One thing I noticed over our week in Cuba was that while at first, the music in general was amazing, after a while the Salsa began to grate and even became extremely annoying at times. They also have this hybrid Salsa-rap music which is powerfully nauseating, far worse than any Stateside hip-hop (imagine Fitty-Cent but with congas and a huge horn section playing variations on one loop endlessly and you'll get the picture).
Another thing was the strolling quartets, usually a mix of women and men but sometimes only women. The first time of hearing "La Bamba" was charming, but the 76th rendition of "Guantanamera" had me grinding my teeth and wanting desperately to escape to some jazz club, one without horns, congas or classical guitars.
That's my ramble/rant for today . . . no doubt I'll think of more soon (yep! Next up: sex tourism).
Having fun is a very stressful experience.
ReplyDeleteNext time I want to go on a vacation, I'll set up a beach umbrella on my balcony, maybe buy a plastic palm tree, drink some elaborate cocktails, listen to exotic music from faraway lands and read travel magazines.
ReplyDeleteThat's about the speed of my next "vacation." (Hey, I've always wanted to go to Mars, but does it mean I really have to do it to enjoy the experience? Hey, that's a good idea for a movie . . . implants that convince you you've been to Mars!)
Yep, I believe it was called Total Recall.
ReplyDeleteYep. Or "We can Remember it for you Wholesale" By Philip K. Dick.
ReplyDeleteSame thing...n'est pas? The film was based on the story. But it is your blog, so we will side with the original print version.
ReplyDeleteRyk,
ReplyDeleteI was just kidding. Yes, I meant Total Recall right from the very beginning. Great movie! Great idea. As I sit here typing on my laptop in my comfortable Japanese-style bedroom looking forward to making some filet mignons for dinner the thought of actually schlepping my bags to an airport and getting on an aluminum cigar to some dodgy destination in the third or even second world is, umm, a prospect I do not relish.
So a magic pill that would give me the memories without the bad food and hookers hassling me on the beach would be very welcome.
But meanwhile, it's the Travel Channel!
I feel your pain, I schlep the family and a cooler full of cryo'd top quality meat to the BVI each year on no less than 3 legs each way. Then waste countless days in flying tin going to and from meetings and events for work.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of virtual travel is very appealing.
The Virgin Islands must be nice. But face it, traveling sardine-class is no way to do anything these days.
ReplyDeleteI have to fly to Japan twice a year to pick up my son, and in the old days, when I was super-elite and had a chance of bumping up to First Class that was tolerable, but now that Air Canada no longer flies to Osaka (my destination) I join all the other sardines in 56F.
Thank god for double bloody marys.
Well if you head down river to Kyoto... and book well well in advance, you should try Soujiki Nakahigashi. I hear it is the meal of a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteAi yai yai yai yai. That's kaiseki cuisine. That's like going to Spain to eat at Ferran Adria's El Bulli or California and Thomas Keller's French Laundry.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I stay at the Kansai airport hotel and my turnaround time is . . . one night. Yep, arrive one day at 4 p.m., leave the next at 6 p.m. Now THAT's what saké is for!
I'll be lucky if I get room service (which is pretty good, by the way!)
I don't have to worry about flying but I'm driving my kids to Chicago tomorrow for a few days. The museums should be fun! : )
ReplyDeleteYou're going to be doing some Chicago-style drive-by museuming, huh?
ReplyDeleteWear body armor!