Tags:
Journalism of Courage
A Self-Imposed social exile ensured an early to bed late to rise syndrome, which has had a therapeutic effect on my psyche. Summertime vacation spots have beckoned the mind into an oasis of mental escapism, to a world of probables and possibles, from Khandala to Cannes, Goa to Portofino.
If the idle mind is the Devil8217;s workshop, I qualify for vampire status as there isn8217;t a holiday spot in the word that my idle mind hasn8217;t thirsted for, blood sport spots like Madrid included. Watching a bull fight even on television leaves me a knee shaking wreck of nerves, yellow livered to boot, yet the thought of a summer holiday in Spain has me quite excited. Flamenco dancers are a class apart and their sensuousness coupled with clicking castenettes make an idyllic setting.
The restaurant is a small eatery run by the family in a cosy setting with the most divine pastas, ossobucco, roast potatoes and millefiore in all of the nation. The fountain of Trevi for a quick wish and a blessing from the Pope at the Vatican would take this food and shoe fetish fiend to cloud nine. Sardinia, the villa in Porto Cervo8217; right next to the Aga Khan8217;s on the water front, is another perfect holiday destination. If the location wasn8217;t ideal enough, watching the private yatchs come into the Marina and the roll call of the international who8217;s who that own them would salvage the social spirit.
Lake Como and the villa D8217;este could be another dream vacation spot in Italy. After a spot of shopping in Milan, the drive to Chervo and its uniquely splendorous hotel on the lake front would be thepanacea to cure all ills. Crossing the lake and driving a couple of hours brings you to the fabulous Swiss border town of Montreux. Needless to say, the change from the hot passionate do-or-die Italians to the cool calm super-efficient Swiss is an experience in itself. Once in Switzerland, cuckoo clocks, Swatch watches, cheese fondue and eiderdowns are the order of the day. The air is crisp and everything works like clockwork.
Paris in summer is a lover8217;s paradise, from the restaurants to the famous Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, to the roadside cafes, hugging and kissing seem a national pastime. Oh! to be in Paris. Winging across the Atlantic, my flight of fantasy has me gripped in it8217;s thrall. A pit stop in New York to take in the craziest city in the civilised world with skyscrapers and yellow cabs in abundance.
The quintessential big city with the fanciest brownstone, sitting cheek by jowl with the crummiest state housing. Central Park and Fifth Avenue lead you straight into the heart of the Bronx if yougo far enough, yet hotdogs and pretzels bring an equality of spirit to even a dyed-in-the-wool wide-eyed tourist. Great country, dangerous city. A tad rude, totally egocentric, devil-may-care city slicker could relieve your jewels and money in less time than it takes to say Rio8217;, yet happen it does, and life goes on.
Tripping the light fantastic Disneyland and Hollywood beckon. Perfect city, with perfect 108242; bods, perfect smile, perfect manners. As plastic as perfect gets and to achieve perfect, plastic is all it takes. An Am-Ex platinum card is all the introduction you need to a world of Boulevards, the Strip, gaming a private jet, take your pick. A quick fix is the prerogative of the hoopla brigade, making whoopie when all else fails is another favourite pastime.
Winging back through Shakespeare country 8212; Lords, the grounds or aristocracy as neighbours, is all part of the New Age Britain. Everything you get in Europe or America can be had in London for a price. The Indians have all but taken overcentral London 8212; eight hundred thousand at the last count, spread over the land. Not bad, eh!
The first rain storm of the season spatters large squidgy drops of rain against my window pane. A lazy palm tree is woken into a frenzied lashing as though possessed like a banshee. If the first of the southwesterly monsoon is upon us then I must still be in Mumbai. I know travel mania has hit but for the time being my restless spirit can only take a flight of fancy.
Actually, it8217;s more of a been there done that8217; syndrome. I need to try something new, to get this old body to move. Cruises seem to be the flavour of the month so perhaps I will sail the seven seas next Happy Holidays!
