It’s Summer… Mento Buru heats up the park
“Where did this heat come from?” I asked
NL yesterday on the way to the new Riverwalk park to hear
Mento Buru.
“Summer’s here!” He exclaimed.
“Just all of a sudden… it’s Summer!” I bemoaned.
“Yeah, this is Bakersfield.” He reminded.
“I’m not ready for Bakersfield heat!” I exclaimed.
“You better put some sunscreen on.” He admonished looking at my fair skin.
“Hello SPF 50!” I said out loud as I smeared my Summer companion all over my white winter skin.
“I’ve been looking forward to being outside and hearing Mento Buru all weekend!” He exclaimed as we arrived at the park.
“It’s soooo HOT!” I whined as we walked over to the new grand amphitheatre.
“It’s not even hot yet.” He informed me, referring to triple digit Bakersfield Summer heat we’ve yet to experience this year.
“I know!
Sigh…” I lamented.
We sat in the new grand amphitheatre eating Baja Fresh delights baking in the premature Summer heat while a band finished their set.
“What band is this?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” He said.
We walked over grassy hills by decorative water holes that the Bakersfield public had turned into swimming holes over to the back of the amphitheatre to say hello to
Matt Munoz, the Ska King of Mento Buru.
“It’s cooler over here! There’s shade and a breeze.” He said.
“Yeah it is... I was having a heat stroke sitting in the amphitheatre. They should have put up some kind of shade umbrellas or something.” I replied.
“I should have worn a hat!” He said.
We lingered in the shade until Mento Buru was ready to perform then made our way back to the grassy sitting area of the amphitheatre where Chingpea joined us as the Ska King turned up the heat a few degrees.
I took off my sandals and felt the grass beneath my bare feet, a soothing if not cooling affect. Women and children got up and danced as Mento Buru did what they do best. I got lost in the music watching a metrosexual Latin couple dance. They looked as if they had been born dancing together and I found their style and movement to the music comforting in the sweltering heat. Mento Buru slowed down for an ardent moment and performed a love song, which Matt Munoz sang in Spanish and English confirming my belief that love songs are more beautiful in Spanish. Afterwards Mento Buru heated the crowd back up into a blistering frenzy of dancing joyful feel good Latin Ska music that had one carefree woman pouring water down her heated body to cool off.
“Let’s find something cool to drink.” Chingpea stated as the crowd cheered for an encore to no avail.
We drank Hawaiian shaved ice drinks with a spoon while exploring the park and watching children play on slides.
“Are they supposed to be swimming in there?” Chingpea asked referring to a decorative water hole that the Bakersfield public had turned into a swimming hole.
“I don’t think so. There would be lifeguards for liability reasons if it was meant for swimming. I think it was meant to be decorative like a golf course.” I explained.
“This is Bakersfield, people flock to water!” NL exclaimed.
“There’s no shade in this park!” I bemoaned.
“There will be in 10 years.” Chingpea said referring to the new trees that had been planted throughout the park.
“This park would be nice to have a BBQ at in the evening.” NL remarked towards the BBQ pits.
“Yeah, it wouldn’t be as hot in the evening.” I replied shoveling cherry flavored ice into my mouth.
“You guys ready to go?” Chingpea asked.
“I’m ready for a cool shower.” I said wiping sweat from my brow.
“I can’t believe it’s Summer already!” I exclaimed.
My Photos...
Daniel and I stopped by the park Saturday to check it out. I wanted to see it and the Artisans selling stuff. I said a lot of the same things you did - swimming, shade, HOT!
Can't believe it was just five days ago that I had an extra blanket on our bed.
Thanks for coming out!
Yes, it was H-O-T. I literally have a 3/4 sunburn on my face, while the rest of my body is still a pale ale...hehe..
Yes, let's get together soon!
MmM
Speaking of hot, I hear Matilda Kay's got severl pieces being published in Met 2006--some lonely girl poems and something strange aobut a crow at a window...
that day was HOT!!! but fun... mento buru just knows how to entertain! you gotta love that ska king! :)
I think the park should have been given a Euro flavor, with a riveresque beach scene, and a cafe built right into the center of the park... of course all the lovely sunbathers would be nude... except for Kenny Mount of the Filthies, who would also be allowed his suspenders, his hat, and a long cigarette so he can feel posh and debonaire...