DailyTourist

DailyTourist: Paris, France: Portrait of a Lady

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 08:38:00 -0700

DailyTourist: Paris, France: Portrait of a Lady

San Francisco, CA -- City by the Bay

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 8 Sep 2013 23:31:00 -0700

This was the view of the Bay Bridge from the chaise lounge situated next to the picture window in my hotel room. It was Sunday. I had the day off. The sky was clear and the temperature mild. I was excited for whatever the day brought. Wanting to make the most of it and eager to discover what San Francisco was all about, I decided on a city bus tour. I find this to be the most efficient and cost effective way to tour most any town in a limited amount of time. The images below chronicle the sights I saw en route. Just steps away from my hotel was the first stop on the tour, Fisherman's Wharf. The Wharf is a great vista for viewing the Bay, grabbing lunch, or taking in an afternoon stroll. Midday at the Wharf, the arcade of restaurants and shops are usually bustling with pedestrians. Inside, I discovered a great health food market and artisan cheese store. I'd suggest starting at the Wharf early in the day. Located within the business district, the general area does not keep late hours.

Above is the clock tower at the Wharf and below are passing streetcars.

There is Pier 39, where you can hear live music, eat, shop and be entertained by street performers. The Alcatraz Landing is at Pier 33. It's the gateway and depot for travel across the Bay to the infamous Alcatraz Penitentiary.

Above is the view of Alcatraz.

En route, we saw the "painted ladies" referencing the painted facades of the Victorian and Edwardian architectural stacked row houses that line the hilly streets of San Fran.

Below, the copper green patina mixed-use building, known as the Columbus Tower, makes a statement due to its early 20th century roots as it sits solo in a sea of modernity. It is also significant because it is owned and occupied by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. It is here that you'll find his bistro and wine shop, Cafe Zeotrope, apparently, well worth a visit. I'll have to find out during my next visit.

San Fran is like no other metropolitan city, with high rises and office buildings alike. The bus tour passed the city's signature landmark structure, the Transamerica Pyramid. It stands as the tallest building in downtown San Fran and is most noted for its' pyramid shape.

Britex fabric store is worth mention. Look no further if you are a creative stitcher or crafts person seeking inspiration. With a plethora of quality fabrics, Britex is located in the heart of downtown and well worth a visit.

We passed by City Hall. And grabbed lunch in the SOMA district.

There was the infamous intersection, Haight and Ashbury. Significantly known in the 1960's for it's "free love" and hippie subculture in the neighborhood.

Above is the stunning view of the city from the Golden Gate Bridge seen below.

The bus tour was certainly a great way to get better acquainted with San Francisco. I had a great afternoon. I learned new things about the city and saw it with fresh eyes. Until next time...

Northern California Coast: Monterey, Carmel & Big Sur

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 11:45:00 -0700

The stunning beauty of the northern California coastline makes it easily one of the Earth's most beautiful landscapes ever. It is awe inspiring with swells of Prussian blue tides crashing up onto winding rocky shores, there is the backdrop of mighty rolling hills that seamlessly meet the sky, occasionally playing hide and seek with the morning mist, and mystic forest trees, redwoods and giant sequoias that stand tall, ever present in strength and power. The air is fresh and the scenery nothing short of breathtaking.

For a brief stint, this was my daily work setting. I happened to be one of a few who were called on to be a part of an unlikely adventure. Over the course of two weeks, myself and some amazingly talented women were shuttled from San Fransisco, and later, Monterey to Carmel and Big Sur, to exercise our costuming skills, offering our expertise towards the completion of the Lord of the Ring inspired costumes designed and produced by Oscar Award-winning Costume Designer, Ngila Dickson, for the Sean Parker wedding extravaganza. We were trusted to put the finishing touches on costumes outfitted for the guests, family and friends in attendance for this huge and very special event.

As the grounds of the wedding were off limits to all and highly secured, the photos attached are courtesy of the Vanity Fair September 2013 issue.

Below are scenic pictures of the countryside and stunning views that I was fortunate enough to take in each day en route to work. They are unforgettable moments that call for a reason to exhale. Ahhhhhhh! Enjoy.

Daily travel from The Monterey Inn, where we stayed, to the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, a 20 minute drive, was our home away from home and temporary base camp and workshop. A tranquil and serene setting, the environment of the Quail Lodge eased the stresses of our daily work routine and the staff were quite accommodating.

As the big day neared with guests arriving from around the country, our days were spent in Big Sur, split between Post Ranch and Ventana Inn. We where divided into small satellite groups available to accommodate guest fittings and alterations. Post Ranch Inn is a stunning mix of luxury and tranquility. This coastal sanctuary is set on 100 acres of prime real estate perched high above the Pacific Ocean. It's rustic landscape blends with nature and offers romantic panoramic ocean and mountain views. Though, not a vacation for me, I took it all in and appreciated the daily feeling of zen surrounding me. Post Ranch is a bucket list must. One problem though, I'd never want to leave.

Post Ranch Inn reception

Ventana Inn & Spa offers very much the same. It is again a spectacular piece of property with vistas of mountain, ocean and sky for as far as the eye can see. It is conveniently located directly across the road from Post Ranch and was the site where the wedding nuptials took place. We were shuttled between the two, working steadily, offering our services until moments before the wedding hour. Canopied by redwoods, the forest grounds at Ventana strategically provided the perfect setting for the dream fantasy wedding hiding it from public view. It was chosen as the perfect place to set the tone and ambiance for the reportedly 9 million dollar spectacular. The pre-wedding production was fully unforgettable and one I am thankful to have been a part of. Go, team wardrobe!

