The White King

John and I went to California this last weekend to hear a zydeco band play at a Jewish Community Center. In order to get there, we had to drive through Nevada, which as you know has quite a few casinos. We stopped in Elko and met the White King. It sort of reminded me on a grander scale, of some Muckleshoot firework stands. I couldn't quite figure out how a huge polar bear would draw in gamblers, but . . .

We stayed with one of John's friends from Teach for America, Val, who lives in Sacramento. We took a walk around Sacremento which incidentally has the largest amount of trees in the United States. Val took the picture of us by the cactus. I think she was also a little alarmed that we didn't seem to be really immersed in wedding planning the way some of her other friends have been.



Then we headed to San Rafael for the concert. As I mentioned above it took place at the Jewish Community Center there and I think Val, John and I were the youngest ones. There weren't as many men there as women, so after one dance, an older woman names Barbara came and asked if she could steal John away for a dance. She kept coming back for more because John happens to be a great cajun dancer.

We met Dave Thomas from Opelousas Louisiana (where John taught)who is a big fan of Geno and his band. It was fun to talk to him; he told us Opelousas is losing it's status as the zydeco capital, that zydeco was kind of dying out there. John asked him why and Dave explained that he thinks it's connected to the "rasino's" (a horse racing and casion complex combinded). So instead of going to the dance halls to dance and listen to music, people are going to the casions. It was an interesting discussion. Dave danced with me a couple of times and he was a very gracious and kind man. Anyway - it was a great trip. It'd be great to hear what everyone else is up to. I love you all.