Things that make me happy... Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival

Things that make me happy... Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival

Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival is an annual three day  (January 24-27 this year) music festival in Montego Bay featuring R&B, Jazz and Blues artists. This year's the headliners were John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Dionne Warwick, and Michael Bolton.

Its a great winter long weekend getaway trip for people looking to escape the cold and take on some chill music and island sun.  If you have the time its a great time to take a week away if you can, but the shows start on Thursday night with Reggae night followed by Friday and Saturday Jazz, R&B and Blues. The concert venue is is Trewlany about 20 minutes of highway driving outside of Montego Bay. There are villa rentals available along with plenty of hotel and resort options. The Riu, Halfmoon, and Secrets were top sponsors and host hotels this year but the range of quality hotels in every price range are available.

Lodging Recommend - Coyaba Beach Resort (great value), Secrets (new resort), Ritz Carlton/Iberostar (luxury properties)
Good Eats - Local Scotchies (Montego Bay), Jack Sprat (Treasure Beach)

John Legend

Romaine Virgo

Dionne Warwick

 Monica

Mary J Blige

Thursday - Reggae Night

Friday Night - Mary J Blige and Michael Bolton

Saturday Night - John Legend Dionne Warwick

More John Legend

Pros
1. Beautiful winter getaway - Who doesn't like beach, cheap rum, and music
2. Scotchies - If you like jerk (spicy) this is the place to go just ask anyone for location (near Holiday Inn resort).
3. Red Stripe... Almost cheaper than water. Can't beat that.

Cons
1. Driving in Jamaica is risky... and cabs can be expensive but you can always ride in groups to event.
2. Tanlines - Hard to use than sick excuse at work with bikini and tan lines. Sunblock a must.



S.F. Guru

Things that make me happy... A child of the state (TedTalk by Lemn Sissay)

Things that make me happy... Lemn Sissay: A child of the state (TedTalk)

“You can define how strong a democracy is by how its government treats … the child of the state.” — Lemn Sissy

Lenn Sissay is an accomplished poet, playwright, and broadcaster in the UK and is featured on this TedTalk discussing his own personal and moving story as an adopted child.  This

Lemn Sissay: A child of the state

For more information on Lemn Sissay visit his website at http://www.lemnsissay.com

Pros
Food for thought...

S.F. Guru

Things that make me happy... of 2012 & Machu Picchu Trip

Things that make me happy... of 2012 & Machu Picchu

2012 was a fun year fill with lots of things that made me happy. There were lots of new shows, music, movies and random events that are join my long list of favorites things in pop culture last year.

Sherlock - TV
House of Lies - TV
Homeland - TV
Men who built America - TV

Lady Antebellum - Music
Esperanza Spaulding - Music

Silver Lining Playbook - Movie
The Sessions - Movie

Michael Jackson - Immortal Tour - Show
Electric Zoo Festival - Show
NY Food & Wine Festival - Show

Machu Picchu

Sure it is good to experience culture in all its various media forms, but sometimes you just have to go out and explore culture up close and personal. This year Peru made the list.  Peru is getting lots of visitors lately due to the increase popularity of the lost city of the Incas -- Machu Picchu and the surrounding Sacred Valley areas. A wonderful site to see in person while you still can... rumor has it they may start further restricting tourist in the near future.

First of all Peru is great destination to visit in South America if you looking for an active vacation trip. From beaches, to mountains, to jungle Peru has a lots to offer.  There are various hikes available from day hikes to week long walks. Many parts of Peru are over 10,000 ft above sea water so read up on how to adjust to avoid altitude sickness. But don't be afraid with a few precautions there will be minimal effects.

Air - Lima, the capital has the main international airport (LIM) can be reach by many international airlines. Cusco (CUZ) is a domestic airport that is the closest Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Lodging - There are many affordable and high end boutique hotels in and around the Scared Valley region and the city of Cusco.  The Aranwa chain is a great hotel with locations in Cusco and Sacred Valley. A great 5 star property with a great spa (Sacred Valley Location) that serves a great starting point for any excursion in the area. I stayed in two of the hotels over five days and enjoyed my stay immensely. For more info... http://www.aranwahotels.com

Plan on spending a minimum of 3 days but you really need 4-5 to take in a couple of the sites.  Of course Machu Picchu is the most popular destination and should definitely be a top priority. But you do have to plan ahead and get tickets for both the train and entrance into Machu Picchu in advance for best options and time.  While in the park be prepared to spend the day exploring on foot so bring good hiking boots or sneakers.  Get there early if possible. The crowds begin to grow after midday.

