What Takes You Home?

As many of you know, I am one proud Tejana! When I hear Tejano music, I go home. That's all it takes - the sounds of the accordion, the beat of the drums, the chimes of the saxophone - okay, I know saxophone don't chime but they sound so beautiful! This makes me feel @ home. I grew up hearing Tejano music, and it's something that is embedded in my veins because it's my "sangre" (blood).

My best friend since Kindergarten, linked me to this Tejano
website, and I've been jamming to it so much lately.

Memories come back...good memories! I remember Fiesta in San Antonio, lost nights in the market square, ending up at a carnival, or the time I developed pictures of STRANGERS because my boy got too happy with that camera; he still has that habit.

Another more recent memory was early January of 2006, strolling around the market square holding onto the ex's left hand and admiring Frida Kahlo paintings. I was like a kid in the candy store, going crazy and wanting everything. Apparently, he saw my eager face and knew I wanted one so there we go, walking off with a Frida Kahlo painting wrapped carefully in paper so it wouldn't get ruined. "Two Fridas" - my favorite painting of hers. And, let's not forget the big content smile on my face! I wake up every morning and see that painting; it's a beautiful sight in the morning.


When I hear Tejano music, I also think of the bailes on Saturday nights @ the K.C. Hall, learning how to "cumbia" and never learning how to dance polkas or rancheras because I always wanted to lead and dance my own free way. The ex was teaching me before we broke up... When I hear those soft romantic songs, I remember when he held me, and I finally got to slow-dance with a man. Yeah, 21 years old and never slow-danced with a man until that great time in January, and it only lasted a couple of minutes but the rhythm we had in each slide of our feet was truly magical - just like the whole entire relationship. Full of magic. :)

Okay, just realized something - two paragraphs about the ex - I need to let go! What else does Tejano music remind me of? Cruizes through town with one of my other best friends; his finger gently moving the dial till Ramon Ayala sang louder.

I could go on and on about Tejano music and identity like a previous post, but what makes you feel at home? Is it music or a certain food? A certain movie? A certain article of clothing?