My First Time With Chayanne --- Pt. 2 of Bariloche's Saga

Now where did I leave off?  : - )

Following the NYC Shows I was much too happy and hype over the whole experience.  I had never felt anything like it.  I’ve always liked concerts but this was a dream come true.  This was way more than I expected and simply a blissful adrenaline rush.  So what did I do?  Well…

My mind was made up that I had to meet him and tell him how much those moments at the NYC shows meant to me.  I also wanted to tell him that he is the only person I admired for this long and the first artist I ever truly liked.  He kept me connected to my Hispanic roots at a time when I was more American than ever (It was HS, I had to fit in.  The craze was NSYNC & Backstreet Boys! & Britney Spears!).  But though I went around singing “I Want it That Way!”  I also went about with “Lo dejaria todo porque te quedaras! Mi credo, mi pasado, mi religión…” on my lips. 

The problem was, how do I achieve this?  How can I meet him?  And then the heavens parted and I got an answer.  I emailed every single contact for all promotion companies that I could find were promoting his concerts.  I must’ve sent hundreds of emails, explaining to them in so many words that no, I’m not a crazy fan and yes, I am sure I’m not the only one writing you but you had to understand this moment was 15 years in the making for me.  And I got NOT ONE RESPONSE.  I almost gave up when I sent one final email to a promoter I had a good vibe about.  I’ve always been very good with vibes.  I’m very spiritual and in sync with people’s auras.  That might make me a little crazy, but I don’t care.  I waited one week and no response.  I had given up hope.  And then, the heavens parted again to this time give me some good news.  A RESPONSE!  The very same person I had good vibes from.  The message was simple.  “Yes I do get a lot of these but yours stands out.  I don’t know why.  Come to the show in Toronto and I will see what I can do. No promises.  But I can try.”  I of course had booked a flight to Toronto within the following 3 days.  All based on impulse.  I wasn’t even consciously thinking.  My subconscious was doing it all.

I didn’t really care where the seat was.  As the day of the show approached a good friend of mine was interested in going to Toronto and he embarked on my crazy mini vacation.  I think deep down he was just afraid that something terrible would happen to me.  On June 21^st  we took the 2 hour flight to Canada.  The city was AMAZING.  I think that trip also started my love for traveling and seeing new places.  I haven’t stopped flying places since. 

To shorten the story I finally met my new friend face to face and as promised I was given my concert ticket.  I almost cried when I saw the seat.  2^nd row, dead center.  I was speechless.  I couldn’t believe someone who has never met me was giving me such a wonderful gift.  The day of the show came.  June 23^rd.  I bought the most amazing dress by Marciano.  I shelled out $200 bucks on it.  Why?  Because in my heart something told me, this is it.  It’s going to happen.  I wasn’t told it was.  I was told maybe.

I got to the arena a little early as I was told and was placed in a line.  I had 4-inch stilettos.  I was on that line for 2 hours, not even knowing if I was going in.  To top it off, I see a reporter come from backstage wearing my dress… with jeans.  Not to be conceited… but I styled it a lot better than her.  I did not hide my legs and let them exhibit ;-)  And then I was  approached by my friend.  I was in!  I was part of the group that won their opportunity through the radio station!  Mind you I could barely walk after standing for 2 hrs in 4-inches but I didn’t care.  The next few minutes were a blur.  Happened so fast.  On the line one minute and the next I was being asked to walk through a door where in the middle of the room, there stood Chayanne, in a red shirt looking up at me smiling.  I was stopped for a minute.  I took my eyes off him (I don’t know how I managed that!) and was asked to go in.  I hugged him like I never hugged another man before.  And I think he felt the love flow through.  I wanted to say so much and .. nothing was coming out.  No tears, just pure utter bliss and a big smile.  So he winks and I suddenly awaken from my trance.  I said “I have been dreaming of this moment for 15 years” in Spanish to which he smiled and said “Well, Happy Sweet 15^th!”  He hugged me again.  I was speechless.  I was asked for my camera, flashes all around (I’m still clinging to him) and then I was told someone else had to come in.  As I left I looked at him and blew him a kiss as I was turning at the door.  He looked back gave me that great flirty smile of his and winked.  I couldn’t feel my body, my feet, anything.  I don’t even know how I got to my seat.  All I know is that I had just experienced one of the happiest moments of my life.  Not even graduating from High School as Salutatorian or graduating college as an Engineer could top this moment (only the birth of my Nephew does).

And this is where I will leave this part 2 of my saga…. Tomorrow I will continue with the show and what happened after!  Stay tune my dear Guajiras!

*** Disclaimer:  Though thankfully to God and all my guardian angels, my crazy adventure turned out to be a good experience, I do not recommend you do what I did without first thinking it a million times and considering the consequences.  I think about it now and yes, I was INSANE to have such blind truth to go to a country I’ve never been to before alone to meet people I’ve never seen and trust them with my safety.  Luckily I have good friends and very good senses… and a good God that protects me!***