Represented here we are only a few. Let's just say it took a small village to pull off the
costume needs for this production.

Dallas, Texas: Onyx Nail Spa & Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 11:44:00 -0800

Genius!.... A nail spa & BAR!

I was relaxing in my room when Gee extended the suggestion for us to get mani/pedi's at Onyx Nail Spa & Bar as a treat to ourselves. She discovered this hidden jewel, a year ago, on a previous visit to Dallas and thought it would be enjoyable. She booked appointments for two, then we quickly hopped in a cab to drive fifteen minutes across town. We entered a spacious, bright and very clean nail salon, were greeted by name and immediately asked to pick a nail color from the selection of plenty. We were escorted to two ultra comfy massage chairs, where we sat side by side, movie-theatre style, while watching BRAVO and HGTV from a selection of mounted flat screen TV's across the room. We were given a cocktail menu, along with the menu of services, asked what we'd prefer to drink and were kindly encouraged to sit back, relax and enjoy. I was quickly in awe of the atmosphere, presentation and experience. OMG, "cuticles and cocktails." Genius!!!

The salon stayed busy with a constant flow of customers, men and women alike. It was great and much needed.

The menu of services was cute and catchy, listing treatments such as the Moji Toe, Pink Cosmo, Chocotini-pedi, Pedi Straight Up and so much more..... I chose a Cosmo to go with my Cosmo, of course,.....a grapefruit salt scrub, extended leg massage, and paraffin wax, while Gee kept it light with a mimosa and a Pedi Straight Up.

The menu of services was extensive. In addition to manicures and pedicures, Onyx offers massage, waxing, facials, eyelash tinting, and nail design application.

It's probably a good thing I don't live in Dallas. I can see how Onyx could easily become addictive,.... ....and it might not be for the mani/pedi's. :)

Happy Valentine's Day ladies!!! Treat yourself to something nice.

Florence, Italy: The Train Station

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 3 Feb 2013 22:34:00 -0800

Train travel.

As a kid living in Europe, I learned to appreciate the railway and had respect for it as a staple of convenience of European travel. I remember the train station in Florence being a meeting place of sorts, a thoroughfare, a hub. It was a busy and transient space of coming and going, and a great place to people watch. I remember a vivid world of Eastern European gypsies and less fortunate children begging for food and Lire, the Italian currency at that time. I'd see businessmen dressed smart in business suits and trench coats and mothers with kids in tow, wearing wool toggle coats and penny loafers, the Italian classic. There were cafes, tabacchi shops and newsstand agents, street performers, portrait artists, backpackers, lovers and tourists.

The train station was a very lively and urban place, energetic and not always clean, sometimes seedy, but aways available. It was active with lives steadily merging without notice. There was a rhythmic beauty to the hustle and bustle of it all. It is reminiscent of the train station scene from the more recent films, Slumdog Millionaire and Hugo. Yes, films depicting different cultures and of different times, but with the same ambiance and relevant symbolism, nonetheless.

I remember happy times traveling the trains with my brothers and parents, when life was carefree and simple, and our experiences, rich and full. During summer break from school or when time allowed, we'd travel to Tuscany, the Italian countryside, and to surrounding nearby cities and towns, Pisa, Rome, Assisi, Torino, Portofino and Siena. Life was easy. Life was good.

Traveling throughout Europe by train as an adult, I am still in awe of the "train station", of its beauty and grandeur at times. The train station is a special place and train travel equally as unique. I have memories traveling in a sleeper car from Moscow to St. Petersburg and Florence to Naples, of riding the bullet train from Osaka to Yokohama, and traveling the Eurostar through the English channel to France.

This blog post pays respect and tribute to my memory of train travel and honors the value of the train station and it's meaning to the community.

New York City: Pulqueria Restaurant & Bar

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:01:00 -0800

PULQUERIA (pul-que-ria noun \pulke'rea\), a Mexican shop that sells "pulque", aka, "a cool ass bar/restaurant in NYC".

PULQUE (pul-que), a Mexican alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of various agave's, or in lay mans terms, "a milky tequila worth drinking".

My first experience with pulque was in NYC, my second in Mexico.

It was a temperate summer night in August when a friend hipped me to Pulqueria, a very unassuming, dark, trendy and loud underground bar/restaurant in the heart of Chinatown. Who knew???

I discovered Pulqueria during a last minute, ill attempt, to wrangle friends to share spirits and rally around my niece, Ashley's, twenty-first birthday weekend in NYC. Until then, it had been a full and busy couple of days, planning, hosting and entertaining Ashley in celebration of her special day. We had seen a free concert in Central Park, visited with family, trekked around SoHo, the Village and midtown, window shopped throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, taken in a rooftop bar or two, and were now ending our weekend at a small find in Chinatown. It was within a small, narrow, alley-like street, where two men stood watch, while asking to see ID, that we found Pulqueria. Lucky for Ashley, there was no need for the fake ID anymore.
The narrow stairway leading downward into darkness opened on the left, to a non-pretentious dance floor and bar, and to dining tables on the right. Myself, brothers and niece got ourselves situated at the bar, ordered a few simple small dishes and enjoyed the new experience of "pulque", liquor infused fruity drinks. It was nice.

My second encounter with pulque was in Mexico, where it originated. This time I felt that I had the upper hand, being "in the know", now familiar with the liquor since Pulqueria. I came across pulque at a tequila tasting outside of Mexico City. I was with friends, when again, our day ended with sampling and drinking liquor. We had spent the better part of our day at Teotihuacan, the centuries old ruins and Mexican pyramids, about an hours drive outside of Mexico City. It had been a long day in the sun and we were tired, when the guided tour detoured strategically to a souvenir and artisan shop off the side of the road where we found ourselves being educated on the many uses of agave, hence tequila and pulque, before being encouraged to make purchases. Hmmmmm.

