Alternate Vision

Rummaging through my former utexas email address which I've stopped using but periodically look through.....for stuff like this


Maybe its a sign....a visit is in order.

Downtown Pittsburgh doesn't normally brim with activity after sunset. This weekend though the scene was much different. Friday night, we hit up the Pittsburgh Gallery crawl. Everything from mobile sculpture vehicles, thematic photo exhibits to documentary videos on what have you. Generous amounts of cocktails were consumed as we strolled from gallery to gallery. Ended up at the future tenant after which we proceeded to my new favorite local bar - Olive or Twist. Specialty martinis (everything you can think of except a mexican martini). To date, I have yet to find a mexican martini outside Austin, leave alone the elixir that Trudy's serves. Good times were had nonetheless.

Spring like weather all weekend long. Mostly in the high 40s and low 50s. I managed to squeeze in an extra long run in there. Friday afternoon Vanessa and I checked out this awesome vegetarian restaurant by the river that serves up some awesome organic, home-made food and killer deserts. They have the largest tea menu I have ever seen. Watched Zinda last night. Decent I thought, though I know some would argue that this is a substandard remake of Old Boy. Oh andI gots me a new toy.

Pittsburgh is one of those cities where there ain't much else to be excited about apart from football. But whatbetter a time to be a Pittsburgher.

The city is going nuts!

I once met this solitary wanderer near Kizkalesi (south east Turkey) who told me a fascinating tale of supreme bravardo as we waited at the bus stop for our respective buses - his journey to end a one year long trek around Africa at an obscure dessert oasis, a half a day's drive beyond Timbuktu in Mali. To my dissapointment, our meeting was shortlived as we boarded different buses bound in opposite directions. But, his few words will forever resonate with me - "this is the remotest music festival in the world."

Each year in January, Essakane, Mali plays host to a three day music festival hosted by the Tuareg, the traditionally nomadic "blue men of the Sahara." Historically, the Tuareg are a tribe often feared for their banditry and respected for the fact that they have never been conquered. Festivals are an integral part of their tradition. The "Festival au Desert" is a modern version of this age old tradition which brings musicians from the across the continent and world today.

In a country plagued by abject poverty (per capita GDP is $900), this festival works wonders to boost the local morale, nurture the otherwise decrepit tourist industry and most importantly silence those who question the feasibility of the Tuareg nomadic culture in the 21st century. (BBC)

Then there's the exotic line up of artists. Amongst the whole range of artists who grace the festival each year, the Tinariwen stand out in a league of their own. "Having met at a rebel training camp in Libya, the Tuareg-rockers traded in their guns for guitars to play mesmerizing songs of resistance---cries for sovereignty for the Tuareg people." Founded in 1992, they act as cultural ambassadors of this displaced diaspora in exile.

Any recount of a journey to this festival will leave you mesmerized and inspired to experience it first hand. I know not when this will happen, but I will certainly make it to the festival one day. Inshallah!