Monday, November 16, 2009

El Hombre de la Guitarra

The drive up to the Matagalpa region is just so beautiful. Especially just after the raining season with all the vegetation lush and green and the rain is still washing off all the dust. I was in awe the whole way there and back.

Plans had changed but Alma I still managed to find our way up there and do some different things. One man that we met with was Don Gregorio (aka Guitar Man). He doesn't just play guitars, he makes them. A year ago when Kevin and I were here I wanted to bring Kevin to this man as a surprise so that he could design his own guitar, but things didn't work out. This time I knew we were heading up that way anyway so I wanted to for sure meet up with this guy again and see what kind of beautiful guitar he could create. The whole guitar is created from specific materials, to which I chose certain colours, and as a finishing touch he paints a design on the face of the guitar.

Well, I want to make sure you have the right picture in your head of this man. He was a quiet and gentle man and came across as quite content. But doesn't he just look like a guitar man?!

When we showed up all these boys were running around and chattering away with excitement to see the gringita. I don't like being so obvious, but there is nothing I can do about my size or my colour so I try to make the most of it and have fun with the kids. When Alma and I walked into the Guitar Man's house/workshop the kids piled in after us and watched and giggled. Whenever I spoke the kids giggled and called out things. Alma asked the Guitar Man if he could play us some music so the kids were laughing more and started bugging each other. And then I hauled out the camera because I couldn't miss an opportunity like this. Kevin had to at least "meet" the Guitar Man who is creating the masterpiece. All these kids are Don Gregorio's grandsons...what beautiful faces!

I'm not sure if the guitar will be completed in time for my return this time around, but for sure the next time I will return home armed with a guitar for Kevin.

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