I Wanna Be Where the People Are

Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl
The girl who has everything?

Look at this trove, treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Looking around here you'd think
Sure, she's got everything

I've got gadgets and gizmo's a plenty
I've got whozits and whatzits galore
(You want thingamabobs? I've got 20)
But who cares? no big deal - I want more

I wanna be where the people are

I wanna see wanna see 'em dancing

Walking around on those -

(What do you call 'em? Oh) - feet!

Flipping your fins you don't get to far

Legs are required for jumping, dancing

Strolling along down a -

(What's that word again?) - Street

Up where they walk, up where they run

Up where they stay all day in the sun

Wandering free

Wish I could be part of that world

What would I give if I could live

Out of these waters?

What would I pay to spend a day

Warm on the sand?

Bet'cha on land, they understand

Bet they don't reprimand their daughters

Bright young women, sick of swimming

Ready to stand 

And ready to know what the people know

Ask 'em my questions

And get some answers

What's a fire and why does it -

(What's the word?) -burn?

When's it my turn?

Wouldn't I love

Love to explore that shore up above

Out of the sea

Wish I could be part of that world

Personally, I think that "Part of Your World" is one of, if not the best, Disney song of all time (I'd also consider "Colors of the Wind" and "Circle of Life.")  As a little girl, Ariel and her song captivated me.  

When my mom came to visit recently, she brought small presents for each of my host niece and nephews.  For my 6 year-old niece Daniela, she brought a Little Mermaid coloring kit that including pages to be designed and printed out with your own characters to add to the story.  Daniela absolutely loved it and asked for my help in scanning her photo in, designing her character, and printing out the pages.  When we started coloring, she kept asking me what colors to use for Flounder's body, Ariel's hair, Ariel's fins, etc.  I didn't think much of this, because many Peruvian kids, teenagers, and young adults are so accustomed to rote memorization that they ask for direct instruction on everything, including things like what color pen to use when writing, whether to color in the box or make an "X," etc.  So I assumed that this was the case with the Little Mermaid, until I later realized that she had never seen the movie.  WHAT!!!  I had assumed that with the ubiquitousness of all American movies (especially cartoons) in Peru, that she must know Ariel.  But I guess the "Classics" aren't as well known!  Of course, upon learning this, I set a date with her mom to come over and watch the Little Mermaid with her.

I don't have a physical picture, but it was a day that I will definitely consider one of my favorite Peace Corps memories.  Daniela and I cuddled on the floor while watching a movie that has been magical to me since I was her age.  Albeit the Spanish version of "Part of Your World" doesn't measure up to the English one, but she loved "Under the Sea."  We ate crackers and drank our juice together.  And I was in heaven. 

I can't bear the thought of leaving this girl in less than a year.