Venezuelan Vinyl
Greetings from the beautiful country of Venezuela!
At my last entry, I was heading toward the International Rotary Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. What a tremendous event. I went into the convention very curious about what this organization would be doing to attract the next generation of members, and I was not disappointed. As you know, I love having an experience and this event was exactly that. I believe that inter-activity is critical in our new creative economy and there were chances for people to interact with each other at every turn.
There was a large peace wall where guests and participants to leave their own graffiti-style message, a la the Berlin Wall. There was an entire center titled the Building Blocks of Peace. But most importantly, there was an opportunity to meet and interact with community leaders from more than 200 countries.
It was near one of the faux-campfires placed throughout the convention area as part of the western, cowboy theme that I happened upon Domingo, a record shop owner from Venezuela. I was asked by Domingo and his group to snap a photo while they struck a trailside pose.
Upon learning of his vocation, I mentioned to Domingo that I had heard some Venezuelan artists such as the Los Amigos Invisibles and King Chango. This opened the door to a 35 minute lesson in the depth and variety of Venezuelan music.
I could certainly see the passion in his eyes as he spoke of artists and tracks that exist only on vinyl in the boxes on his shops shelves. I saw that I would probably never hear these artists unless I did so on an old RCA turntable in his shop.
So, I just finished the afternoon lost between two headphones listening to some sounds that were tremendously beautiful, and others that kept bringing Sanjia to my mind.
As I considered the interaction that I had with Domingo this afternoon, I thought back to the talk of peace that was a large part of the Rotary convention. The experience that I ad with Domingo may not do much for the relationship of our two countries. It may not make up for harsh words that have been shared with our leaders. However, this does not mean it was in vain.
I think Maya Angelou put it best when she said, “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”
Well said.
Until next time,
M. Benetti
At my last entry, I was heading toward the International Rotary Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. What a tremendous event. I went into the convention very curious about what this organization would be doing to attract the next generation of members, and I was not disappointed. As you know, I love having an experience and this event was exactly that. I believe that inter-activity is critical in our new creative economy and there were chances for people to interact with each other at every turn.
There was a large peace wall where guests and participants to leave their own graffiti-style message, a la the Berlin Wall. There was an entire center titled the Building Blocks of Peace. But most importantly, there was an opportunity to meet and interact with community leaders from more than 200 countries.
It was near one of the faux-campfires placed throughout the convention area as part of the western, cowboy theme that I happened upon Domingo, a record shop owner from Venezuela. I was asked by Domingo and his group to snap a photo while they struck a trailside pose.
Upon learning of his vocation, I mentioned to Domingo that I had heard some Venezuelan artists such as the Los Amigos Invisibles and King Chango. This opened the door to a 35 minute lesson in the depth and variety of Venezuelan music.
I could certainly see the passion in his eyes as he spoke of artists and tracks that exist only on vinyl in the boxes on his shops shelves. I saw that I would probably never hear these artists unless I did so on an old RCA turntable in his shop.
So, I just finished the afternoon lost between two headphones listening to some sounds that were tremendously beautiful, and others that kept bringing Sanjia to my mind.
As I considered the interaction that I had with Domingo this afternoon, I thought back to the talk of peace that was a large part of the Rotary convention. The experience that I ad with Domingo may not do much for the relationship of our two countries. It may not make up for harsh words that have been shared with our leaders. However, this does not mean it was in vain.
I think Maya Angelou put it best when she said, “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”
Well said.
Until next time,
M. Benetti