Y.M.C.A is an organization, but it is also a popular song
that brings together different generations to dance and enjoy the days of the
Village People. Now, the Y.M.C.A in the tenderloin in San Francisco was a place
where I stayed for a few nights when I arrived to the city. And, it represents
one of the pages of my 20 years living in the USA, and this is why.
The first days and nights in San Francisco meant to stay in
places I could afford, and the YMCA opened its door with clean, safe and
comfortable rooms to stay. At least, that was my experience. The YMCA is located at Golden Gate Avenue and
Hyde Street in San Francisco, and, whoever lives or has lived in the city knows
that this is a very “interesting” area, and I had just arrived there.
At night, I will hear things, and during the day, I will see
them closely, and I knew that I was in the right place at the right time. I
knew I was in the city I always wanted to be, where simply, I could be myself.
Anyway, the YMCA opened its facilities to work out and to
get involved as a volunteer. Did you know that I used to teach Aerobics classes
back in Venezuela? Yes, I did, and as a volunteer at the YMCA in the tenderloin
in San Francisco I had the chance, after taking introductory classes, to become
an Aerobics instructor there.
What a fun time, because I loved teaching classes in
Venezuela, and I was good at it. I don’t know if it was the music, my
movements, the energy I brought to the class, the people who attended my
classes, the warm/hot weather in Venezuela, the salsa music or the merengue
music, or the old pop music from the 80’s. The fact that I brought that legacy
with me to the States helped me to become an Aerobics instructor at the YMCA in
the tenderloin of San Francisco, and give it to some wonderful people who took
a chance with my classes, and my English of basically 5 words: Yes, No, Hello,
Thank you and Please.
This experience put in contact, in touch with 2 men who became
great friends, and to these days, they are people that I admire, respect and
love. First, I met Robert “Bobby” Baxter who was the first man I got involved
with. We were together for about 3 months. Bobby opened his home to me in the
Castro to stay with him for a while. I was right in the middle of the Castro,
18th street and Castro Street above the Walgreens. So, I went from
the Tenderloin to the Castro in San Francisco. I am telling you, I was living
in the right places at the right times.
At the YMCA I also met Robert Scott. One of the most
amazing, energetic, fun Aerobics instructors I have ever experienced. Just
watching him teaching a class was fun, but even more fun than that, it was
taking his classes. Oh my God!!!!
Robert has charm that flows all over. He got a voice that
“hypnotizes” you. His smile illuminates a room, and…and…he speaks Spanish.
These are just a few things I want to say about him…but mostly, he is one good
man that gave me his friendship, taught me about teaching at the Y (as we
called it) and, I value his friendship as one golden treasure.
I keep traveling back and for through my memories, my index of
cards and notes of 20 years living in the United States. I write about it, and
this is only page 2 of the 20 pages. I may not be writing the greatest pieces
in Literature, but I am writing honest and heartfelt stories of a man who
arrived to the States when he was 24 years old (24 ½ actually), because I want
to honor so many family members and friends, who have become my family here in
this beautiful country…my home country now. They helped me and they keep
helping to reach my dreams and to enjoy my life as Juan Carlos Pinedo Rivera.
I want to end this page #2 by thanking to my beloved little
brother Miguel for pushing me to write the second chapter. He got so excited
and happy with the first one that he asked me, the last time we talked over the
phone, “when are you going to write the next pages of your 20 years living in
the United States?”
Ok Migue, this one, was also for you.
I love you all.
Juancho
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