Dallas, Texas: Onyx Nail Spa & Bar

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

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

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

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

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!!!