I met Christian "Chris" Benitez on a trail run on the Mesa Trail in Boulder on Sunday. It was sunny but very cold and at the the top of the Chautauqua Road (which I never run - it's too many people) and I saw him leaning there strumming his guitar. It was quite lovely. But it was cold. How were his fingers not frozen in the pine trees shade? I said hello and asked to take a video and he gave me his phone. I shot video with both his and my phone side by side. He began playing Santana's song called Dreams. It was wonderful. After this song he introduced himself. He's an engineer. From Mexico City. He's here in Colorado to learn English and get the best job so he can make the best money and bring it back home when he visits his wife and three kids 13, 17 and 23. Then he played for me and a trail hiker an old traditional song called Ratas about corrupt government ways there and he really played it well. A dog even almost jumped in his lap. Eat your heart out Andy Thorn! He approved the video usage. I have shared the videos with Chris. He hasn't responded. I hope he likes it. He didn't have to say it, but I could tell coming here was his joy. His release. His pleasure. A few hikers stopped to listen. It was quite wonderful. Chris has a gift and I'm glad I got to witness it. Please enjoy! HATCH
FROM THE TRAIL #49, Christian "Chris" Benitez