I am in Kentucky this weekend. I drove down Friday afternoon from Columbus to Louisville. I cried the whole drive (approximately 3 hours). Too many memories running through my head, too many people I have lost and never let myself mourn. I finally did during that drive. I also drove through a lot of rural Ohio and some rural Kentucky. I thought about the migrant farm workers that I had meet who would go to Kentucky when things got rough in Ohio.
I am in Louisville, hanging out with Preston. It has been very interesting. His friends are very, …well, very…Kentucky. They are white, all the females are blond, they are almost all Republicans a few of them are blind-following Republicans. It has been a challenge for me. Preston and Chris (his friend whose house we are staying at) really seem to love these friends of theirs who are so politicaly different. While I sit there and want to scream at them. Luickly, I haven’t. Preston has said that he has found that the best offense is somtimes too just let them talk and they will keep talking and at some point realize that they aren’t making any sense.
When I pulled off the freeway in Kentucky, and arrived to Chris’ neighborhood, I saw a Mexican family. I tossed my dirrections aside and started to follow the family, I wanted to see where they were going. They ended up pulling into a Meijer’s Grocery Store. I like seeing Mexicans when traveling and seeing where they have estabilished communities.
Unfortunatly, when I left Columbus I forgot money and identification. Fortunatly Caonabo was coming out Kentucky the very next morning. However, getting my stuff to him was a huge hassel as my friend Becca had to drive to my house to pick up my stuff and then drive to Caonabo‘s apartment on the other side of town and drop it off. At least now I have money, right? And if I get pulled over while driving home at least I’ll have some sort of ID. The only speeding ticket I’ve ever gotton was in Kentucky in January of 2000.
Right now people in Louisville are all excited about the Kentucky Derby. They had the largest fireworks show tonight that I have ever seen in my life. People great each other with “Happy Derby”. There is Derby merchandise everywhere. I am just not understanding it. The boys here, that have been such great hosts to me, have been planning Derby parties. Can anyone explain all of this to me?
Elenamary,
I’m teaching at the University of Kentucky and I can sympathize with your reaction to the cookie-cutter look of upscale urban Kentuckians. Its really difficult sometimes for me to distinguish my students by name–I have to map quirks out to get a handle on whothey are and that takes time.
Another thing I despise is the false politeness and rejection of improper questions (very difficult in classes teaching critical thinking)… my urban California style of directness and questioning can be disconcerting to them…
Anyways, if you would like a copy of “Live Without Dead Time” (which you responded to at my site) send your address to my email and I’ll burn you a copy.
well i’m half kentukian my self and the derby has always been a very special time in our household all growing up….. it just IS