Our Man in Antigua

if there ever was a classic ‘Monday’ this might have been it:  a day when nuthin’ went right or as advertised, hoped for or considered…a case in point: the printer, overdue for the first local versions of the 2nd Edition of Our Man….oops…’well, maybe by Wednesday…’..and this was planned for today…hey, it’s Chinatown, Jake…as it turned out, this worked in my favor…

Voyageur Travels,  long my fave resource for bus trips to hell, Managua and other backwater garden spots? lost their two prime/primo and best agents who moved up the block and opened as Maya Kingdom Travels..well, they liked the ‘ booklette’ and with their new info that stuff got uploaded, perverted/converted to the Amazon.com site and thence to Frener Printing where…maybe, just maybe, the local edition will be out by Thursday…and yes, the delectable Ms M is still on board…this new wave of publishing is ‘brave new world’ stuff…no more lead letters, clanking presses..hit the ‘send’ button and away it goes..instant updates!

ah, the new restaurant in what was the De Bronce space on  4th avenida, across from Alex’  Helados Exoticos? the sign is up…Comida Americana…an American Diner…nope, haven’t read the menu but one wonders…there’s a Burger King, McD’s and Lava across the street for killer’burgers…what niche are they looking to fill? tuna melts, BLT’s and a grilled cheese ‘san? speaking of menus, i picked up the latest from J aka Bull Durham…gotta order some of his fresh pork ribs…the pork chops have always been perfecto/sublime..he’s gotta great connection with a farm in Tecpan…order early in the week and they get here on Thursday..51-79-6892 or drop by the shop, La Rosa de Cristal after 10am or so..

‘heard via an unusual grape vine that X…aka Xaviera Hollander was looking for me..if you were around for the debacle that describes her appearances here in February of ’10 then you’ll understand why i’m ducking this..i arranged 5 or 6 venues for her to speak and sell her books…nuthin’ but trouble, aggravation and insults…but i did, in lieu of thanks, get a autographed copy of ’69 Ways to Please Your Lover’…or something like that..if only, etc..I know, hold your tongue…this printing/publishing biz is taking a minor toll…the sea shipment is overdue, the 13 or 14 outlets in town are running low on the ‘bookette’ and the previously praised to the skies printer is having ‘technical difficulties’…ack..pass the vodka..see you around town, tomorrow..the upcoming bright spot is that my old pal from Havana days is coming to town this week and La ReUnion/golf is scheduled..knowing John, he’ll be packing some fresh Cuban smokes..Ole!