El Hombre Araña

[Guest]

And another thing that I noticed while back in the UK was the recent chart sucesses by Latin pop stars Shakiri and Enrique Iglesias. It's good to see modern latino beats hit the UK dance floors (much better than all that soul less techno crap). These latino stars are huge: in the world-wide market Enrique is outselling Robbie Williams 4 albums to 1. Along with Estopa (a Spanish hip Salsa group), Cheyanne (Mexico's equivalent to Ricky Martin) and La Ley (Chilean super group) these stars currently dominate the Peruvian pop music scene. Perú has some minor pop celebrities (such as Gian Marco) but draws heavily from her latin neighbours to create a modern pop culture.

 

In fact on a reverse to the musical trend in the UK, up and down the coast either side of Lima, several new super discos have opened this year discovering the techno music which has passed through Europe. DJs such as Carl Cox have been out to host different events.

 

But regardless of the styles of music played here, my attempts at dancing, or feeling the music as they say here, always fail miserably. Whatever style I try to adapt to, I always end up dancing the same, as if I have one of my hands in an electric socket. Can't say it's not fun though. The alcohol eases the embarrassment.

 

Of course Enrique Iglesias sang Hero, the theme song for the film El Hombre Araña (Spiderman) which hit screens here last month and created Spiderman-mania. There are huge Spiderman hoardings all over, and KFC are running Spidey promotions. Saw the movie last week; very, very good, and surprisingly superior to the generally over-bloated Star Wars film.

 

Spidey is now competing with World Cup mania here. Perú's Andina TV channel are showing each game live, and like last night (Argentina-Nigeria, Paraguay-South Africa, England-Sweden, Spain-Slovenia) it was one immediently after the other.

 

I watched the England game with REM, a Scottish colleague, so named because he can often be found in Lima's Corner bar (" I'm in the Corner....I'm in the spot..light losing my religion").

 

Initially the Peruvian commentators said that England should win, as they were playing a Swedish team with many players, who would at most, only make a mid-table English Premier first team. When Sweden equalised, started pressing for the lead and easily containing England's strikers, the Peruvians basically said Heskey was crap (proving that the earlier and hilarious comments by Slartibarfast about 'wonder why' Heskey were well foundered), and Fowler must be so frustrated at being kept on the bench. When Owen had his first shot (I think, mid second half) the commentator announced, "So Michael Owen is present in the team".

 

Indeed. What of England's midfield service to Owen? And when the only English wings to set on fire today was the west one in Buck. House, how can we ignite our wing play?

 

Still, Campbell was excellent today, and Beckham sprayed a few decent passes on his return. Overall, disappointing, but just enough hope for at least a draw against the Argies on Friday.

 

If you've made it this far, well done, but I want my monies worth out of the Internet Café tonight. So I will end by clarifying that in Perú there are 4 girls born for every boy, and in the jungle, it's as high as 6 girls born for every boy. And yes, there are weather-beaten looking women who wear funny hats and smoke cigars, but they live in that place beginning with C. No, not Canvey (although they might live there too), my dears, but Cusco, deep in the south of this llama land. No, it's in the north of the country, the jungle city of Iquitos, where one will want to go, to find the very hot and beautiful jungle girls. Guys here go to Iquitos under the pretext of a weekend fishing season, but we really know what they go fishing for. And it ain't piranha.

 

Until next time then, take care Fleet fans.

[Guest]

Hi Inca Mark

 

Just thought I'd let you know how interesting I find your postings from Peru. Can draw comparisons with things here in darkest Calderdale. Cusco sounds similar to Luddenden Foot a very remote area. The males from there travel miles each week end to enjoy the delights that Halifax has to offer!! Every Friday and Saturday night you can find them sleeping out in the open. I here that white vehicles with no windows and strange markings go around collecting them before dawn. It must be true cos when I go to work on Monday there's no sign of them. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />