Yesterday, I arrived safely in Paris at approximately 10am. I landed with a spirit of gratefulness for a safe journey. My flight was delayed due to engine problems. Although, I love to travel, and I'm not really freaked out by flying, there is always that small window of vulnerability knowing that you are suspended thousands of feet in the air and you safety are in the hands of a pilot that you don't even know.
I was a little anxious upon my arrival. This is the first time that I have traveled to a foreign country alone. Usually, I am on vacation with family or working. This time I was meeting up with Seun Kuti + Egypt 80's European tour. The only thing is that I arrived before they did. Luckily I was able to link up with my Parisian friend Malika who gave me directions to meet her at a train stop near the Eiffel Tower. So there I was, with my heavy nap sack filled with camera equipment, and my suitcase taking the cost effective way into paris from the airport, RER, Paris by train. I must say that I was quite surprised at how filthy the train was from the airport to Chet____. It was quite adventurous navigating the train system as I had to take 3 trains and ask for directions with the very, very little french that I know. For some reason spanish words came to mind. Many say that the french will not be pleased if you don't at least attempt to speak it when you are foreign to their country. I didn't want to come from the pompous American attitude that everyone around the world is expected to speak English - so I tried to speak the little french that I know. I found that some people did understand and speak English and the kindly helped me with directions. I also sensed an appreciation at my attempts to speak their language.
After, traveling on trains empty and crowded with what appeared to be a very diverse group of city travelers I found my self astonished by the beauty of Paris. I walked out of the train station at--- and sighed graciously. To the left of me I saw small cars driving towards me with the buildings textured like a work of art in the back drop. To the right of me my eyes rested peacefully on the Eiffel Tower as it was surrounded by greenery from my point of view. Shortly after Malika met me and we traveled to the Hippodrome de Longchamp. Seun was scheduled to open on one of several stages set up for Paris' hugest festival, Solidays: Festival of Love. Seun's performance would take place on the main stage in about 4 hours after my arrival.
It was nice to reunite with the band. I first met them in Lagos last summer. I completely fell in love with them as I visited a rehearsal at Kalakuta. The music coming out of those instruments instantly reminded me that those rhythmic vibrations were indeed spiritual. The overwhelming feeling of those rhythms vibrating throughout my body along with the strong sense of passion resonated in the fingers as they stroke their instruments, was simply inspiring.
I was able to revisit that same feeling at sound check. The fact that this band is comprised musicians who take their craft very serious is without question.
Interestingly enough I asked some of the audience members if they were familiar with Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, many people were not. These people were there to see the headliner, a totally different kind of group. However, when Seun and his band performed there were seas of dancing bodies moving with the rhythms. The audience loved the performance. After the show I interviewed some of the same audience members and they were blown away.
It was quite amazing to see so many people moved by music that they've never heard in their life and possibly didn't really understand the words. Occasionally, Seun gave meaning to his chorus and invited the audience to sing along. This was a true testament to the notion that music is indeed a universal language. Even if you cannot understand the words - you can surely feel the vibrations...
My mind cannot even imagine what Italy will be like...
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless handheld.
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