Travel Tales: Copenhagen Day 3 – Rolling Down The Streets…
Another good day in Copenhagen. I realized that I can start most of my days around 10am since nothing opens before 11am for the most part. I did decide to leave a little early though with the hopes that my wheels would be tucked in the stash spot and sure enough it was! So clean after the rain fall earlier in the day. Since I had my bike still, it only made sense that the first stop be the farthest point I had to go- The Little Mermaid statue. Word is that she is the most photographed individual in the world. The bike started to suck as I think it was slightly broken because it was three times the work of any other bike and people where flying past me like I was cruising in Prospect Park with the Saturday bikers pack.
I made it to the statue in about 10 minutes and sure enough as soon as I pulled up the rain stared falling…correction pouring down on me (that is the dot and marks you see in the photo in the gallery). Thankfully the rain scared away the group of tourists (who were hogging all the good spots) like if they were the Wicked Witch. It is a wonderful site to see the statue set in the water gifted to the city by Carl Jacobsen (same one from yesterday) after seeing the ballet based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. Next was back on the bike and off to see the a couple other sites as I headed to the changing of the Royal guard.
Travel Tales: Iceland Day 4 – Reykjavik Round Up
So today was another shorter stint on the town. I figured I should do one more “only in Iceland” thing and that was Whale Watching. I made the reservation and she said “We will pick you up between 12 and 12:45.” What am I dealing with the cable company?!? Moving forth- First order of business is food. I figured I should try an classic of waffles with potatoes. The waitress looked very confused when I asked for this as she stated “together? I don’t think we have that combination? you want them on top or on a separate plate?” Eventually, I described it to her and got my request. When the plate came out, I realized they serve jam with a lot of things. After the first bite, the food was like the cereal box setup – it looks great on the box but taste doesn’t reflect it.
After breakfast, I made a quick run to the supermarket betting that the pickup would be closer to 1245 and sure enough I was correct. We headed out to for about one hour until we got to an area where the likelihood of seeing a whale was high. (more…)
Travel Tales: Iceland Day 3 – The Artsy Fartsy Tourist
So Thursday was my “time to be a tourist” day. What does that mean you ask? Well it is composed of “eat, sleep and see it” (like what i did right there dontcha) all day. I got up somewhere near 11am central time and got about 8 hours of sleep for the first time in my adult life. After taking care of some business, I figured it was time for some breakfast/brunch being that it was approaching 1pm. As I walked the streets of Reykjavik, I noticed how trendy and hip the main street is, almost like a condensed NY in the sense of the various eateries. There were Chinese food, Italian, Indian, Nepalese, Middle Eastern, American (Ruby Tuesdays omfg) and Icelandic food. I went Indian which was a great way to start the day.
After that I went on my see it mission and visited the Reykjavik Art Museum (more…)
Travel Tales: Iceland Day 1 from Brownsville to Reykjavik
After having a shitastic last week that was accompanied by flirts of happiness, I finally landed in Reykjavik [re-kee-ya-vik], Iceland. The flight had a very interesting set of events as my neighbor was asked to switch seats so two people could squeeze into the emergency exit together only to move again within minutes of take-off. That is all I remember from the flight as I was asleep very quickly for the duration of the trip. The process of from airport to hotel was one of the smoothest I have ever been a part of in my life. After finally getting my phone setup and checking with my family, my eyes told me to go to sleep. When I woke up I decided it was time to hit the town and boy what an experience! First, I got lost and then proceeded to wander around aimlessly. After getting over feeling like I was in 28 Days due to my isolation (no zombies), I realized that this is the best way to see the town because every turn is new and exciting vs following a set path to reach a site.
After a quick loop around downtown, I needed to eat and luckily being a vegetarian in Iceland isn’t that hard as there are several places that cater to the veganish diet. I stopped off at A Naestu Grosum to get my meal.
