surreal
here has been the highlight of my evening.
after fantastic massages we headed over to a brazilian bbq restaurant called cantina for dinner. odila was particularly excited because there was a live band playing brazilian music. steph had called earlier and learned the buffet (meat a thon) was offered until 11.30.
we walked in to the restaurant and learned that not only the buffet was closed but that the band had stopped playing several minutes ago. there was a fellow who was so apologetic, he was sorry, but the band was finished for the night, why didn't we come back tomorrow? no, we said, we had plans for tomorrow, but we would still stay for dinner.
we sat down and started drooling and debating over the menu. odila and terri ordered frucka, a brazilian soda. and then the chinese waiter came over and asked us in perfect portuguese if we were ready to order. well! odila was in ecstasies and a brisk conversation ensued. the table next to us looked over and smiled to hear the portuguese pouring from odila's mouth. the waiter turned to the table that was occupied and chatted briefly with one of the fellows there…it was the same fellow who had apologised to us about the band being done for the night.
of course, it turned out that he was the band. odila requested very politely that he play JUST ONE SONG. he said to us…YOU NEED tO ASK ME NICELY…and she said, please goodlooking, play us a song! and we started clapping and screaming as good canadian and american girls do.
so this is how it happened that we sat listening to brazilian music and eating brazilian food in shanghai. the lead singer was newton, he is a paulista and she is a carioca (from rio). it all had a slightly surreal feeling to it.
i need to go, bed beckons, but it was a magical evening. i have not described this experience well. but i will remember it always.
