Post #116980 by ikitnrev on Tue, Sep 28, 2004 9:46 PM

I'm becoming addicted to this certain kind of feeling that comes around at Hukilau and other events - you fly into a city far from home, check into some strange hotel, and decide to check out a nearby bar -- and then you see some familiar faces walking towards you - the faces of people you have met at past events. This was my third straight Hukilau, and it is always great to meet old friends again, as well as be introduced to a few new friends too.

The weather for Thursday's boat ride was incredible - and we should all be fortunate that the best weather occured for the main outdoor event. A real highlight for me that evening was being able to meet and talk with Billy Mure - a few years ago I did a zine that featured old vinyl records, and in one of those articles I wrote about Billy. So many of the artists from that era have passed away, so it was a real treasure to see those two having such a good time. I bought three of my Billy Mure LPs along with me for Billy to sign, and these will be treasured items.

I was dazzled with the number of vendors at the tiki bazaar, and I'm sure that if the hurricane hadn't shut things down early, that I would be making several trips to the ATM machine. It is always nice to be able to buy some music CDs, and get them autographed by the musicians who were present. I ended up buying only a few mugs, and with all of the activity of evacuations and flying back home, I'm pleased to say that all of them arrived home intact.

My options for the evacuation were a bit limited, as I had no family nearby to retreat to. Fortunately, Surburban Hipster had the presence to call Saturday morning and locate and reserve a rental car, and within a few hours we were able to locate a place called the Plantation Motel, whose only redeeming grace was that it had some Mai Kai brochures located in the lobby. It was the type of motel where all the unsavory Tom Waits characters will likely hang out when they arrive in Fort Lauderdale. Remote Controls with dead batteries, dresser drawers missing their bottoms, cracked telephones, tables with a layer of listerine that the maid had forgotten to wipe up, TV sets turning on in the middle of the night, the condom machine located near the payphones ..... it was as sleazy as the Mai Kai is classy. Wouldn't you know that we later discovered that other Tiki Centralites had ended up spending the night there too, hunkered under the covers, afraid to reach out and touch anything, as they waited out the storm.

In my own little way, I think this motel helped contribute to my overall experience ... when we later visited the Mai Kai, it just seemed even more wonderful .... a true oasis appearing when it was needed the most.

The highlight of the trip for me was going to the Mai Kai for three straight days - with each day having its own set of charms. I believe I discovered a new favorite drink there - the Jet Pilot - and I was pleased to see old drink menus being sold in the gift shop. I met some new folks from the DC area I had never met before, so it looks as if the circle of Hukilau and related friends will continue to grow.

If I didn't meet you or talk to you -- my apologies. Chances are that even if I did speak with you, that the moment did not last nearly long enough. I have a tendency to sometimes linger in the background, just soaking in the total atmosphere ... and I'm pleased that so many of you were able to add your own presence to the Hukilau atmosphere.

Vern