My Yellow Ukulele in Argentina

When My wife and I visited Argentina in 2006, I brought my yellow ukulele. Little did I know that most people (at least in Jujuy Province in the northwest) were not familiar with this instrument. My ukulele got lots of attention.
During the first days in Jujuy Province I met Ricardo Vilca in a lounge in Tilcara. I was playing my ukulele privately and quietly in the lounge after almost everyone had left. There were just a few guys at a far table in the corner. One of them came over and asked if he could get his guitar and join in. He asked me about the yellow instrument and how it was tuned. He asked to play it. For someone who was not familiar with the ukulele he was amazingly good at picking on that instrument. We jammed for about 45 minutes... it was wonderful. We exchanged CDs.
It was only the next day that I found out who he was. When I told someone that I had jammed with Ricardo Vilca they said "What! Ricardo Vilca! He is a legend in Argentina." I was glad I didn't know at the time because I might have felt intimidated. As it was we had a wonderful time playing together.

My cousins David and Rosalie were born and raised in Buenos Aires. I was glad to have met Rosalie as she has since passed away. I had met David previously when he visited Montreal in 1982.

On the highway near Tres Cruces we stopped to photograph the beautiful landscape when another car pulled up off the road. Out got a girl (Luz) we had met in Tilcara. She was with her boy friend on their way to Bolivia for the day. We had not met him before but right away he asked me if I was the guy with the yellow ukulele. I said, "Yes, I have it in the car." He asked to play it and so he did... right there in the middle of nowhere Argentina.

We had a wonderful hike with all our gear stowed on the backs of llamas. We were very high (near 3000 meters) and the air was thin for us visitors. Part way up one of the hikers (Janet from Scotland) needed to catch her breath so we took a short break. I played a few songs to pass the time. Then we proceeded to climb until we got to a kind of plateau where our guide unloaded the lunch (table & chairs included). More songs, although it was a little difficult to sing because of the thin air. It was hard to fill your lungs...

One of the hikers (from Buenos Aires) Silvia took a video during the hike and we watched it that evening.

Eva's (our guide Santos' wife) birthday party was with her family and friends. We were invited to join them and again I got to play my yellow ukulele. Eva had great facial & hand gestures and I have pictures to prove it!

At the airport in Jujuy, a lady (who we had met at our hotel) but who had not heard me play, asked for a song before boarding the flight which delighted the other travellers nearby...

The day before we left Jujuy Province we went to Ricadro Vilca's house in Humahuaca. I wanted to give him my yellow ukulele as a little gift from Canada but alas, he was not home. This video is for you Ricardo, thanks for the memories.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lew
• Dite
• ukulele
• Argentina
• Ricardo
• Vilca

[mafcele]

Que lindo video y tu historia tambien

Ricardo Vilca patrimonio cultural de los Argentinos, que Dios lo tenga en la gloria....

[YoppyKyabetsu]

I love a well played pan flute. What a wonderful experience and story.

[cariboubill]

Surprising, Lew, what doors music will open. Enjoyed your video and the story that went with it. ...Bill

[woodcutter610328]

Great story Lew Dite! I admire your courage to play anywhere and anytime!

Steve

[TenaciousFlea]

what a wonderful story!

[krabbers]

cool film

[LStrachey]

A great story! thanks for letting us in on it all.

[stewballmax3]

Hello

Lew...

A most ASTOUNDING and INSPIRING travelogue...all centered aroudn that MAGICAL yellow ukulele. The images of the adventures shared are seamlessly married to this spine-tingling musical score. An exquisite and handsomely produced showcase saturated with an impeccable,sweet and pure versimilitude.

Pax,

Max

[troyota1955]

Amazing travelogue. I love the landscapes of Argentina! And of course, the validation of the uke as a perfect traveling companion. (well, as long as we're counting inanimate objects!)

The highlands music is a wonderful accompaniment.

And blessings to Rosalie....

U-K-T

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks for sharing those adventures with us, Lew. A fascinating story and great music and photos to go with it.