La Paz: Season Two

Siren Music

Sometimes weird shit happens. By this I mean that something I want, but I have not planned for or tried to achieve occurs in a beautiful, seemingly random way, though it doesn’t feel random at all because there were too many coincidences of timing and location. 

When I have these experiences it absolutely feels like the event has been engineered, and I had nothing to do with it. 

Maybe it’s coincidence, luck, fate, divine intervention, or just listening to your gut. Maybe it’s a combination of some or all of the above—the universe doing its unknown thing.

For me, a few of these experiences have totally changed my life, like meeting the love of my life and my current husband. Or they are of less weight in the scheme of things, but are still of great value, like watching the third episode of the final season of “Game of Thrones” in La Paz. 

So here's what happened last night. We once again went to our favorite spot on the Malecón, where we sit upstairs on the balcony and watch the sea and the people, plus have a lovely breeze. We had a beer, split a fish sandwich, and then decided, rather than return to our accommodations, to walk a bit on the Malecón and perhaps find a different bar that afforded equally lovely views.

Our view from the bar. The photo doesn't do it credit.

We stopped to watch some young performers on the beach, reenacting a scene of first contact between conquistadors and indigenous people. We couldn’t follow all the Spanish, so didn’t stay until the end, though we are pretty certain how that story turned out.

Then we crossed the street again to have a closer look at where we might find beautiful location number two. 

As we strolled, I heard the “Game of Thrones” theme song wafting down from an upstairs bar. Could it be? We had tried to find a way to watch the show down here but had given up all hope.

I asked the young man at the door if “Game of Thrones” was playing upstairs. Yes, he said,  and began to explain it was a series, but there was no need. The three of us raced up the stairs. 

The shades were drawn, there were six televisions and about 20people, including the staff. We sat down, ordered a margarita, just as Episode 3 began. We were beyond thrilled and felt like the Lord of Light had smiled on us, just as he had most of the main characters after the climactic battle with the dead.

Today in the harsh light of the sun, it doesn’t seem so amazingly fortuitous or coincidental, but what are the chances? We’ve already developed habits down here, and usually we just head up the street to relax in the gardens here, and all the timing was perfect!

Perhaps our good fortune last night can only be attributed to my urge for tequila—listening to my gut on a more literal level. But I like the idea of unseen maneuverings—whatever their source—providing us with unexpected and welcome surprises. 

I’m listening and hoping for more.