Eric and I had been traveling for days in Mexico, trying to find dancers to dance with the Peace Belt or shamans to bless it. We had been so close so many times, but bureaucratic red tape or timing would get in the way, and we would lose our opportunity. I, personally, was beginning to feel a little bit stressed out by my responsibility. I finally took the time to reflect however, before I became too crazed, that bringing the Peace Belt with me to Mexico was an honor and not something that should be causing me stress. It was then that Eric and I pulled into the touristy town of Playa del Carmen. We were thirsty, namely for a carbonated yeasty concoction, and we stopped in to an open-air restaurant and night club called The Blue Parrot. It seemed this was the place to be, though we had no idea why. It was nicely decorated, and it was set apart from other similar establishments by the fact that it had a dance floor actually on the beach, but in every other way it was just like any other night club one would come across in a touristy region of México.
While Eric and I were finishing our drinks, the crowd on the dance floor parted. We were interested. Suddenly, a woman wearing a crown of wire with fire at the top and yielding fire poles danced out onto the floor. Other men and women followed her with huge poles with fire at either end. The disco music with the base beat that made me fel a though my head were pounding stopped, and drummers with typical African drums came onto the stage as well. They began playing a very energetic, thrilling rhythm to which the dancers danced with their fire. Eric and I were left somewhat speechless; we had never seen anything like this. The dancers were clearly classically-trained, and yet they were doing this highly-energetic, almost sexual dance with their fire. The men’s poles had so much lighter fluid on them that every time one of them threw one up in the air, the crowd would be showered with lighter fluid.
The following night Eric and I returned with the Peace Belt and spoke with one of the dancers. We found out that the dance troupe consists of dancers from all corners of the world, and that this particular dancer with whom we were speaking was a native of Mexico.
Eric and I showed her the belt and explained to her the mission of Artists for World Peace. She was immediately excited about the prospect of dancing with the belt. “Debe de tener tanta energia buenisima, como tantos bailerines han bailado en ella” she said. It must have such wonderful energy; so many dancers have danced in it. I somewhat nervously but happily handed over the belt to this beautiful young dancer.
We watched the dance as she moved her body gracefully in the Peace Belt. The dance became a blur of fire and metal, with her body weaving wonderfully in and out of the fire. This dance was not what I had hoped for when I traveled to Mexico with the Peace Belt; I had hoped for some Mestiza in traditional dress to dance some very traditional Mexican dance like La Jarana, but I am ultimately very please with how things worked out. Wendy had said to me before I left, “I think the Peace Belt ends up where it does for a reason.” I believe this is very true, and both Eric and I are very honored to have been able to travel in the Peace Belt’s presence.
Note: The dancer in Mexico had a very busy schedule, and unfortunately I never had a chance to sit down with her and talk to her about the experience of dancing in the belt. I am currently trying to contact her through The Blue Parrot, where she danced those nights, so as to have at least a name so I can credit her for the beautiful dance she did in the belt. As soon as I am able to contact her, I will post more information about her.