We managed to leave the arts and crafts shop with little more than a few stone sculptures, some silver jewelry and, yes, many bottles of authentic Mexican tequila. We carried on sampling the brands throughout the car ride back to town. Memories were made and a good time had. In all, I'd say it was a great day. Part educational,..... part cultural,..... part spiritual, and a lot, festive with libation.

Cheers to PULQUE!!!

Vancouver, Canada: Ramen Night

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:01:00 -0800

It was nearly three weeks ago that I packed a bag to start back on tour for the North American leg of the Born This Way Ball, first stop,.....Vancouver, Canada. After a relatively short flight, arriving from California, having cleared customs, baggage claim and the hotel check in, I had worked up an appetite. It made perfect sense that, my girls and I, venture out for a bite to eat.

Hearing that Vancouver has a penchant for amazing Asian cuisine, we wasted no time and set our sights on ramen. The night was cold and wet, as we walked in the rain, to nearby Santouka, a popular and crowded noodle house recommended by the hotel.

We settled in, got cozy, and were quickly served at the crowded banquette. Huge bowls of warm spicy, flavorful ramen and gyoza placed before us brought smiles to our faces. It was the perfect quick fix on a dreary night, and equally as delicious.

After slurping noodles and broth, which, in Japanese culture is a true sign of pleasure and enjoyment, I might add, we made our way back to the Bayshore Westin, our home away from home, to snuggle in for the night and get ready for a fully loaded tomorrow.

Since that time it's been full speed ahead. We've hosted shows in Tacoma, WA, Portland, OR, San Jose and Los Angeles, CA, Phoenix, AZ and Las Vegas, NV. Mostly tired and with little time to explore, I find my days decompressing indoors, spending lots of time with "ME",.....and blogging, of course. Let's just call it my time of "self discovery."

Next stop, Dallas, TX.

Moscow to LAX: Reflections of 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 3 Jan 2013 22:22:00 -0800

Stepping into 2013, I can't help but reflect on 2012. It was a long, exhausting, yet, amazing year, full of experiences most people only dream of. For much of the year, due to my job, I traveled to six continents, numerous countries and countless cities. It was a year to take stock of and not take for granted. I'll treasure the experiences and feel very fortunate to have had them. I met new people, observed new cultures, ate new foods, cultivated new friendships and embraced each day for what it was, good or bad.

The photograph above is poignant and memorable to me because it is of our final flight of the year. It was my flight home. That picture does not depict an airplane wing and horizon line. I see is an image full with emotion. I see exhalation, relief, excitement, joy, contentment and reflection. I sat in flight that afternoon, journeying from Moscow into the night sky across the North Pole, thinking of the year behind me, and what was to come. I was full with excitement, knowing that Muy Alto would be eagerly waiting to retrieve me outside of baggage claim once I'd arrived, and yet, I was sad to think that I may never see many of the places I had visited, ever again.

I sat reminiscing.....my thoughts racing, struggling to hold on tight to the new memories I had made. I mentally revisited my day with friends walking amongst the clouds on Table Mountain in South Africa,

thought back to my moment daydreaming on the black sandy beaches of Karekare and Piha in New

Zealand and recalled my stroll with a local tour guide through the streets of Soweto in Johannesburg.

I remembered the evening of Milonga with friends in Buenos Aires. We gawked in awe of locals dancing tango under ambient umber lighting, when later that evening, nearly dawn, we shared an organic and impromptu moment of sound and song with the remaining locals on hand.

I thought of my day climbing the stairs, in reach of the top, of the centuries old Sun and Moon pyramids in Mexico, and of my accomplished hiking excursions with Muy Alto, during his first ever visit to Australia.

I remember my day of dim sum in Hong Kong and Korean barbecue in Seoul

and savouring sunset while sailing the Swedish fjords.

There was cycling through the streets of Copenhagen,

and I took in the traditional and legendary Temple Bar in Dublin.

In Paris, I strolled along Boulevard Champs Elysee and saw Le Tour Eiffel at the stroke of midnight.

There was wine tasting at the vineyards on Waiheke Island,

ice skating at Red Square in Moscow and so much more.....

I think back to my visit with friends old and new in London, Sydney, Singapore, Seoul and Melbourne. These cumulative instances feed my soul. I reminisce.

My wish for 2013 is simple,..... that this year come remotely close to, or be nearly as interesting as 2012. For that, I'd feel that I had done something right in another lifetime.

HAPPY 2013!!!

South London, UK: Brixton Market

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 19:40:00 -0700

So, here I am at the Brixton Market in South London. Lucky me,..... I had the luxury of two great tour guides. I was thoroughly entertained as "my little friends" showed me all the ends and outs of the market...... We had a great day exploring the many food stalls, cafes and boutiques.

As mentioned in my previous blog post, Brixton Market is a hub of energy and interesting sights. There is great people watching, eateries, and cafes. We made the rounds filling our day exploring as you'll see below.

Spots that I'd suggest to visit are Wildcaper, an amazing find, offering quality food--options of meat, cheeses and freshly baked breads, including vegan and vegetarian options, complimented by a wonderful wine selection. There is also, Franco Manca a charming restaurant, where we sat and ate a most enjoyable lunch of thin crust, wood-fire oven cooked pizza and salad, all the while, sipping on a nice table red. In the near distance is also Relay, a small eatery and tea house known for its assorted teas, sandwiches, scones, cakes and delicious soups.

