We went to both parties - the more posh one in "Club Ancash" in Jesus Maria, and the earthier one in Arpa, about 45 minutes north. I had gleaned from Neli and others' description that Club Ancash would be boring or somber, with lots of older people in suits and ties afraid to let loose. But when we got there the band was playing, people were dancing, the beer was flowing.
Still, it felt confining, being in an indoor place....Cynthia came with us! Important for the film, she was crossing over into Neli's world. Seeing her dance huayno in both places, you could see the difference. She technically knows the step but there's something different, it doesn't really flow, which she can describe better than I can. Unfortunately I don't have any still photos of Cynthia, damn yo, as she would say, I forgot to tell Medalid to take photos of her.
Stayed there an hour to videotape; Then grabbed a taxi, we headed up to Arpa, and that was another world, passing through the pueblo jovenes (shantytowns) of Lima via the Pan American highway, arriving at the place, a huge dusty dirt field. At this point I ought to be sharing a lot more about what we saw and felt, but I'll just post a few photos here 'cause frankly I've got too much worries on my mind right now to reflect on this party. Grumpy grumpy...
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