Machu Picchu Peru -

National Geographic - Machu Picchu

There are other places to explore in Peru in the area. Sacred Valley has many other towns worth visiting including the Sunday market in Pisac filled with local vendors selling art, clothing, and gift items. There are also various ruins in Sacred Valley-- most notably Ollantaytambo temple is an very worthwhile exploration. It should be mentioned that having a good tour guide makes a big difference when visiting the site. The best tour guides give the history of the sites and can help you find some of the sites for picture taking.

You should not forget there are lots of sites to see in Cusco as well. Restaurants and nightlife are just a few of the pleasures of the Peruvian city that blend old world spanish influences with ancient Inca architecture.  You can walk most of the city if you stay in the center of town and find lots of shopping and tourist sites to visit. Don't forget to get you baby Alpaca wool sweater and scarf (just not in middle of town at tourist prices.)

Cusco / Machu Picchu

Pros
1. One of the Ancient Wonders of the World that lives up to its billing
2. The people are extremely friendly and its easy to get around.
3. Relatively inexpensive country to explore.

Cons
1. Lots of walking and hiking to visit the sites, be prepared with good sneakers.
2. The altitude takes getting used to so plan on spending a day or two to acclimatize.
3. Sacred Valley is off the grid so there is limited night life, so bring cards and friends and enjoy a Pisco Sour!



S.F. Guru

Things that make me happy... The Sessions

Things that make me happy... The Sessions the film

The Sessions is a film about a man that lives in a iron lung due to polio he contracted as child. The film is based on the life of Mark O'Brien, a poet and writer that hires a surrogate to help him lose his virginity despite being paralyzed from the neck down.  Helen Hunt (Mad about You, As Good as it Gets) plays Cheryl Cohen-Greene a therapist that he hires to help him with this wish. Hunt's strong performance earned her an Academy Award nomination and much critical acclaim although she has not made many films over the past 10 years. She is joined by and equally strong performance by John Hawkes (Winter Bones) as the lead character Mark. The Australian director, Ben Lewin, based the movie on a 1990 article, "On Seeing a Sex Surrogate" written by Mark O'Brien

What makes this movie really work is Mark's search to experience love despite the long odds he feels are due to his paralysis. On the surface his medical condition seems to be the main obstacle to experience physical love, but to Mark's surprise he had everything  he needed to experience love, his personality and charm.  His priest, played masterfully by William H. Macy, serves has his guide and confidant during this "project" and provides from some good laughs.

First Session

Sessions also deal with complex issues around sexually shame and guilt just like the 2011 film Shame starring Michael Fasbender as a person struggling with sex addiction and being "disconnected" from emotional intimacy which in ways is the exact opposite of this Sessions.

Pros
1. Helen Hunt and John Hawkes performances are stellar.
2. Hunt looks amazing in this movie... and yes you will see a lot of her.
3. The plot and writing on this film is both funny and warm. This is definitely one of the most heartfelt movies of the year.... Think 50/50... both funny yet sad featuring amazing real people inspiring others to live life to its fullest.
4. The movie is both optimistic and inspirational. Not in the way that you feel sorry for someone, but in the way that it shows how people achieve in life despite any difficulty. O'Brien will and fearlessness is to be admired.

Cons
1. Although it is tastefully done, this movie does have some adult themes regarding sex. So you probably want to leave the kids home or skip this movie if your uncomfortable exploring this topic.
2. The movie is in limited release so you have to find it in your local arthouse theaters or put it in your Netflix cue.
3. Its a indy movie so don't expect to see action sequences and such...

One of the best movies of the year that no one has seen. Go check it out if your a indy movie fan!

S.F. Guru