Usha, Usha

I may have found my favorite place in Cajamarca. Usha, Usha - Definition: the phrase used by campesinos when they are finished with a shaman prayer to be grateful and go in peace; or also used to get a cow, horse, mull to hurry up. This bar seems like it could be the incubation place of latin american revolutionary ideas. The guitar player greeted us with kisses and hugs when we walked in. Our group shared a bottle of wine while we listened to the cultural history of cajamarca and the rest of mesoamerica for that matter. We heard story after story of conquest, spiritual wisdom, magical plants, connections found throughout the americas, and how on earth our generation can keep history alive and reclaim what has been lost. Our musician then picked up his guitar, and his son sat on the "cajon" (box) and they played a mix of old, funny, carnival, and historical songs. We were clapping, singing, laughing all night. It was was an intimate and amazing night. A night of storytelling, woven throughout song. Anyone who comes to visit me here in cajamarca will definitely be visiting Usha, Usha.