Drum Circle

The weather is warmer. This brings about all sorts of changes to the city, such as greener colors, sunglasses, ice cream stands, and allows for more frequent public events like the nude protest against the killing of Canadian seals, in which about 250 people participated. I was several metro stops away, and unfortunately I missed out, and in fact was totally oblivious of the event until I saw two red people-- the protestors painted themselves in light red paint-- relaxing in Retiro Park. Everyone needs a break, I suppose, and it's true that in Madrid it doesn't get much better than Retiro on a Sunday afternoon.

The park was so packed that it was difficult to walk, and just about every free green space was occupied by a person taking a nap, or playing an instrument, or juggling, or eating, or drinking, or playing drums. The drummers, however, all congregate in one location, which from about 4 to 11pm beats incessantly. They come and go, playing in groups from 3 to twenty or so, but the music never stops. It is the ultimate drum circle, truly world beat, with drummers from nearly every corner of the world.

It's an amazing sight and about as un-Midwestern as could possibly exist, an all day long free party that today has me thinking a little slower and looking forward to next Sunday, the day during which I used to do something that must not have been too important, because whatever it was it has already been forgotten to the sounding of the drums.

That's not entirely true. I used to spend my Sundays at Retiro reading. I even brought my book with me this Sunday as well-- it's bright pink, Spanish, and about pirates-- but it didn't fit in very well with the situation.