli
There is a certain type of bond that forms between strangers who have endured a traumatic incident in each other's company. This incident could be just about anything, providing it puts enough strain on the individuals' nerves. A natural disaster, a sweeping social movement, the untimely loss of a well loved public figure, even the failure of a modern appliance can bring people together in an unlikely fashion. Regardless of their differences in all other aspects of life, an affinity will forever remain between the groups of people who found out together that John Lennon died, found themselves trapped in an elevator during the northeastern poweroutage in the summer of 2003, or attended a recent concert in St. Louis, Senegal given by a man named Percy Sledge.

Senegal: Why Teach?

Posted Sun, 2006-01-01 08:13 by Nayeli
My decision to trek to another continent and commit two months to volunteer teaching was a surprise to nearly everyone, including myself. Being prone to sporadic forays into the unknown, it wasn't the distance but the occupation that was unexpected. Numerous former classmates can attest to the never ending grudge I held against the entire teaching profession during my high school years. I had a habit of creating a living hell for teachers who refused to see my point of view at the end of discussions or failed to give me points on exams when I felt that points were due. You could say I had a little bit of a problem accepting the wrath of authority. I often tried unsuccesfully to make my instructors earn my respect, instead of the other way around.

Paris: Drinking Pink at the Chameleon

Posted Tue, 2005-11-29 05:01 by Nayeli
Sometimes, it is best to leave the see-and-be-seen spots to the tourists and just blend in. In Paris, times such as these call for a visit to the Latin Quarter'’s cheery and charming Chameleon bar. When you tire of donning black and waiting in line to catch an overpriced glimpse of chic stars in sleek outfits, put the color back in your life by spending some time at my favorite hangout in the 5th. Here, as the name implies, you can camouflage yourself in the midst of interesting characters and sit back until you come to understand what they mean by "seeing pink".”

Nice Pirate Ship

Posted Wed, 2005-11-23 11:14 by Nayeli
I never thought I'd get to say the phrase, "Nice pirate ship," to a man wearing a skull and cross bones but last Friday, I did. At the laundromat. Well, sort of. It all began when I saw a poster claiming that Westbound Train and The Toasters were playing together in Paris. To a sane, normal, non-concert addict such a poster would be nothing more than a piece of paper stapled to the door of a pastry shop. But for me, said poster evoked the reaction of a high pitched squeal. Westbound Train AND The Toasters! Together in Paris.

There is No Funk in France

Posted Sun, 2005-11-20 04:47 by Nayeli
I'll be leaving Paris soon, and I'm sad about that, I truly am. In general, this town has been good to me (despite the toll its climate takes on my thin Texan blood) and for the most part my time in Paris has been divine. Save one thing. Though Paris is the infamous resting place for Doors vocalist Jim Morrison, The City of Light has yet to "Light My Fire" for one main reason: I miss my rock n' roll. Along with bagels and peanut butter it seems to me that rock music - good, string-slapping, sing-a-long with the windows down rock n' roll -– is as funny to the French as a basket of Freedom Fries.
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