There are many more great finds throughout the market, these are only a few to acquaint you with and to help get you on your way. Whatever the case, the Market is a great way to spend an afternoon,.......or two. Enjoy!

London, England: Brixton, South London

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 08:46:00 -0700

Some weeks ago while in London I visited with my dear friend Nikki. My and Nikki's friendship has lasted the test of time. Our first trip abroad was a planned pre-graduation trip hosted and chaperoned by our high school art teacher. That experience sticks with me to this day. We traveled to France and Spain. I guess one could say that the seed had been planted,.....who knew that that would be the first of many trips abroad.

One husband, three kids and sixteen years later, Nikki now lives in Brixton. A predominantly West Indian community in South London. Being familiar with Brooklyn, having lived there, I find the two communities a bit similar. They are both a melting pot of cultures and diversity. I particularly love the buzz and energy of Brixton. It is a myriad of local shops and restaurants, young families and old. The homes in the neighborhood are of modest brown brick, not unlike many in metropolitan London.

Brixton is ever changing. The popular Brixton Farmers Market shows evidence of the gentrification going on in the area. It's a superb market where vendors sell everything from fresh fruit and produce to cuts of meat, African print textiles, hair products and wigs. Sprinkled throughout the market are warm and inviting storefronts, bakeries, coffee shops and tiny boutiques. Personally, I love the people watching. It's some of the best. People are interestingly dressed, from London beatnik and thrift to Afrocentric chic with a ethnic flare, expressive with patterns and colorful brights.

I first experienced Brixton Market with Nikki a couple of years back. I am now convinced that it will always be one of my pit stops when visiting London.

This particular day my journey started in South Kensington where I took the District tube line to the Victoria line to Brixton. Follow my next blog post and you'll see how the day ended up.

Ciao for now!

I made it!!!! Brixton and Nikki here I come. Love you loads. xx.

Follow my next blog post where we'll explore some of Brixton Market....

Antwerp, Belgium

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 09:52:00 -0700

The Central Railway Station in Antwerp, Belgium.

Global Cuisine: Berlin, Melbourne, Oslo and Zurich

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:17:00 -0700

Tapas in Toledo, Brats in Bremen, Pizza in Palermo......one would think, right? Oddly enough, there are times along my travels that my taste buds less desire the cuisine of the city I'm in, but something totally different. Familiarity often overrides my not so curious taste buds. When in Tokyo I had Irish, in Berlin it was French Vietnamese, in Melbourne I found tapas, pizza in Oslo and most recently Mexican in Zurich. Sometimes it happens.

Here are a few restaurant picks that I feel in love with, wished I could pack in my carry bag to take home, and in my opinion, just simply offered great food. Given the opportunity to experience these amazing eateries, I hope you'd agree:

Berlin, Germany:

Monsieur Vuong - I highly recommend this busy hot spot in the"Mitte" district in Berlin, not just for the cuisine, but also the ambiance. This French Vietnamese restaurant is a true delight. The flavours of the food and drinks are outstanding. My choice was the special of the day, a chicken dish with mango and coconut curry with shredded greens and toasted shallots on top, an iced green tea with lychee, mint and lime and the chicken salad starter with dumplings. My palette was sooooo excited and drowning in flavours, that it was a virtual party in my mouth. Yum! I'll miss not being in a position to access this little spot, with a big vibe, regularly. Until next time Berlin.

Melbourne, Australia:

MoVida Tapas y Vino - This small joint was so packed that I couldn't be accommodated the first time I set foot in the door. Now, being even more curious, lured by the decor, energy of the place and patrons willing to wait, I made a second attempt returning the following day. I was lucky to be offered a spot at the bar where seating was on a first come, first serve basis, since the reservation list was again full. It was a tapas restaurant unlike any I'd ever been to. The food was brilliant, but not plentiful. The servings were artful and small and the presentations photo worthy. I recall a sliver of onion that was so flavourful and amazing that I still dream of it to this day. The tapas selections I made were the spiced chicken escabache on a crisp crouton, the beetroot with buffalo milk curd and onion, marinated green olives with citrus, garlic and thyme and the salt cod in a pastry with egg. Not your typical tapas selections, right? In this case, change is good. Don't bypass MoVida Next Door, the more casual sister restaurant adjacent to MoVida. I had no time to take it in on this visit, which simply means, there will be another time.

Oslo, Norway:

Eataly - I remember it being a brisk evening in Oslo, as I walked alone looking for somewhere interesting to eat, when I can across this busy and well established restaurant, Eataly. Eataly is not your small Italian mom and pop restaurant, but instead offers locations worldwide. After spending a bit of time with the menu I decided on the pizza with prosciutto and mushrooms, always a favorite. To my expectation the thin crust pizza cooked in a wood burning oven was amazing and memorable to this day. The ingredients were fresh and the setting friendly. Though is was chilly outside, the patio was open and equipped with heat lamps, sheepskin chair bottoms and throw blankets in case you weren't deterred by the weather. I washed my pizza down with a nice glass of Chianti and called it a night. That evening is a moment not forgotten.

Zurich, Switzerland:

Tres Amigos - This cozy Mexican restaurant was just what I needed. The food was comforting and the margaritas sufficiently strong and yummy. The decor is festive with burgundy and mustard walls. Mexican tiles drape the stairs and appropriate Mexican style trinkets and souvenirs placed throughout help to create a warm and inviting space. For starters there were chips and assorted salsas, followed by a well spiced chicken fajita entre and chicken enchilada. I must admit, having traveled the world, realizing how difficult good Mexican cuisine is to find, Tres Amigo held it's own. To my surprise, I can honestly say that Tres Amigos was well worth the visit. By the look of the fully packed restaurant, it was evident that I was not alone in thinking so.

