Monkey Journey to the West

I recently went with my roommate the show Monkey Journey to the West at Lincoln Center.  Driven by the buzz that the brainss of the musical group Gorillaz were behind it, I couldn't be more excited. Oh what a surprise! Not only in a good way but also in a bad, unfortunately.


I have heard that the show has been a smash hit internationally and that the critic praise was amazing but in the end and on its defense "Monkey" (how we are referring to it from now on 'cause the name is too long) the show is simply not for everybody.
Based on a chinese classic Journey to the West which central character is a monkey that can transform into different creatures to overcome its obstacles in life, "Monkey" combines animation, opera, and circus acts.  They set the atmosphere from the moment you enter the bar and order the various house drinks with banana liquor.  The show is composed of 9 scenes.


The first half of these how is based on the arrogant attitude of the Monkey King looking for immortality at whichever cost, this eventually puts him in a jail by The Buddha himself and after 500 hundred years is released.  In this first half the acts include a big screen that comes into the stage with the animation that made Gorillaz famous but quickly the monkey character is not likable and ends up just being plain annoying.

The second half of the show consist of the Monkey King being released of this "jail" with the condition to help a Buddhist monk find the Buddha scriptures in a far off land.  The show is clearly a quest and if you are familiar with anime, you will understand the concept right away.

The main problem with the show is that while you are reading the subtitles of the song you are missing on the most amazing theatrical stunts.  It is very hard to keep up with everything that is happening at the same time.  Although the ending has a Wizard of OZ type of lesson, in which all this other characters that have joined Monkey on the quest are awarded with some title that give them redemption in their own personal stories, it is a little too late since the kung fu fighting gets old and not everyone is into the over exaggerated fighting gestures (again think anime) plus it stops using the animation which I think its what gave the show its main edge.

I am glad I saw it but honestly would be careful as to recommend it since counting my roommate I noticed people leaving the theater.  It is an interesting take on this tale and even though some parts are visually jaw dropping, like I said in the beginning...not for everybody.  So no "monkey see, monkey do on this case".

The Frying Pan, NYC

I don't like to feel like a tourist when I travel.  I love to visit friends in different cities and have them treat me like one of them.  I will skip the tourists traps and instead explore the food and dive bars off the main road streets.  I love experiencing that particular city through the local's point of view and discover  that there is so much more that the tourists pamphlets don't show.  So every time someone is visiting NYC and ask me of an interesting place to go I always recommend The Frying Pan.

The Frying Pan is a boat that had sunk on the Chesapeake Bay and was under water for three years.  After that it was sold to their current owner which decided to dock it with a  train car barge on the Chelsea Piers and turn it into the ultimate "dive" bar.  Because of its location it only opens seasonal from Spring to Fall which makes it more appealing for those who know that all the good stuff in NYC happens during this period of time.

It is one of my favorite spots because people lay very low wearing flip flops and shorts.  It's a good place to hit with a group of friends to enjoy beer and pitchers of sangria while watching the sunset on the Hudson River.  The barge has the kitchen with the dinning area which is exposed to the weather (I experienced storm while been there and it wasn't fun) and a 16 foot observation flank that lets you take in the city in the most spectacular way while also watching the helicopters land in the heliport next door.  The actual "Frying Pan" boat has sitting areas all over its deck and if you are lucky you might find it open to explore the antique insides.

The food is simple yet good since like I said it's not about the food but of an experience with friends.  Its about sitting there in a boat doing nothing but drink, laugh and joke, and forget about the hectic city since even though you are still in Chelsea it makes you feel like you have left it.  Depending on the time and day it can go from a chill to an overwhelming atmosphere so I recommend Sunday afternoons or weekday evening for a quieter time.

Next time you are around Chelsea Piers check out The Frying Pan (It is registered as an historic place believe it or not so you could include it in your "museum list").  Try their burger with cajun fries and a bucket of beers with friends.  The worst that can happen is that a sudden thunderstorm gets you wet but then again you are in a boat!

