AUTHOR: SalsaCrazy TITLE: Salsa in New York City - A Travelogue! [Final Part] DATE: Thursday, September 22, 2005 ----- BODY:

Ok, so the New York trip is officially behind me (finally), and I’m on my way back home, courtesy of Jet Blue. Plenty of leg room, dozens of channels of TV – who would choose any other airline to travel? I’m not looking forward to the six hour flight, but if ya’ gotta do it, I suppose this is the way. We’ve had turbulence the entire trip so far (no fun there).

I’m amazed at how quickly the time passed in New York – through the entire trip from beginning to end, it transpired in an instant. New York is so vibrant and pressing, it’s like time passes more quickly there than anywhere else. Tuesday I hit the CopaCabana again, Wednesday a final night at LQ, and then honestly, I was done dancing – I needed a break (yes, even SalsaCrazy needs a break). I spent the rest of my days on huge walking tours and hanging out with friends.

Bryant Park – ok, since this is my last email from New York, this is the last time (I promise), that I’m going to bring up Bryant Park. One day, sitting listening to Opera in the park, a friend called to tell me of an upcoming outdoor salsa concert - - guess where? That’s right. Bryant Park! As unbelievable as it sounds, there was a salsa concert taking place that very evening, in Bryant Park, with none other than Rey Ruiz (a classic sonero), and Orquesta Broadway (historic band, amazing). Wow – so, let me get this straight. There’s live opera and broadway musicals performed during the day, and mind-blowing salsa at night? Only in New York! Well, in a nutshell – the salsa was amazing. I saw Anthony Blea in the audience (from San Francisco – violinist, and band leader), whom actually got onstage and jammed with the band (Orq. Broadway – many of the songs that he plays of theirs in his band back at home). I met people whom recognized me from Puerto Rico, and even from the videos (uh-oh). Rey played “You’re my Everything” – his classic, incredibly sappy salsa rendition of this song. Broadway played amazing hit after hit, in their classic, charanga style. Wow – pretty amazing stuff! A huge crowd, a large number of dancers – it was simply the coolest thing. After that, a classy eatery in the Village, and you’ve got a pretty cool New York day, filled with dining, dancing, and . . .

Density! New York is just a dense, dense, place. From people walking around, to stores lining the streets, to food, to entertainment, you just can’t escape the amazing “density” of the place. Every few blocks is a completely encompassing, self-sufficient, and unique neighborhood. Very cool. Yet, with all the density, sometimes you’re struck by the amazingly impersonal nature of the place. The disconnection you can feel walking down the street, surrounded by people, and yet absolutely alone. It’s bewildering at times, but I can definitely see how New York might be the loneliest place on earth for many. Even in the parks, where people are pressed together, you’re simply amazed at the number of people eating alone, and the noticeable lack of PDA (New Yorker’s definitely don’t seem to be into that). To be surrounded by people, and yet so yearning for physical/emotional contact. It’s crazy. I could probably write some sociological study on this, but I’ll save it for another email.

The new hotel, now in “Korea” town, offered the opportunity for about six massage parlors and spas, plus dozens of Korean BBQ’s, all within walking distance. While I never did get that massage, I did have the BBQ, and it was awesome. You have all these classy, upscale places, within blocks of each other (sometimes right next door to each other) but we opted for a whole in the wall (the only place that had a line out the door). It was great stuff! Disregard the hype and always go where the lines are . . . at least for food choices in NY (especially applies to street vendors). Also, note that this hotel has a roof bar, and a fairly cool view of the Empire State building, looming directly above you. Very cool – but it closes absurdly early (by 12 or 1).

I know it sounds like I’m crazy about New York, and that perhaps I should just up and move there, but I’m still in love with the Bay Area and while I love to visit New York, I think the hectic pace of life there would wear on my happy, low key, and casual personality fairly quickly. It’s just too much to take in, which is why it such a fantastic place to visit, unlike anywhere else on earth. It was still hard to leave – with Larry Harlow, El Gran Combo, and Eddie Palmieri all scheduled to hit the club circuit next week. In addition, the New York salsa congress is rolling into town next week (which is not a big seller for me, since I’ve become completely bored by the Congressos). But, over the long term, I’m fairly certain a city like New York would be severely detrimental to my health, as I’d never find the time to relax, kick back, and smell the roses. And we all know – I like to do that a fair amount! Two months ago – this trip didn’t even exist, and as always, I’m amazed at the pace of life’s changes.

A quick note on the salsa scene, since no matter where I travel, I’m constantly amazed at how our salsa scene in the Bay Area is truly one of, if not THE, finest in the world. There is simply no where in the world I’ve traveled, from Asia to Eurpoe through Canada and most US cities, that rivals our amazing salsa dance scene here in the Bay Area. We have an enormous amount of talented bands and world class musicians, we have endless clubs and nightlife (usually multiple choice on any given night), and more importantly, we have a very friendly crowd, that welcomes newcomers and is just plain fun. I can’t think of a dance scene anywhere which offers all of these pieces, so readily. Even New York, a mecca of music and dancing, with 10x the population, can’t rival what we’ve created in the Bay Area. In many ways, their club scene is actually smaller than ours (as amazing as that sounds), and less diverse. While it is by no means as unfriendly as say, Miami – it lacks the warmth and camaraderie that we see in the Bay Area (yes, even with all of the petty infighting that goes on between what’s left of the dance troupe or promotion scene). Anyway, not to babble on, but it makes it a joy to come home, from each and every trip!

After this trip – I’m tired! I can easily just sleep for a week. However, I’m also ready to get back to work, invigorated to get the company working well, and start production on the new projects. I’ve got endless ideas, so it’s really going to be about which ones I actually have the time to follow up on.

Don't forget to visit, SalsaCrazy San Francisco Salsa Dancing Guide, and DanceSF: Salsa Dance School.

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