Post #172446 by tikivixen on Sat, Jul 16, 2005 1:28 PM

Ah, I too am finally home, after my post-Exotica excursion to tropical Columbus Ohio!

Side note: I just can't take in how very odd it is that anything like the Kahiki once existed in Columbus. Wow. How totally weird. I had to work hard not to think about that while I was there, for fear of a fit of tragic weeping!! But my Columbus friends and I did lift a toast to Ohio's great lost Tiki Mecca...where, I was told, my best friend Dottie collected a total of three marriage proposals over the years.

Back to Exotica.

Formikahini, you rule!!! Thanks so much, Alice, for being such a kind and cheerful and fun last-minute roomie. In case there's some fool out there who doesn't know it, Alice is a peach. (And her friends are marvelous as well, natch!) Both she and James were kind enough to offer me hospitality at the veryyyy last minute, too. Thanks, guys, a lot. I knew no one else in town going in, but was made to feel most welcome.

I might add, Tikibars' "Aku Hall" is not only a fabulously detailed, truly memorable home bar. It also resides within one of the most elegantly comfortable bachelor pads I've ever seen. Much less been lucky enough to crash at. Thanks again, James.

And to all the other TCers I haven't met before or haven't seen in ages--so wonderful to see you! Verntiki, Turbogod, PoweroftheTiki, you guys are the greatest and made my trip so much more fun. Esqui and Lisette, you are so dear and nice and I love your stuff! Still sorry I didn't buy your great Tiki Bob painting, but...sigh...the damned budget was already tight. And Bree, it is always a pleasure to see your lovely face and enjoy chatting with you. Mr and Mrs Johnny Dollar, you guys are so much fun and I hope we meet again!

I thought the event as a whole was extremely well-done, and it blew me away how helpful the Carters were with my last minute reorganization. That kind of personal attention from folks who must've already been SO busy is simply amazing. Thanks for everything and all praise.

Needless to say, the local Tiki spots were a blast. I especially love Hala Kahiki and hope to enjoy a 'Passionate Rummie" there again someday :wink:. Not to mention a giant roast pig buffet at Chef Shangri-La! Unparalleled hospitality from all the venues, matter of fact.

Last but not least, I am VERY relieved and happy to hear that pain-in-the-butt Dennis decided NOT to follow T.S. Cindy and spared New Orleans and Purple Jade. Here's to ALL the stupid hurricanes this season seems determined to produce fizzling off harmlessly into the ocean somewhere! Enough already.

On the plane coming back, a California blonde behind me was burbling loudly about weather issues. "All my friends back East ask me 'how can you stand the earthquakes??'--well, I just tell them, 'hey, at least we don't have earthquake SEASON every year!"

Even though I AM sitting next to a large piece of vintage unreinforced masonry at the moment, still, she has a point I guess...my sympathies and best wishes, therefore, to any/all Pensacolans-and-vicinity here on TC.

xox tikivixen