Keeping Traditons Alive

Last Thursday was the 4th of July and I had to work.  While everybody was getting ready to go to a BBQ, to the beach or simply to somebody's house to hang and celebrate what should be one of USA's, if not the biggest, Holiday during the whole year I was at work.  Some of you might be thinking that the biggest is probably Christmas but if you are Jewish you don't participate in it so this one and maybe Thanksgiving are the only two that apply to the whole country.

Maybe I come from a country that over celebrates everything, that looks for any excuse to call it a "holiday" and have a day off (PR is the country with most "holidays" celebrated in a year's calendar since we celebrate our own plus USA's ones.  Funny how nobody complains about being a colony during those days).  I do believe that certain days should be off for everybody , have the commerce close and let everyone enjoy it.  Little by little we are losing this type of celebrations.  More and more companies want to open and sell during theses days.  Trust me Thanksgiving is next and instead of going home to season that turkey with mom you will be part of the capitalist mentality either by working or going to shop during it.  There will be a day that all the stores will be open and it would just become one more day.  Losing the beauty and excitement that encompasses these days.

I left work early, and like the past 5 years headed to my friend Johanna's rooftop.  It is never the fanciest of parties and it never is because it is not about that.  It is about being together and celebrate freedom, the fact that we live in an amazing city, that we can be who we are without feeling ashamed or embarrassed, and that we have great people to share it with.  Thats what it was, and is, about.

While the fireworks bursted in the air and an old man sang "American Pie, I felt great happiness that we make it a point to conserve this tradition.

Bogotá Latin Bistro

 "Brooklyn?  Really?!  Ugh!"  That was my first reaction when I was invited to my friend Ashley's farewell dinner in Park Slope, Bk.  A common reaction if you live in Manhattan that is shared the other way around also.  Although we are all part of the same city since NYC is made up of 5 boroughs (including Staten Island which is treated like another state to be honest) and it is only minutes away in a train, leaving your comfort zone is a big thing.  We were not talking about Williamsburg or Brooklyn Heights which are conveniently right over the bridge but Park Slope, right in the heart of Brooklyn.

I had to leave work and hail all the way from the Upper East Side to some Latin restaurant in BK.  On top of it all it was Latin and I was worried since me being Puerto Rican has made me very critical of what people serve as Latin food in the city.  Most people think that we all eat the same stuff and as long as you add rice and beans its...voilà Latin!  Not the case, trust me!  In this case it was Bogotá Latin Bistro.  Oh boy was I in for a surprise but thankfully a good one!

At the beginning I was very apprehensive about the place since  it was full of the clichés that every Latin restaurant has when it comes to drinks.  The usual mojitos, sangrias and even piña coladas (which to my surprise was very well done) filled the drink menu but the standout was the sangrita which combines sangria and margarita in one frozen deliciousness.  Although it has a strong Colombian feel to it with its ballenato music as a background the restaurant combines Latin food from many different countries like Cuba, PR, and even Mexican.  Decorated in a very colorful and vivid manner with flying heart signs, paintings and street art that could have any minimalist asking for a Xanax, the real senses overload comes with all the amazing flavors in the food.

From a variety of arepas, empanadas, fried plantains and an assortment of meats this restaurant is very well rounded when it comes to options.  It could be a little overwhelming if you are like me that can't have that many options but later I've realized that every single plate is very well crafted. Trust me I've been to a lot of Latin restaurants and the pernil in this place blew me away!  Marinated in beer and their orange mojo it was just simply delicious.  The winner of this place is their coconut rice, not done in a Thai way but with all the flavors that define a good Latin rice.  To end things in a high note the Tres Leches cake is done to perfection but you shouldn't leave without trying their key lime pie.  

It's been a while since I've been blown away with food this good.  Brooklyn is full of great restaurants and this one is one to add to my list of favorites.  The train ride?  I guess I'll live!