Freshly squeezed

On August 21, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Ibiza, Life, Travel/vacations1 Comment

There were too many options. Too many sources of stimulation. Despite a very active preceding day cycling from one end of Ibiza to the other and a very late night I was up again early – keen to carpe diem at Can Du.

Waking in a sleeping house, I quietly closed the kitchen door behind me. The bag of oranges awaited. This was after all one of the reasons I’d chosen to stay here – a delightful picture of several sliced with a tall glass of their juice on the website had looked so appetising, so appealing.

Through the fly screen I could see a few drops of rain. I reached inside the cupboard brought out the electric juicer and plugged it in. The oranges were soft and succumbed easily to being sliced open, juice running out of them onto the chopping board. I placed a half on the plastic fountain and pressed down.

The door opened. T walked in and immediately came over to check on progress. “There doesn’t seem to be much in this orange” I said. “That’s because you’re not using the correct method. I’ve been juicing for three years – let me show you how.”

I let him take over and walked over to the door. The rain was falling heavily now, splashing off the tiles, drenching the clothing hanging on the line.

I turned to watch the Juicer. Hand over the top of the orange with one finger from his other hand pressing down lightly on the dome. “You see, this method gets out every last drop” he said, taking the half off the machine to show me a bare interior.

I tried a couple more and then handed it over to the maestro while I went over to puruse the rain and debated whether I should run out to take the wet washing in.

Ashley arrived. “Good morning. What’s going on here, eh? You two juicing?” We both smiled at him. “Yes, that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

T started to concoct breakfast – some muesli, Greek yogurt, freshly squeezed orange pulp, a few seeds. “Would you like some fresh pineapple in your juice S?” he asked. “I would, please” I replied.

Ashley joined me at the fly screen. “Everything gets so wet here” he said. “Yes, I know, but look, it’s passed now” I replied, feeling the heat suddenly as the sun parted the clouds and made everything clear again.

Atzaro, you know how to do it

On July 25, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Fashion, Food and drinks, Ibiza, Parties, Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

‘Twas between shows at the Atzaro Fashion Festival 10th Anniversary and I was taking a quick pit stop at Nick’s bar. Well, not ‘Nick’s bar’ exactly, but he’d promised me a Caipiroska earlier in the evening and having worked as a bartender for four years here, I figured he knew his stuff.

We started to talk sayings. “If a frog had a glass ass he would break it every time he jumped” Nick said. “That was one my grandfather used to tell me.” I thought about it for a second as I looked at him mixing my drink. “That looks like a strong one, Nick, I’m not sure it’s going to make it easy for me to have this conversation with you.” “Don’t worry you’ll be fine, dude – I got you.”

He did indeed, and I made my way back into fashion land revived. The music got louder. Time to get a place down by the ‘runway’….but what was this? I spotted a ubiquitous hat and had to investigate further. “Excuse me – but is that a Pharrell hat?” I asked. “Um, that’s the wrong thing to say – he’ll tell you he had it first” the gentleman’s lady friend said. “Exactly, I wore this hat in the ’80’s – it’s a Vivienne Westwood.” “Wow – now that’s significant Vintage” I said, snapping a shot.

A drone whirred above me and I headed to the action as fast as my wooden clogs would take me. With shows from Podenco, World Family, Kurru Kurru and Felt by Natalie to name but a few, this was one Ibizan event that stimulated the fashion palate and created desire afresh for some of the delectable creations on show.

From sunset to dusk to a full golden spotlight on it’s glorious ‘runway’ Atzaro met the challenge head on over two evenings and produced one after the other sight for sore eyes. The audience was just as colourful as the collections and I got chatting to another couple: Francisco de Barcelona and Maria informed me they’d been together for ’10 years’ but that they weren’t ‘jealous’. I was still trying to work it out when he called after me “I need your telephone number! When I go to Dublin then I’ll give you a call!” Past the ethereal Podenco dogs and sundry other interesting sights and I was finally back in the quiet of the restaurant at this classy hotel. “How’s it going, Nick?” I asked. “Busy. Busy” he said. “Tell me about it” I said, “But, as the saying goes ‘Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration'”. Thanks to Rachel and the Atzaro team for a splendid time. Soundtrack tune ; ) : http://bit.ly/1nwKdFn

Another day in Paradise

On July 18, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Parties, Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

Jose swished through the beaded fly screen: “Doing anything for lunch today?” he asked as I lounged outside post breakfast watching the approaching storm clouds. “Well, actually no.” “Awesome! I just need to finish my abs – then we’ll go” he said.

One downpour later we headed off to the south of the island where the water is translucent turquoise and the residences truly sumptuous. We lunched from the heights overlooking a fisheye lens view of Mediterranean sea and then hopped back in the car again to see what we could see.

We came to a road block. “There’s no way they can stop us going down the road here, that’s outrageous” said Jose. “It’s against the law in Spain – it’s just not allowed.” He went up to the sentry box and spoke to the lady. Sure enough within a few moments the barrier was raised and we nipped through. “You see, I know my rights, S – that’s important.”

