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America, Caribbean, Countries

If you like Pina Colada and Puerto Rico

28th October 202428th October 2024 funtime65

Now with apologies to Randy Newman… if you like Pina Colada and Puerto Rico come with me and escape.

The creamy pineapple juice and rum cocktail shouts the tropics but few of us could identify its island of origin.

Naturally though Puerto Ricans promote their island under the cocktail umbrella of their famous party drink.

Whose modern iteration is 60 years old this year.

Which, of course, we celebrated on their stand at the American travel fair, IPW, in Los Angeles.

Cream of the Caribbean

The Puerto Ricans, of course, mark the Pina Colada with its own festival held every July.

When get this, you can salsa, sing and party and get silly at $4 a cocktail in any one of 40 bars and restaurants in old San Juan.

In truth our Puerto Ricans have been getting silly as far back as the 19th century.

When Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí concocted the brew to boost the morale of his crew,

We pick up the pina colada timeline again in 1924 when National Geographic magazine, reported from the island

And mentioned a pineapple juice and crushed ice beverage, known locally as piña fría (cold pineapple).

Dumped on

And so how did we get here and why today?

Well because unprovoked the good people of Puerto Rico have only been thrust into the American presidential race.

When one of Donald Trump’s warm-up acts at his Madison Square Garden showpiece rubbished Puerto Rico as an island of garbage.

And all this going on when Puerto Rico is readying itself for another of its popular annual fests.

Festival of fun

The Festival Nacional Indigena which does what it says on el tin and runs from November 15-17.

When we dare say there will be an influx of visitors from the US to what is after all an American territory.

Worth an escape we think you’d agree if you like Pina Colada and Puerto Rico.

America, Countries

San Antonio is not my first rodeo

26th May 202316th June 2023 funtime65

San Antonio is not my first rodeo and God willing it won’t be my last American Travel Fair so gracias Texas, it’s been excelente.

And as I while away the time in San Antonio airport I’m relieved, as always, that I managed to stay on.

Buckin’ hell: The electronic one in Denver

It probably helps that my bull this time was plastic but I’m taking that as a victory anyway.

Particularly after the ignominy of my feeble efforts out West to stay on the electronic bull inside Denver Broncos’ Mile High Stadium.

With my fall being relayed to everyone in the stadium on the big screen.

More action

But then they do say in showbiz you should always leave the audience wanting more.

We could all do with more of the type of entertainment and experiences San Antonio has to offer.

And the lasso artist twirling his rope as we entered Alamo Plaza was certainly giving us that.

We’d been here before with lassoing albeit under very different circumstances.

Good ol’ Southern Boys

When we witnessed a Good Ol’ Southern Boy in the bar where we were eating, lassoing along with the action on the screen.

And while we’re talking about southern boys a shout-out to the musical acts which have been entertaining us all week.

And in particular the cowboys, Bryce Leatherwood at the Aztec Theatre and Dierks Bentley.

Both of whom brought the house down.

See y’all next year y’all

Now as I make my way back across three flights I’ll console myself with the knowledge that San Antonio is not my first rodeo.

And the beauty of the American Travel Fair is that you meet people who will tell you where you can get your next rodeo.

And that’ll be Let’s Rodeo San Antonio where the crackers (that’s Texan for cowboys) will be riding out from next February 8-25.

Here’s a glimpse of this year’s action… so see y’all next year y’all.

America, Countries

The Alamo is one to remember

25th May 202329th May 2023 funtime65

It doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as well, the Mission San Antonio de Valero, but the Alamo is one to remember.

The heroic last stand by William Travis, Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett et al is now a shrine in the city that has built up around it in Texas.

Flying the flag: The foreign nationals who fought at the Alamo

And a hobby horse of Phil Collins (yes, that one) who has curated the biggest collection of artefacts.

From the 1836 battle between the Mexicans and Texans.

And donated it to the city of San Antonio.

