My local radio station is hosting a contest involving my favorite band. This isn't really news, considering KROQ is a big part of how Incubus got famous. They do concerts and contests involving the boys a lot, especially since Incubus lives in Los Angeles. What's a bit remarkable about this one (other than having Brandon pop on my radio to tell me to 'pack your bag, bitches! Go to KROQ!') is that in addition to the chance of winning Incubus' entire CD catalouge (I own it already, is this a surprise?) is the chance to go to China to see them perform in Beijing.
Well.
Needless to say, I will not be packing my bag to meet you in China, Mr. Boyd, I know you are reading this right now and your hopes are crushed. It got me to thinking, however, after a conversation with my husband (which, much to my amusement, involved me saying that I don't like Incubus enough to go to a communist country, to which he responded in shock, 'China isn't communist.' I patted him on his head) that for much of my vaunted desire and affection towards traveling, I'm a shrinking violet about a lot of things.
I already knew I wasn't much of a risk taker, but this extends a bit beyond that. I love the idea of traveling to other countries, but only if they speak English. I'm afraid this makes me an elitist. Does it make me an elitist? I am far too afraid of seeming like a moron to the people of a country whose language I do not speak, and petrified of finding myself in some Chinese square surrounded by rats and chickens shouting "DONDE ESTA LOS BRANDON BOYD" hoping at least in that case I might get SOMEONE who speaks a language I can understand. Not, mind you, that I speak Spanish.
I suppose the fear of being misunderstood is human. It is in our nature to desire to make a connection with another human being, to impart our wisdom and desire and knowledge to them in the pure, distilled form it resides within our heads in. It is also in our nature to misunderstand, to twist all communications as they come in until it's about us and not them, until it's personal and just a different enough shade of grey from whatever whoever was talking about that it's not the same shade at all.
I have to admire people like Incubus, or any other band. Now, I understand full well that they're surrounded by an entourage at all times and more often than not the only thing that changes is what's outside the window of the bus/van/train/plane, but the sheer idea of going and putting myself in front of all those people who don't even speak my language, and make myself understood...well, it's humbling. Terrifying, even. Communication is hard enough in this one language.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
You might have better luck using Russian to shout for Brandon in a Beijing square. And as for them playing in China... I can't decide what I think of that. Yes, China has a corrupt communist government that thinks nothing of subjugating another entire country while raping the environment of their own land. But who am I to lecture a supposedly socially aware band when for all I know half of the things I own were manufactured in said land? I will say, though, that I would love to hear that Mr. Boyd did his best while there to motivate the youth of China to follow a 'greener' path.
I can understand your issues with language and travel, but I don't think it makes you elitist. A weenie, yes, but not an elitist ;) Sometimes, stumbling along like a moron can open you up to some pretty amazing discoveries.
Post a Comment