ZAGREB THOUGHTS 4-16-10
It is odd how technology is affecting my way of thinking. On the road, preparing to do shows in Croatia, I find myself attempting to figure out how to describe my experiences in 45 letter/2-sentence phrases – because, as we all know, you can only put that much on Twitter or Facebook status.
I’m staying in a three-bedroom apartment rental in Zagreb.… On one hand, life in former Yugoslavia is far from the War. It is sort of embarrassing and ignorant when people ask me “Is it safe?” “Isn’t there a war over there?” The war has long been over, and people here are just like you and me, working hard, drinking after work to DJ’s, and raising kids. They go to concerts, they get pulled over by the cops for speeding, they read gossip rags, etc. However, the War was less than 20 years ago, and the Cities carry the memory of loss in them. Staying here, in a modern apartment with its crisp black and white décor, it interests me that the souls of refugees linger. And such is being on the road.
I just figured out how to use the touch-screen electric stove to heat water and poured the simmering water over instant coffee I bought in Beijing. This is how explorers carried traces of their discoveries with them along their trails. I am an explorer in my own way, and I just brought my instant coffee hand delivered from China, into the Croatian hotel.
Yesterday, in the tiny airport of Zagreb, I saw several African men standing together with….musical instruments! I’ve come through this airport almost 20 times over the past 3 years, and usually I am the only person of color in sight. Automatically, I begin to smile and then can’t help myself. “What do you guys play?” (Honestly, I’m not sure they even speak English.) One guy comes close and says “What?” “What do you play,” I say again (slowly this time)? “We play music, we have a show, tomorrow, at Aquarius.” I’ve been to Aquarius a few times and it’s a great spot for live shows. I’m sold, and it will be one of my days off. “What’s the name of your band?” “Femi Kuti.” FEMI KUTI, as in Fela’s son; As in, one of the best shows you’ll ever see live and I am so happy and excited! I’m going to go enjoy Nigerian freedom music in a club in Zagreb tonight. These are the joys of being an explorer.