I needed to walk that off, so it was back on the road again. This time I was lost in my reminiscing of my final days in the states and the gray skies were a metaphor for what was going on with me. I sat talking to myself and thinking about everything and trying to find out what the best solution was and just like that a rainbow appeared (see above)! This truly turned my day around and I just started walking and thinking. The rainbow brought me to think that the treasure map is not lost at all, just needed to be tested. The rest of my day was spent walking (saw another sign – “it’s ok…” written on a bench) and snacking (carrot cake pictured below) as I just wanted to see the town. There is a certain quiet that blankets the entire town as you walk the narrow main streets. There is an abundance of eateries ranging from Indian to Thai to Mexican and standard pub fares. The weather is slightly chilly with a constant sea breeze. I assume that since the it isn’t high-summer time and school is in session, the streets will generally be quiet. I was supposed to go on a Northern Lights trip but it got canceled due to the likelihood of not seeing them tonight.
This trip is just beginning but I feel happy that I decided to go through with my big random adventure for the year. Very few people understand why I would go to Iceland. Here I am born on the tiny island of St. Vincent in the West Indies; grew up in Brownsville, Brooklyn then college in Ann Arbor, Michigan; back to Crown Heights in Brooklyn now standing in the middle of Reykjavik on vacation (random road trips and such have been left out for various reasons).
Thank you.
Recap of Spike Lee’s Michael Jackson Birthday Party
The posthumous power of Michael Jackson continued on Saturday as Spike Lee threw a birthday party for him in we Brooklynites’ claim to grass aka Prospect Park. There were easily over 1,000 people dancing through the rain soaked ground for a little over 5 hours as guests, including politicians, celebrities and the general audience came out to celebrate Michael’s 51st birthday. The power of Michael and his music were evident in the diverse and friendly setting that blanketed the park, as you had all makes of people out and about infectiously dancing, smiling and mouthing the words to Michael’s songs. I enjoyed seeing the impersonators – especially Black and White Mike dance in lockstep to several of MJ’s songs. You have to understand these two guys met in the press pit, for what I assume to be the first time, and reenacted Michael’s moves without a flaw. The musical selection, while great, left me with a slight gripe as there were several of the popular tunes replayed throughout the course of the day.
It is Michael and I have no problems with hearing P.Y.T., Beat It, Thriller and the list goes on, 2 or 3 times but when you get that count up to 5 or 6 and more often back to back playbacks you are left to wonder what about his other music. Easily the King of Pop has songs to span over 5 hours, while all are not dance/party-tempo friendly, the majority of his catalog contains songs that you can’t help but succumb to and groove.
White socks, glitter gloves, posters and bootleggers were all abundant to honor the King of Pop. All in – Spike Lee, NYC Parks, and all the people who helped make this happen did a phenomenal job on organizing, relocating and executing a birthday celebration that will go down in history for the positive vibes and the good, clean fun it provided. I look forward to seeing what he does with the footage. Below is a sneak peak at the pictures I shot from the event, I have many more that will be online later tonight.
John Forte – Accoustic Performance for Music Unites Recap
John Forte performed songs off of his Style Free EP in a small penthouse setting -- I believe intimate is the term bandied about for such a venue- in support of Music Unites. The space was a splendid panoramic view of downtown Manhattan and the bridges that serve as the veins into the city from Brooklyn. John’s tracks showcased his new voice and approach to music, as he is now a singer/songwriter and no longer just John the rapper. His new voice and approach is one that takes his lyrical exercise two reps deeper. Like that burning sensation that tells you to quit as you do your last dip -- but instead of quitting you push through because you know the impacts and results, while not instant, will have a long term benefit.
The show was another good one. Comparing this to the first session he did post-release, you notice a more comfortable John. One that is in a new lane as he smiled through his performances and with the crowd before the show. He made the crowd part of the performance as he joked with them and brought them a level closer to who he was. The place was packed with a crowd which was a mix of supporters of his; supporters of Music Unites and supporters of open bars. I enjoyed the music and still feel there is a lot more to be unlocked from his brain and experiences and ultimately shared with the world. I, world awaits you John.
Below is one video from his performance. Look for additional videos and photos -- but it is an ungodly hour (what does that even mean. really) to be up right now.
October 6, 2009 | Categories: Audio + Video, Commentary | Leave A Comment »