In a few days time, on the 18th of Feb 2007, the oriental world would celebrate Chinese New Year. One of the major highlights of this day is the setting off of fireworks. I would miss this year’s fireworks at home, like I’ve missed the fireworks of Christmas and New Year’s. But I’ve already seen my share of fireworks here in Buenos Aires.
The argentines are of a different culture. A big kiss and a hug on the first meeting; Setting up big plans for future traveling on the second meeting. They can become your best friends instantly. But often, one is left wondering what happened when many of these promises are left unfulfilled. Like fireworks, the argentines are spectacularly friendly; even though only for a moment.
But throughout my time here I met some really sincere argentines. Bichy, a very good young tango dancer that dance like Javier, is one of them.
Christmas season 2006, I was standing outside Salon Canning. Bichy was smoking with his good friend Color (short for Colorada; which means redhead; the argentine men like to call their women by the color of their hair. ‘Venis morocha!’ Or ‘Chau rubia!’). Bichy was asking me what I am doing for Christmas Eve. “Nothing,” I said, “I’ll be staying in my hostel alone.” Bichy and Color looked at me horrified. “Nadie queda solo durante Navidad!” (“Nobody spends Christmas Eve alone.”) exclaimed Color. The very cute and animated Color then went on and on with numerous gestures to explain why no one should be alone during Christmas. “Everyone will go to their little homes with their granny, grandpa, uncles…”
Bichy patted on my shoulder and said, “Come with me to my home in Mataderos (a barrio in Buenos Aires), let’s celebrate Christmas Eve together with my family.” At that point of time I didn’t feel like intruding on a very private family affair. Also I thought it was just another off the cuff ‘argentine’ invitation.
There is a Chinese saying “Yi xiao ren zi xin, du jun zi zi fu”; to guess the intentions of a gentleman using the intentions of an ungentleman. To my shame, on that occasion I made that mistake. Bichy’s invitation turned out to be really very sincere. On Christmas Eve itself, he called my hostel and asked me to go. But I missed his call as I was out with my friends. A few days later I met him in ‘Cachirulo’ (Maipu 444) milonga and once again he invited me to go to his home and celebrate New Year’s Eve with his family. I was very touched by his sincerity towards this stranger. This time, I accepted without hesitation.
So on New Year’s Eve, Bichy, Color and me went over to his house in Mataderos. There we had a big argentine barbeque (asado) dinner. His mom, granny, great granny, uncles, aunties, sister, the whole extended family was there.
As I was eating, observing them, I realized this was exactly like the big reunion dinner we have every Chinese New Year Eve. Just that, instead of gathering around the television after the dinner like us Singaporeans. They cleared up the dinner table, put on some Cumbia music and started to dance. This is another very argentine culture. In fact, very latino; music and dance. They cannot live without these two. Milna, Bichy’s sister taught me how to Cumbia. And they made me cumbia and tango with Bichy’s grandma! While they all cheered at the sides! Bichy’s grandma was such a hoot! She was laughing all the way during the dance. I think never in her life she would have expected to tango with a chinito (little Chinese). Later Bichy’s mom came up to me and said, “You are very lucky, you have danced with a great milonguera.”
On the stroke of midnight, the sky roared. We all went out to the balcony. And there I saw, the skies lit up with fireworks. People streamed to the streets. From all the corners of Buenos Aires, from the streets, from the balconies of houses, fireworks exploded into the sky, green red blue and golden. It was quite a sight.
Fuegos articifiales, artificial fires, filled the sky. But there is nothing artificial about the warmth and passion from Bichy’s family, which filled my heart that night.
Kor Kor! My Hotmail is down for some reason.. Happy Lunar New Year! The Zodiac thingy says that in the year of the pig, the monkey will be very busy social and money wise becoz this is a year for socialising and making money.. what kind of crap is that??!! I already know you are good at socialising and money seems to be attracted to you anyway.
So this is a good year eh?!! Come back in April and you can tell me all about your fantastic adventures!!
I spent valentines wid a bunch of gays, it was really fun because the tables surrounding us was wondering why people at my table was kissing and hugging each other and why the guys are stroking the bouquet of flowers I got from my boss. Really happy people those.
QY and I are heading towards Langkawi for ironman competition.. I shall be lonely becoz they are all ironman and I am more like marshmallow. Will try to take a leaf from your book and make friends. I know if you are with us it will be crazy.
miss ya lotsa.
Sista!