Paris, France: A moment in Paris

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 13:07:00 -0700

It's Gina's first ever trip to Paris, and as our luck would have it, there's not one day to spare, no day off. We rolled into town midday from Berlin, and drove straight to the venue to start work, setting up and preparing for the show the following night. The anxiety and expectation were high for all to go well, for the celebrity attendees and 75,000 sold out stadium crowd to see Lady Gaga's Paris performance. There was truly little, to no time, to see Paris this visit. It seems such a shame for Gina to be here, in the "city of lights", and not see even one landmark monument. That couldn't happen,......noooooo way! So, after a full days work, tired and in need of a break, we instead, hit the town to see what we could with the time that we had.....

First stop, L'Arc de Triumphe..... We got lucky, it was walking distance from our hotel.

We quickly nabbed some photo opts and strolled over to the famous Avenue des Champs Elysees.....

We passed the windows of Cartier and Louis Vuitton where we got a few more photos.... Without delay we walked briskly in the direction of La Tour Eiffel. You can't be in Paris and not visit the Eiffel Tower. After zigzagging through the streets of Paris to find it, we turned a corner and in plain sight, there it was, La Tour Eiffel. Gina was struck by it's size and magnificence. It was stunning! And as if just for us, shortly after we arrived, the hourly twinkling light show displayed brightly over the Tower as if lighting a Christmas tree. It was midnight magic.

We walked to the base of the Tower were there was a crepe stand and souvenir shop. Making the most of our brief French experience, we bought french berets and sweet and savory crepes and found a quiet spot along the nearby bridge to eat, all the while overlooking the Seine River. We reveled in the moment. It was the movie moment you usually dream of, sans the romantic lover, but instead, this time,......we really were in Paris!

Paris, Je t'aime et bonne nuit!

Paris, France: 'Round Midnight

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:54:00 -0700

Bonsoir Paris!
xx.

Koln, Germany: Another Trip Around the Sun

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:52:00 -0700

Since it's still my birthday month, I am surely entitled to recap on MY very special day and the good time that I had in Koln (Cologne), Germany.

Being another year older and another year wiser, I woke happy and a bit hung over. The celebrating had started hours earlier. Thanks wardrobe team and Absolute Grapevine!!!

After reaching Koln and exiting the bus curbside, I asked myself, "how could I be so lucky?" It happened to be a day off for me in Germany, and practically within reach was the stunning sight of Koln's landmark gothic cathedral. Lucky me! It was a dreamlike moment. Our hotel, Le Dom, was literally, a stones throw away from the church. Facing west, I had a front row view of the square and the evening sunset. This is what I woke to every morning and said goodnight to each night. It felt special,...and who doesn't want to feel special on her birthday.

Today's plan is to be pampered AND serviced,...and I say,....."Why not!" I freshened up and pulled myself together, before heading out with the girls to Sukon day spa for Thai massage treatments. It is within walking distance from the hotel. I can't think of a more perfect way to start the day. We got the works, head-to-toe body and foot massages. After a couple of hours of professional prodding and kneading and twisting and tweaking, we left there feeling relaxed and better than when we arrived. I'd highly recommend Sukon. The spa was clean, aromatic and tranquil. Secretly, I think it's becoming my birthday ritual to treat myself, or be treated, to a day of R&R. I don't think there's a better gift than the gift of peace of mind, body and soul.

Following the spa we walked back to the hotel and met up with friends at the hotel bar,... where else.

We got a jump start on drinks before strolling through Old Town to find a meal. We settled on the Argentinian Steakhouse, Poncho's. The place was packed. Always a good sign..... We waited briefly to be accommodated, managing to fill the time at the beer bar next door until our table was called. Once seated we dined on lots of fine cuts of beef, potatoes, Malbec wine and sangria. The restaurant was energetic and our waiter lively. I thought that it was the perfect setting for our celebratory evening.

We stuffed our bellies and drank well before making our way back to Le Dom. It had been a wonderful evening, and I am thankful for wonderful friends. I might add that my day ended as beautifully as it began. Literally, moments after entering my room to receive the spectacular nighttime view of the cathedral just steps away, the church bells sounded to the stroke of midnight. It was that Cinderella movie moment without all the fuss. There was no glass slipper, no pumpkin, and there was no prince..... It was just me and MY church bells. Yep. For me, the sound of church bells ringing is special because they're synonymous with Europe. I rarely, if ever hear church bells in America. The sound evokes warm thoughts and good memories, and for that, I couldn't ask for a better ending to an already perfect day. Goodnight Koln!!! Sweet dreams and farewell.....

Copenhagen, Denmark: Day 1 & Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:00:00 -0700

What an exhilarating day!!! We reached Copenhagen after having come from Stockholm by ferry, getting us into town early eve. Chasing daylight and feeling the need to explore a bit we immediately hit the streets in typical Danish fashion,..... on bicycle. We conveniently rented them from the hotel and quickly hit the streets. My first notice were the appropriate and very useful stoplights for bikers. Ahhhh,...impressive.

In addition to the lights, we found it easy to navigate through the streets of Copenhagen thanks to the many bike lanes woven throughout town. It only makes sense considering the cycling culture in the city.

Not far from our hotel was Tivoli Gardens, the second oldest amusement park in the world and most visited in Scandinavia. I learned that it was built in the mid 19th century as a distraction for people from politics of the day. It was thought that if people had something to preoccupy themselves with outside of their thoughts, they'd have no time to be concerned with the more important matters at hand. At times, it seems as though that philosophy still holds true today, considering some of the senseless and non thought provoking media programming and visual stimulates we're barraged with these days. Hmmm, some things never change.

