Carajo, que Calor!
We get into the car. It’s about 100 degrees and humid.
Maria says:
“Ay, carajo, it’s hot!”
Guat?
And then, I realize. We’ve been listening to the soundtrack from the musical, In the Heights — love and hope in Latino Washington Heights. The line my kid so expertly and correctly gave me from the back seat comes from the song “Paciencia y Fe” and sung by an elderly Cuban abuela.
I go into a nervous laugh. I explain that “carajo” is not the most polite word. It means “damn,” which we don’t use, alright beba?
But, I tell her the truth: Her Cubans use it a lot. Hell, if we lived in Miami, she would learn that her relatives use it at least a dozen-and-a-half times a day, for emphasis, for cursing, even for expressing delight. Her people carajo, carajo, carajo all.the.time.
But little girls in Tennessee, and even in Miami, aren’t supposed to use carajo.
Unless they’re singing an award-winning song of patience and faith in their very own kitchen.
Too bad, really. Because, carajo, she sounded so cute when she said it out of the blue, and oh so appropriately. Porque de verdad hay un calor del carajo here right now.
Calor! Calor! Calor!
The opening lyrics of Paciencia y Fe, from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s wonderful play, which we saw in Nashville this year.
Calor! Calor! Calor!
Calor! Calor! Calor!
Ay Mama!
The summer’s hottest day
Paciencia y fe
Paciencia y fe
Ay carajo, it’s hot!
But that’s okay
Mama would say,
“Paciencia y fe”
And the delightful Carnaval del Barrio, which we sing on a daily basis. We especially love to sing the line: Since when are Latin people scared of heat? And we get really, really loud when it is time to alza la bandera.
Hahahaaaaaaaa – I’m sure it did sound cute. That’s one of the toughest things as parents, sometimes we want to laugh but we need to keep a serious face.
She sounded so cute, I would let her say it regularly, but know that, well, that would be bad. LOL
OMG I was laughing out loud over here b/c when my little one was 3, she said it too but only b/c she hears me say it ALL THE TIME!! She’s six now. Oh and btw, I LOVED that show.
Lisa, I just can’t imagine you saying carajo…It’s hard not to curse in Spanish…I usually say “me cago…”
LOL, oh Carrie..how funny!! Kid’s are the best!
Kids are the best…most of the time…ha, ha.
I remember my family in San Juan saying “Caray!” When little kids drop bombs it does sound cute!!
Maria, my grandfathers both said “Ay, caray” a lot. And that is when you usually knew you’d better run. You know what I’m saying…
Ok, I laughed out loud when I read that! Love the story, and the context, and the wonderful way you were able to address the use of language. :) And, BTW, In the Heights is absolutely one of my all time *favorite* theater productions (not just musicals) — and I’ve seen quite a few for not living in NYC…
Gracias, Aurelia. You know, I’m not a huge Broadway fan, but I am so glad we saw In the Heights..I’m looking forward to the movie.
I love this musical and I love the word carajo!
I think you need a part in the production, Sujeiry. You’d make a fabulous Vanessa.
We love that CD! It never leaves the car =) This made me laugh so much =)
I know, cubanita, that you know the word carajo….
Too cute! Went to see In the Heights a couple of years ago when visiting my friend in NYC- absolutely loved it!! I wanted to get out of my seat and dance practically the entire show :-)
Beth, lucky for seeing it in NYC. I would have loved that. The traveling production was great. It was at TPAC.
(I have to tell you about my kid meeting Jeni, by the way!)
“Ay, bendito, que calor”……