A winding cliff clinging road produced more breathtaking views and the spectacle of some super abodes. “Look at that one!” Jose cried. “These are the big hitters right here. That pool is virtually overhanging the ocean. Now that’s what I call inspirational real estate. Awesome! Thing is – wouldn’t you be kicking yourself if you spent €30 million on a villa, like this one, and then that guy came and built one in front of you!”

We stopped off for a swim in a cove that was hard to find and rewardingly devoid of the crowds we’d experienced elsewhere on a mid June day. Trees surrounded the small bay and turned the water a crystal emerald green.

A short power nap later and we were on the road again – back to party central at one of the most chic venues on this island. “Sunday evening was always the time to come here” I said. “It still is” Jose replied. “So my friends in London tell me.”

Beautiful people abounded, the VIP areas were many and the bottles of vodka the largest I’d ever seen.

I spoke to a Dutch lady as transfixed as anyone was by the sights of everyone checking everyone else out; it was the only thing to do really. “There are lots of gorgeous looking men here” she said to me. “Exactly” interjected Jose. If I had a beach club like this I’d have a strict policy – two girls to every guy, it’s way too unbalanced otherwise.” She and I looked at each other, took in the surrounding view and smiled.

The Lemon Drop express

On July 3, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Food and drinks, Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

Unlike rain, Lemon Drops have the very opposite effect of dampening one’s spirits. In fact they’re positively conducive to finding almost anything funny. For example, like propelling a person in five inch wedges up a staircase to a stage, attempting victory in a game identifying the film that the music playing belongs to – at the speed of light.

“It’s a great combination” Luke said at breakfast the next day. “A couple of Lemon Drops and some improv games” (at you know where: www.clubmed.co.uk).

I couldn’t believe the hilarity of the penultimate jeu. Four members of the audience were selected to sing into a microphone while the song they were supposed to croon along to blasted out of the speakers.

A clever trick, it resulted in a playback 20 minutes later of all four participants’ efforts with the entire theatre listening. I laughed so much that my stomach hurt.

In the final game, the theatre was split into two sides with the team to build the highest tower of all its member’s shoes the winners. In a Benny Hill type moment footwear was removed in fast forward time. A gentleman bravely stood on top of Team 1’s pile with a pair of sparkly ballet pumps on his head.

Suddenly it all came back to me: The camaraderie and inclusiveness of Club Med. I had new ‘friends’ and I felt like I belonged. It’s those magic ingredients that make it one of the most successful all inclusive holidays ever.

By the time we got to the ‘Nite’ the Responsable Animation took my hand, pointed in the direction of the limbo pole in the middle of the dancefloor and asked me if I’d be his partner in crime. “Mais non!” I exclaimed. “But, please could we have some crazy signs instead?”

No sooner said than done. The music started and the dancefloor crowded with the energy of a night that had come together in a quintessential Club Med way. Michael the DJ played Michael again and several other great tunes with a sensibility that belied his youthful years.

At lunch the next day a woman next to me said “Ah, vous dancez hier soir beaucoup!” – or words to that effect. Later on, a Belgian gentleman asked me what activities I did when I was here. “A bit of Ping Pong” I replied.“ “..and you dance” he said. “You saw me too?!” I exclaimed. “Yes, two nights ago.”

What can I say: When in Rome.

What’s in a name?

On June 24, 2014December 4, 2014 By Conversations with StrangersIn Ibiza, Life, Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

It was early. Very early for Ibiza, but when you’re on a tight schedule with work to do and a beach bicycle to procure – needs must.

San Jordi Flea Market was quiet at 10am on a Saturday morning. “Right, I think last week the bikes were over by the fence” T said. The boys started to head in that direction but I broke off. “Back here at 11am, S” A instructed.

I left them to it, after all there can be no finer experts in this particular type of hunting than a couple of mountain bike trail blazers.

Sunshine shone on an assortment of stalls offering everything from tablecloths to vintage record players, ornamental ducks to jewellery, books, clothes, and dolphin clocks. This was a market with everything.

One €1.30 coffee later, I spied the boys. “Any luck?” I asked. “Yeah, well we found one but it’s overpriced and he won’t give it to us for any less.” “How much?” “€40. But there could be any number of things wrong with it – and we don’t want to get a call from you saying: ‘Pick me up, the chain’s come off.’” A said.

“It was a good bike” said T slowly.

We went to take a look at her. There was a fair amount of standing around, hands on hips, investigating further. “Take her for a spin, S. See what you think.” I thought she was mighty fine – but I feel at home on practically any bicycle so I was in my element. “I’ll give you something towards it on the grounds I can use it when I’m here over the summer.”

The deal was done and I cycled her back to the van. “How about Betswana for a name” T asked. “Hmmm, not sure.” I lifted her into the back of the Ford Transit and A propped her up carefully.

Next stop was the beach. “Fancy jumping off some rocks today S?” A asked. “No! Definitely not!” T turned around and smiled. “How about we call her ‘Sarah’?” I shrieked with delight. A took a while to respond. “Yeah, okay, that’s a nice name for her” he concurred.

Back at the casa early evening I ventured towards the garage. The boys were about eight beers down and Sarah was propped up in a faint state of disarray. “We’ve stripped her down; the grease had turned into glue – like sap from a tree. She’s looking sweet now though. Want to take her for a spin?”