Unfortunately, due to time, we didn't get to visit the grounds of the park, but instead, had to settle for a peek beyond the gates. From what I could see, the park was beautifully maintained, fanciful and lively.

Tivoli Gardens Amusement Park entrance.

Across the road from Tivoli is City Hall and the City Hall Square. Like most open area squares in Europe or the likes. It's festive with local street acts, artists, musicians, passersby and pigeons. We continued on in search of a meal.

City Hall and City Hall Square.

On the streets of Copenhagen

We pit stopped at a currency exchange on one of the main pedestrian shopping streets along the way.

pedestrian shopping street.

We used these Lady Gaga promo posters as a marker to park our bikes, while taking time out to carry on by foot to find a spot to eat.

In lieu of our meal, here we are treating ourselves to gelato, churros and crepes.

Mr. Crepe maker.

Yum, nutella and banana

The girls getting gelato.

Crepes,.....banana and nutella,.....sugar with lemon..... We did eventually sit down for a proper meal, but some sugary crepes and gelato never hurt anybody. Yum!

Copenhagen, Denmark: Day 2

Lucky me, I found a bit more time to take in Copenhagen again. This time it would be the Copenhagen sight seeing Cliff Notes version,.....the Hop On Hop Off bus. I loved it! Provided that the weather conditions are cooperative, the bus is always a fine way to go. It takes you to all the pertinent "must-see" landmarks in most any city, makes rounders so that you can take your time exploring before continuing on and travels to more distant parts of town that I'd might not otherwise travel to or see. You get your photo opts from a great vantage point and get to learn about the sights, through the provided headsets, along the way. I don't prefer to look like the obvious tourist, but hey, it's an option and sometimes a girls got to do, what a girls got to do.

Here I am on the bus passing by the harbor.

Tourist viewing the Little Mermaid.

Little Mermaid vendor.

The Little Mermaid statue and me.

Here I am at the famous landmark and "must-see" statue in Copenhagen, the Little Mermaid. I didn't realize that the fairy tale and animated film of the same name were inspired by this little statue. She's the story of a sea creature willing to give up her life at sea to gain a human soul for the likes of a prince. Hmmmm,.....yeah, definitely a fairy tale.

Well, below are photos of my day and the bus trip around town. It's the quickest way I know to say that I saw a city. Thankfully, this isn't my first time in Copenhagen. Haven been here before I can honestly say that I find it to be a friendly and inviting city. The people are warm, open and optimistic. It's without a doubt a place I'd love to spend more time in and revisit. But until then, this will have to do.....

Tivoli Gardens.

Bikes! Bikes! Bikes!.....

Street art....

The Royal Palace.

The end of the Hop On Hop Off bus tour. :(

Time to go to work.

THE END

Dublin, Ireland: Hot Tottie

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 02:17:00 -0700

With September half over, we're soon into fall. If not already, it will soon be time to cover up and pull out those parkas and overcoats. Dublin has already seen a few brisk and wet days. It's not my imagination, but, everyone around me is desperately trying to scathe off the dreaded cold, flu, sore throat, and cough.

Remembering mom or grandma's classic cold remedy of honey, lemon and whiskey, for those unwelcomed sneezes and sniffles, what a better time then now, while in the land of great whiskeys, to offer up a recipe for the classic "hot tottie."

Cheers to good health!

Hot Tottie Recipe

Ingredients:

1 oz Jameson Irish whiskey (I'm in Dublin for Godssake!). Rum, scotch or bourbon works too.
1 Tbsp honey
1/4 lemon
1 cup hot water
1 tea bag (optional)
4-5 cloves

Preparation:

Coat the bottom of a mug or an Irish coffee glass with honey.
Add the liquor and the juice of the lemon quarter and cloves.
Heat water in a tea kettle and add the tea bag (black tea preferred) or simply, hot water.
Pour the steaming tea, or hot water, into the glass and stir.
Add a cinnamon stick.
Enjoy!

Dublin, Ireland: The Old Jameson & Son Whiskey Distillery

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:31:00 -0700

Today I learned a bit about whiskey. There was a small crew of us that headed to the Old Jameson Distillery here in Dublin for a lesson in spirit making. The tour started with an informative film clip explaining the history of the company followed by a guided tour explaining the step-by-step process of whiskey making--malting, gristing, distilling and fermenting. There were also tastings and of course, a bar and gift shop to purchase and taste mixed drinks. It was exciting and informative. I broadened my knowledge and learned the differences between whiskey, scotch and bourbon. At the end of it all, we were rewarded with a "smile", aka cocktail, made some overpriced purchases from the gift shop and walked away happy. I should note that it didn't go without mention that the Guinness Brewery was across the street. Already been there and done that.....

Not much further to go....

A tasting....

Vintage J. Jameson & Son Whisky.

The Jameson bar.

Whisky processing.....

The tasting room.....

A tasting of Irish Jameson whisky, Scotch and Jack Daniels. Who do you think was picked? In my opinion, the Jameson was by far the cleanest and most smooth. The Jack had much more bite to it and the Scotch was far too smokey in taste for my liking. I'm sold,.....Jameson it is.

The Jameson Distillery gift shop and entrance. Tshirts anyone???

Raspberry Liqueur, cranberry and lime
juice and Jameson whisky.

Before......

After.....

After the Jameson tour we went to Leo Burdock's, the famous Fish n' Chips diner. It's my understanding that when in Dublin one must taste Burdock's. There are multiple locations around town but we ended up at the one near the Temple Bar. All I know is that I finally got my fish n' chips fix, Yay! The cod was crispy and the chips crunchy,....I added the garlic dipping sauce and voila!