We are in hallowed company the night we visit, the closing party for the American Travel Fair, the IPW.

Getting your Phil

Alas not Cowboy Collins but someone from the other side, the great, great something or other son of General Sant Anna.

Who just happens to be in our party being guided around the old church and the spanking new museum.

Sant Anna looms large over the Alamo, as does Travis, Crockett and Bowie, the latter who spent the battle in bed.

Not because he was lazy or cowardly, anything but because he had been struck down ill.

And went down maybe not with his boots on but shooting from his bed.

Plaza dazzler

The Alamo Plaza Historic District houses all things Mission San Antonio de Valero.

And all pilgrims which means tonight the couple of thousand delegates from our fair.

Paying homage to those Alamo heroes you’d hope around the beautifully-carved Cenotaph.

And also eating meaty barbecue Texan treats, craft beers and Margaritas from the stalls that have been erected for us.

From all around Texas, Corpus Christie, Houston, Dallas and all points in between.

And listening to the best Country and Southern Rock.

Lone star of the show

In Texas where everything is bigger they fill the night sky with symbols of the Lone Star State.

A rodeo rider, map outline of the nation’s second biggest state, guitar, barbecue sausage and Margarita among other delights.

While down on ground level we channel our own Bucking Broncos on a life-size model.

I smile when asked to fill out an indemnity form before climbing on Bully.

Before being stopped as I approach the Alamo by a dapper Texas ranger who alerts me that my calf is leaking blood.

War wounds

I am donning my Davy Crockett raccoon hat I bought earlier on the River Walk.

I feel heroic with my battle wounds and can share with y’all…

The Alamo is one to remember.

America, Countries, Cruising, Culture

Friday nighters’ splash in San Antonio

24th May 202324th May 2023 funtime65

So I dipped my toe in the water today on my Texas trip… and happen if I stay to the end of the week I’ll be joining the Friday nighters’ splash in San Antonio.

I got my feet wet but never my trademark Bandana with an early-morning swim in the open-deck pool at the Westin Riverwalk Hotel.

Before taking to the Riverwalk again… on foot.

Obvious you might think but weekend revellers have been known to end up in the drink.

Which we discovered on our excellent Go Rio Cruises jaunt down the San Antonio River.

Margarita time

Most of which I’ve forgotten… you’ll forgive me but booze had been taken, Margaritas in one of those plastic yard glasses.

So beloved in Sin City Vegas.

Now despite being named for a saint, San Antonio’s citizens and visitors here know how to sin with bars hugging the riverfront.

Just as well then that the river was named and blessed by a priest.

With its bridges a favourite vantage point for weddings and Jennifer Lopez and Sandra Bullock chickflicks.

Feathered chicks proliferate on the river, sleepy ducks, well you would be in this 30C heat.

And if you’re lucky you might get to see Mother Turtle and her offspring.

Or the caricature version for the kiddies.

Cruise San Antonio

The riverboat cruise is an absolute pleasure with the knowledgeable guides breezing through San Antonio history.

And pointing out buildings which were physically moved from one point to another on stilts.

This being a river then naturally it has been at the mercy of the elements.

And you’ll learn of the challenges of a flood which rose to 10ft.

It pays then to have God on your side.

And San Antonians built ornate churches by the river complete with gargoyle grotesques carved into the exterior.

Some of which look like me after a night of post-partying at IPW, the American Travel Fair, more of which later.

Fun on the water

Back at the pool: At the Westin Riverwalk

And with that I must return to dry land, another riverside bar or restaurant.

And listen to another mariachi band and keep an eye out for a floral parade which is sure to pass by.

Now taking a bend in thus here tale, much like the San Antonio river did I not set you some homework.

To tell me about a famous fortification where we will bring this party to an end tonight.

The Friday nighters’ splash in San Antonio will have to wait.

Tonight, I’ll get someone to hold my drink, I’m off to fight at the Alamo.