Dumaguete Guitar Man

I am sitting in the Dumaguete airport after spending four days here with ICM. (I attended the annual budget/strategy meetings and assisted with conducting a new leadership training program.) The airport is small and intimate. There is a Guitar Man strumming slow songs. I suspect he might be blind. I just had one of those bizarre-trapped-in-time-in-the- middle of nowhere moments when The Guitar Man played an instrumental version of a distantly familiar song. I searched my memory to finally place it: I Don't Want To Talk About It by Rod Stewart. I particularly love this song. First, it's a great song. Second, the week before Rod Stewart played at Albert Hall, one of his managers discovered Amy Belle busking on the streets. Within one week Amy sang with Rod Stewart at the Albert Hall concert. Below is a You Tube video of that performance.

I have had many moments like this Asia in some of the most remote places possible. I remember one night sharing with an India Leader in Calcutta about a book "The Art & Science of Success" by Edward DeBono. A great book but not that easy to find. About 10 pm we called it a night. Remarkably as we stood at the lift, I noticed a bookstore open at the far end of the lobby. Sure enough, offered up on a shelf was a copy of "The Art & Science of Success."

Back to the blind Guitar Man. After placing the song I really wanted to hear I again. As I approached him I conspicuously placed a chunk of cash in his little collection box and then asked, "Was that a Rod Stewart song you just played?" I asked.

"Pardon me, sir?"

"Was that a Rod Stewart song you just played?" I repeated, "It was great version and I'd love to hear it again. Was it Rod Stewart?"

"No sir..." he said quietly.

Regardless, The Guitar Man serenaded on and passengers contributed heftily to his box as they departed for the next legs of their journeys.

Comments

[Maureen Lyons aka Mo aka grandmother aka Mum]

I also remember the blind man in the Dumaguete Airport, Charles, from last year. I was very impressed by him and enjoyed his singing. I recall thinking as I put money into his collection box, "I so hope others will contribute to him" and thankfully they did.

Nice memories.

M xox

[Dave Larson]

Great song...story (of Amy Belle). Haven't heard Rod Stewart in years...thanks for reintroducing me to him.

[Charles]

Hi Dave, you're welcome - it;s a great story and Amy is a great singer.