Leo Burdock's Fish ' Chips.

My fish n' chips.

The End

Dublin, Ireland: Indian Restaurant -- Jewel in the Crown

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:00:00 -0700

Last night, as a party of eight, we collected for an amazing meal of Indian fare at Jewel in the Crown in celebration of Lee's birthday. The restaurant sits conveniently doors away from the touristy and famous Temple Bar in the heart of Dublin. The area is ambient with a well preserved medieval feel, narrow cobblestone roads and Victorian walk up storefronts. As for the restaurant, it is small, quaint and unpretentious. Our table was situated on the lower level in a small dining room towards the front of the building. The room was shallow due to the low ceiling and tight seating. I have to be honest, the food was extremely tasty and well worth the experience, but, the overly soiled carpet throughout the restaurant was a bit off putting at first. The waite staff was kind and accommodating, making up for any lack in the decor. We shared bottles of Chilean Merlot and still water, samosas, kebabs, onion bhaji and poppadoms for starters. I chose the chicken korma and garlic naan as my entre, the usual. I tend to stick with what's familiar.

Indian cuisine

As the evening was still young, after dinner we continued on in search of Kehoe's. A traditional Irish pub dimly lit and moderately crowded, where we drank Guinness and Irish whisky,.....what else. As for me, I couldn't get down much more than ginger ale. I had found my limit, or should I say, my limit had found me. Ha ha.

Kehoe's Irish Pub

In all, it was a full and much needed evening of fun, great food, good laughs and friendly chatter.

Stockholm, Sweden: Helsinki to Stockholm

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 4 Sep 2012 07:46:00 -0700

It was the end of a gorgeous and full day of travel, having made our way through the Swedish fjords in the Baltic Sea. We had traveled twelve hours on the Galaxy ferry boat from Finland to Sweden, our final stop being Stockholm. Once in town and on limited time, there was little for much else besides a bite to eat or turning in.

I quickly joined a couple of friends and headed out to Akkurrat. A popular and well respected high end beer bar on the outskirts of town, serving bar food to the likes of salads, samplers and English-style chips and mussels. I'm not into beer, nor mussels, so I can't say that I would have considered this destination on my own, but thanks to the beer aficionado in the bunch, I'm thankful for the experience. My eyes were opened to a beer culture that I never knew existed. Akkurrat is by far a beer connoisseurs dream. Not knowing beer, but, recognizing good ambiance and good company I can say that Akkurrat lent itself to that too. After sharing a plate of goat cheese salad, chicken fingers, chips and mussels, we were quite stuffed and heavy with fatigue. Two beers into the evening and two hours later, we found ourselves in the back of a taxi headed back to the hotel.
In all, it was a great day and evening. Now, if only there were more time in town to explore Stockholm. Oh well, next time,.....I better get some shut eye for my lengthy workday tomorrow. Good night Sweden!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 3 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0700

.....AND MANY MOREEEEEEEE!!!!!

Helsinki, Finland: My 12 Hour Day.....

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:00:00 -0700

7:00 a.m. On the morning ferry in Tallin, Estonia headed to Helsinki, Finland.
Thick morning marine layer. Good Bye Tallin!

7:30a.m. Ferry sundeck.

8:00a.m. Breakfast.

8:30a.m. Gina's thrill and excitement. Her first ferry ride ever. Yay!!!

Hmmmmm.

Sunrise. Tallin, Estonia. Departing for Helsinki.

The Tallin Superstar Ferry.

Morning joy.

Anyone seen the toilet?

How shall we pass the time? Supermarket?
Shopping Mall?

All aboard.

A zen moment traveling the Baltic Sea.

Calming seas.

Two hours later. 9:30a.m.

Exiting. What awaits us today?

Welcome to Helsinki. 9:45a.m.

Here we go yet again. Our caravan disembarks.

They await.

Home away from home.

Art and Design Museum. Helsinki, Finland.

Street crossing. Looking for food.

On our way to the harbor.

Eco friendly lifestyle. Bikes! bikes! bikes!

Found the Marimekko flagship store.

Still admiring this glassware set from two years ago.
Just buy it already!!!

Strips and polkadots. Marimekko.

Marimekko textiles.

Me in front of the Marimekko store.

Admiring the Marimekko table cover.

Harbor Farmers Market.

Harbor Farmers Market. Wrap it up! End of day. Time to go.

Uspenski Orthodox Church.

Uspenski Orthodox church, again.

Boats docked at the harbor.

Reindeer fur for sale. Poor Rudolph. :( No comment.

Ah, Finland!

Finnish Lutheran Cathedral near the harbor and a pedestrian street.

Lady Gaga fans camped outside her hotel. They await.
Oh, Little Monsters!.....

Sidewalk cafe. Finally! Time for a meal. 6:30p.m.

Yes!... Ahhhh, refreshing beverage. :)

My panzanella salad before my pizza. So fresh!
I'm excited and so hungry. Yum!!!

The End

Bucharest, Romania: Street scene.....

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:00:00 -0700

From Romania with love.....
xx.

Burcharest, Romania: Lipscani, Old Town

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 14:10:00 -0700

Romania souvenir shop. Clay figurines.

Much, this time, as the last, referencing my first visit to Romania while on tour with Michael Jackson years ago, there was little time to explore much of what Bucharest has to offer.

