Another Night, With Mariachis

Last night we went again to the Parian. As we entered, the musicians sitting in the portal looked askance at me. I'm not sure if they were giving me the once-over as a freak or as a friend, but I tried not to let it get to me. I had elected to leave the violin home, because I didn't want make assumptions about my welcome in the music scene. I had done what I came to do, and if the opportunity presented itself, we are just a block away, so it would be easy to dash home and get my instrument. Besides, rain was threatening.

This time we went back to the corner where we had ended up the second night: El Salon Monterrey. This is a better spot with better service, a nice clean restroom and they give peanuts! We ordered a cazuela for each of us. This is a large clay bowl full of ice and the juice of limes and grapefruits, and there is probably some sugar in there. The fruits are in there as well. The waiter puts the bowl in front of you and fills from a bottle a shot glass with tequila. And I mean, FILLS it! 2 1/2 ounces is what it says on the menu. You pour the shot over the bowl of fruit and juice and then sip slowly. One of these babies lasts a good while, and is an economical drink that is tasty and refreshing. Kids get it without the tequila.

Pretty soon, the mariachis from the first night, Los Aguilas, showed up and played a couple songs for the large group at a table next to us. They greeted us warmly as they recognized us from before, and asked where my violin was. Wouldn't you know it! I told them I left it home, but they played for us La Binkina, one of my new favorite songs. Then they wanted me to play one of their violins, so I did and we did Son de La Negra. People gathered around, and the adjacent tables shouted "otra!otra!" as they had on the other occasion! I declined to play another, as the group had done three for us (we also heard Tequila con Limon a song Raul had said we would hear for sure on the Tequila train, but hadn't) so we paid up and they split. The first old violinist we had talked to on the very first day hung back for a few minutes and wanted to chat. We talked around the idea of me bringing my violin today, early, to play with them before it gets busy. So that's what we will do.

This picture is of the place where Mariachis hang up their instruments when they are on a break.