Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Sightseeing

As we mentioned in our last blog, Guanajuato is a city rich in history.  Yesterday, we visited the Casa de las Leyendas (House of the Legends), where you walk through tunnels and view "puppet shows" depicting the legends of the city.  Most of the tales were a little like ghost stories...death, murders, etc...where some of the victims are known to still haunt the city.

After that, we drove to the Museo Exhacienda San Gabriel de Barrera (pictured), which used to be the home of a Spanish mine owner.  You could tell he was a mine owner by the amount of gold that decorated the home!  The hacienda was beautifully furnished...some of the pieces were very ornate and of course gilded in gold.  There were also many paintings and portraits of the family hanging in the various rooms.  What impressed us most were the gardens.   There were many different landscapes, each appealing in its own way.  If you'd like more information go to: http://www.guanajuatocapital.com/espanol/Tbarrera.htm.  We will have more pictures on our site soon!  

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Llegamos en Guanajuato (We arrive in Guanajuato)

For all you who speak Mexican/Spanish, if the subject line is incorrect please forgive us!  Just walking through the town, and seeing the old Mexican architecture, smelling the delicious food from the street vendors, enjoying the mariachi, and listening to the passersby talking with each other just makes us want to speak along with them!  But of course other than "enchilada," "quesadilla," or "tostada," we're pretty lost!

We arrived at the tiny airport in Guanajuato (think Molokai) and the plane actually had to make a u-turn because the runway was that short.

While driving from the airport, we could see a statue of Christ off in the distance on the top of a mountain.  Our lovely promoter/host Erika Visoso told us that that statue's location was the exact center of Mexico.  We thought that was pretty cool.

Guanajuato is a very historical city.  Very picturesque...beautiful architecture...heavy Spanish/European influence.  Walking along the streets you can just feel the history and spirit of this richly romantic town.

The concert will be held at the Teatro Juarez in Guanajuato, on Saturday.  Tickets are still available.  Check our website at makahasons.com for details.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Palm Springs



A big mahalo goes out to Kumu Kekoa Yap and Halau Hula O Wailehua for putting on a wonderful concert this past Saturday!  From what we understand, this was the first Hawaiian concert in Palm Springs since Don Ho came here in the 60's!  If the show was any indication of the interest in Hawaiian music over here, we will probably return in 2009.  

The concert was standing room only (literally...the volunteers kept trying to steal the Sons' chairs because so many people kept pouring in) and started with the group Mehana and the sweet vocals of Aunty Geri Kuhia.  Then the conch shell was blown and Kumu Kekoa entered the room, chanting, as kumu hula Nani Aiu-Quezada, Ululani Cortez and Mahiehie Arana waited for him onstage.  The dancers of Halau Hula O Wailehua, Hula Halau Ka Lehua Uluwehi I Ka Lani, and Halau Hula Moani'a'ala Anuhea danced the traditional hula kahiko, dressed in colorful Hawaiian print costumes.  Faaabulous mistress of ceremonies Alaka'i Paleka gave the Sons a rousing intro and the room went silent as the crowd was mesmerized by the Sons' beautiful harmonies and the enchanting Kealo Koko on "Hawaiian Lullabye."  Hula fans were treated to many beautiful dance numbers, including the showstopping "Waikoloa," which originally was Keoni Nunez' solo number.  Kumu Kekoa joined him onstage, and then Uncle Moon surprised everyone by taking off his guitar and joining his hula brothers on the ha'ina.  Everyone started shouting "hana hou!" so the three chose "Lumaha'i" as their second number.  As another surprise, Aunty Sunbeam Beamer sang the haunting "Ho'onanea" as Aunty Loke Halemanu shared her hula.  Everyone enjoyed every second until the finale..."Hawaii Aloha."

We were happy to see a bunch of our friends from LA...Linda Wilkes, Ruth & Jim Edens, Robin & Geoff Goss...and our San Diego promoter Tula Striffler and Genie Montoya.  It was like a big reunion! 

Palm Springs is an awesome place to visit.  There are lots of trendy shops downtown, casinos, a big outlet mall, beautiful resorts, etc.  We'll post photos soon!  RJ got some great photos of downtown Palm Springs and the tram ride.

Mahalo again to everyone involved in the concert, for your hospitality and aloha, but mostly for keeping the spirit of Hawaii and the culture alive in Palm Springs!