The Annual Riverside Cafe Reunion
What is there to do at Christmas time in Vero Beach? After you’ve recovered from your 26-hour home-flight oddssey, talked with Mom and Dad, caught up with your brothers and sisters, listened to your Grandparent’s same stories and dodged all those “We’re ready for grandkids” comments, where do you go?
Read MoreTwenty-six hours to Vero
My ass is flat. I’m only one third the way to Florida and my ass is already flat. It’s flat from the book I’ve sat on for the last three hours. The book I need to sit at this desk correctly, so I can type like mad during my layover at Charles du Gaulle airport. I’m a WiFi addict, and need my fix.
Read MoreRue Bliss Ain’t Happiness
Do you feel that stop signs are suggestions vs. requirements? That stop lights are advisements vs. law? That one-way streets are too restrictive? Then you’d love Beirut driving. No rules, no though, all balls and bravery, Beiruties don’t slow for stop signs, don’t stop for stop lights, and find one-ways’ disgusting instead of directional. Into any intersection, at anytime, they drive, not slowing for others, not even looking in your direction less they show a sign of weakness and be required to stop.
Read MoreMonday Night = Beirut Party Night
Monday night, midnight, so maybe even Tuesday morning, and I am in Cuba Libre, the Beirut bar, not the drink, and Ali and I’m out with friends pouncing on a bottle of vodka. Che might not be happy, think we should be on the rum wagon, but I don’t care. The hottest Beiruties are here and my eyes are soaking up the beauty.
Read MoreA Vodka Gimlet Is All I Ask
I stopped in the little shop across the way and for some odd reason, felt it was high time I tried arak, the Lebanese moonshine.
Whoa, damn! Burning my throat, blurring my vision, and blunting my brain, it had me stumbling blind drunk across town to my hotel. Screaming at the Ministries building for being in my way, until the nice men with guns chased me off? Check! Babbling Russian with a random cab driver as he was changing a tire in the middle of Rue Bliss? Check! Being questioned by armed security guards three times in three blocks? Check thrice!
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