Sunday in Munaipata
05.31.2004Met Jay & Alison for late breakfast, then headed up towards El Alto, to Alison's field research site in Munaipata (she's an anthropologist). It was the anniversary celebration of the zona, and we joined in first hours of the celebration. Munaipata, btw, is located just above the autopista (the route to the airport) and is somewhat difficult to reach (we walked up).
After brief introductions to the vecinos present (the ones who organized the event), we got to mingling. There was a DJ set up, blasting morenadas, cuecas, and other assorted tunes. The dance floor was a small dirt plateau clearing overlooking the autopista.
As traditional norms dictate, we started drinking cases of beer. Vecinos bring a case or two of one-liter bottles of beer, depending, which are then served to all present. A bottle's opened, and someone goes around w/ two small glasses, pouring drinks to everyone.
The beer drinking is very important. You must accept the beer when offered to you. You pour a bit of beer on the ground first (for pachamama, the earth goddess), then down the beer, before handing the glass back to the server. Eventually, it becomes your turn to go around serving beer. If you're serving, you also drink, since most vecinos will insist you join them in a toast. They drink; you drink.
Meanwhile, we sat around talking w/ Alison's neighbors. Even listened to a congresswoman give a little speech to the residents. Once the music got going, I danced cueca & morenada w/ shy cholitas, taking breaks to drink a glass of beer offered to me.
Eventually, it got quite cold. And we three were a bit tipsy. So we made excuses to leave & head back to Sopocachi. But it was a great time. I've always liked hanging out w/ the "real" people wherever I live. Let's face it: working class people are just more fun & full of life. And that's as true of Munaipata as of Saginaw.
Posted by Miguel at 02:55 PM
Comments
I can agree to that. It's important to just relax, listen to music, pour out a forty to your hommies ... and then dance!
Posted by: Andres at June 1, 2004 07:43 AM
Working people? Are they still called like that? N.
Posted by: Nenad at June 1, 2004 08:04 AM
It seems you had a good time in Muneypata, I bet it'll be an unforgettable experience. Btw, I think it was a good decission to leave early, those parties sometimes get awkward after 25 beer cases. See you tonight at O Mundo, José Mario probably won't make it.
Posted by: Daniel at June 1, 2004 09:13 AM