Came down to Santo Domingo for the weekend (first time since 1999) to see the Silvio show at the National Theater on Saturday. A few thoughts on the show and being in the DR again:
CHANGES
Lots of new overpasses, tunnel and roads. But still, traffic was horrendous, with the same clouds of exhaust I came to know and love in the 90s. The airport, though, has gotten much better -- no aggressive "maleteros," and very organized. Greeted with the traditional rum and coke - nice!
THE HOTEL
I stayed at the Marriott Courtyard on Maximo Gomez. Everything -- the rooms, the service, the food -- was excellent, but the pool was tiny. Went over to the Jaragua pool and paid for a day pass. People at the Marriott semed to be of a higher level than those at the Jaragua.
THE PRESIDENTE
Still among the best things on Earth. Don't approve of Presidente "Light." Best Presidente of the trip: one in a paper bag outside the red colmado near the hotel.
THE PEOPLE
Still warm, friendly and hospitable. Spent two afternoons with my ex in-laws, who welcomed us with open arms, and one with a friend and his wife and kids. We ate "la bandera," drank cold beer, listened to Silvio & Pablo and talked for hours on his patio. Heaven.
THE RESTAURANTS
Was not that impressed with Il Cappuccino, despite the high prices. Much preferred Adrian's, where we ate delicious Mofongo while looking out on the Caribbean.
THE COLONIAL ZONE
Seemed the same to me. Smoking cigars and drinking Presidente outside El Museo del Jamon was the highlight.
THE BOOK FAIR
It was in full swing. Then a raindrop fell. Everyone ran for cover as if a bomb just went off. I had to explain to my friend about Dominicanas and their hair ...
THE CONCERT
Jorge Taveras, Sonia Silvestre and Jose Antonio Rodriguez opened the show. Then ... Silvio appeared. He was with a great band: two fellow acoustic guitarists, an acoustic bassist, a flautist (his wife) and a percussionist. Silvio himself looks like a pudgy, bald little gnome, but his voice was as good as ever, and the songs, of course, were magical. The show got bogged down a bit in the middle with lots of new stuff that the crowd obviously wasn't crazy about hearing, but then he started banging out classic after classic: Unicornio, Te Doy Una Cancion, Ojala, Cancion del Elegido and lots more. The entire audience was loudly singing the lyrics ... a heartwarming scene. He introduced a verse about Trujillo into "Cita con Angeles," and spoke a lot about his love for the DR. Then, two and a half hours later, it was over, and we walked out into the night feeling as if we had experienced something truly special. This man's music touches the heart like no other, and even at the age of 59 he can still bring tears to your eyes with one chord.
All in all, it was wonderful to be back in the DR. I can?t wait to return.
CHANGES
Lots of new overpasses, tunnel and roads. But still, traffic was horrendous, with the same clouds of exhaust I came to know and love in the 90s. The airport, though, has gotten much better -- no aggressive "maleteros," and very organized. Greeted with the traditional rum and coke - nice!
THE HOTEL
I stayed at the Marriott Courtyard on Maximo Gomez. Everything -- the rooms, the service, the food -- was excellent, but the pool was tiny. Went over to the Jaragua pool and paid for a day pass. People at the Marriott semed to be of a higher level than those at the Jaragua.
THE PRESIDENTE
Still among the best things on Earth. Don't approve of Presidente "Light." Best Presidente of the trip: one in a paper bag outside the red colmado near the hotel.
THE PEOPLE
Still warm, friendly and hospitable. Spent two afternoons with my ex in-laws, who welcomed us with open arms, and one with a friend and his wife and kids. We ate "la bandera," drank cold beer, listened to Silvio & Pablo and talked for hours on his patio. Heaven.
THE RESTAURANTS
Was not that impressed with Il Cappuccino, despite the high prices. Much preferred Adrian's, where we ate delicious Mofongo while looking out on the Caribbean.
THE COLONIAL ZONE
Seemed the same to me. Smoking cigars and drinking Presidente outside El Museo del Jamon was the highlight.
THE BOOK FAIR
It was in full swing. Then a raindrop fell. Everyone ran for cover as if a bomb just went off. I had to explain to my friend about Dominicanas and their hair ...
THE CONCERT
Jorge Taveras, Sonia Silvestre and Jose Antonio Rodriguez opened the show. Then ... Silvio appeared. He was with a great band: two fellow acoustic guitarists, an acoustic bassist, a flautist (his wife) and a percussionist. Silvio himself looks like a pudgy, bald little gnome, but his voice was as good as ever, and the songs, of course, were magical. The show got bogged down a bit in the middle with lots of new stuff that the crowd obviously wasn't crazy about hearing, but then he started banging out classic after classic: Unicornio, Te Doy Una Cancion, Ojala, Cancion del Elegido and lots more. The entire audience was loudly singing the lyrics ... a heartwarming scene. He introduced a verse about Trujillo into "Cita con Angeles," and spoke a lot about his love for the DR. Then, two and a half hours later, it was over, and we walked out into the night feeling as if we had experienced something truly special. This man's music touches the heart like no other, and even at the age of 59 he can still bring tears to your eyes with one chord.
All in all, it was wonderful to be back in the DR. I can?t wait to return.