It's all a bit foggy and a distant memory now, but what I do know, is that on a grey day in September of '96, the breaking news of the day, via TV, not internet, was that Tupac Shakur had died from multiple gun shot wounds sustained from an altercation had days earlier. Odd, but true, this is one of my more poignant memories from my first, ever, visit to Bucharest. I'd rather be sharing stories of a great time had at street cafes and local pubs, but that was not my experience. It's interesting, what clouds ones memories.

In general though, I remember Bucharest as a city that overall felt dark and depressed. In a word, sad. The streets seemed desolate, the buildings old and unkempt, trees and grass, a bit thirsty and the roads in need of repair. Hmmmmm, that could also sum up Detroit.

Anyway, I'm thankful for a second chance to experience Bucharest, to see a city seemingly very alive and well. From my observation, I could see the obvious efforts toward gentrification of the historic Old Town in particular, also known as, Lipscani. Businesses were thriving and tourist were evident.

Streets of Lipscani, Old Town.

Myself and friends walked the pedestrian streets and alleys of Lipscani, being entertained by street performers and people watching. The streets were full of hustle and bustle, with cafes, restaurants and night clubs, spilling over. We blended in, stopping for a bite, al fresco, near the Rembrandt Hotel at the Grand Cafe Van Gogh. I'd definitely recommend it. The vibe was chill and charming, and the setting casual. I had a ham and cheese toastie and the burning lemon and Bols strawberry drink. Nice.

Grand Cafe Van Gogh

We roamed a bit more, seeking photo opts and souvenirs before finding The Tiki Bar. A wonderfully small space, with an eclectic groove, Maori inspired wall art and bamboo upcycled light fixtures, attracting local hipsters and tourist alike. The star of the show and masterful mixologist, is an expat from South Africa who, upon request of your palette, will almost magical concoct a brew of spirits to ensure you wanting more. We loved it!!! We were so inspired that we felt compelled to leave the bar with signed and dated tiki glasses as souvenirs. Our server extraordinaire seized the opportunity to get us familiar with Palinka, a Hungarian moonshine of sorts. All I'll say about that is, smoooooooooth!!!

Palinka

The Tiki Bar

While in Old Town we made time to visit the Old Court Church known as the oldest church in Bucharest and a sort of hub in Old Town. The original site dates back to the mid 1500's. It was worth the trip.

Old Court Church interior.

Rounding out a great afternoon and evening my friends and I stopped at Gyro Thessalonikis for the most amazing souvlakis. By far, one of the best I've had in a long while. Yum! It was also a great chaser for our Palinka and tiki drinks.

Gyro Thessalonikis in Liscani. Bucharest, Romania.

Gyro guy.

Well, until next time Bucharest.

Seoul, S. Korea--Olympic Stadium

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 2 Aug 2012 15:54:00 -0700

Lady Gaga concert. Olympic Stadium, S. Korea.

I have been on a brief hiatus from blogging, but, was inspired to write a word or two when I came across this photo I shot this spring in Seoul, S. Korea at the Olympic Stadium (1988). I think I was more taken with the prominence and significance of the Olympic rings, than the Lady Gaga banner beneath it, considering my daily dose of sport this past week. By no means am I an athlete, nor athletic, but, with the 2012 summer Olympic games in full swing, I revere and can appreciate the determination and discipline displayed by all of the world class athletes. Like many, I'm lured to the tube each day in awe of their achievements.

Having traveled the globe with music tours for years, it struck me that I've had the good fortune and opportunity to work in Olympic Stadiums many times over the years. I'm the nostalgic type, so I tend to find it thrilling to recognize the relevance of the venues we've performed in. Just think, in some instances I've walked through the shadows of history and and in the footsteps of great accomplishments.

A fond memory comes to mind. I'll teasure and value the time and experience I had in Germany while touring with Michael Jackson in '96. We performed in a venue next to the original Olympic Stadium in Berlin. As for the gig, it was business as usual. As for the venue, I was quite taken with the brief history lesson I learned that particular day. A small group of us took time out to tour the grounds of the old stadium, walking through the underground paths and walkways built for Adolph Hitler to safely access his position in the stands of the 1936 summer games and other events. What struck me then, and what sticks with me to this day, is that we performed and shared the same space where, in 1936, Jessee Owens, an American, but for the sake of history, I'll note that he was a black man, stole the thunder of those summer Olympic games. Recognized as a champion and honored for winning four gold medals in the track and field events, he brought shame to Hitlers' ideals of white racial supremacy. I remember getting chills knowing that I was in the presence of such history.

Olympic Stadium (1936). Berlin, Germany

Fast forward to this spring. While touring with Lady Gaga and after weeks of rehearsals and prep in Los Angeles, myself and an entourage of cast and crew flew to Korea to perform the first of many shows throughout Asia, Australia and New Zealand. She has launched her Born This Way Ball.

Once in Korea, there was plenty to do--costume fittings, learning stage cues, sewing, stiching, etc. Aside from our very own amazing wardrobe team, we were staffed with an additional team of professionals from Milan who were on hand to help assist with fittings and alterations on a number of costumes. We were our own little "sweat shop". Through communication in "broken Italian"and managing a game of charades to communicate with our locally hired Korean wardrobe ladies, we were a collective of united nations.

A big shout out and mention is in order for our extended team. Go team Versace and our lovely wardrobe assistants!!! We couldn't have gotten through it without you.

Team Versace.

Wardrobe locals.

Leading up to show day, and realizing that this was my second time performing at this venue, I learned that I had made a bit of history of my own. It is said that Lady Gaga's Born This Way Ball, with a 70,000 crowd capacity, was the highest in attendance this venue has seen since Michael Jackson. I take pride in knowing that I was present and a member of the wardrobe team for both. Woo hoo!!!

Show day.