"All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down" - JG, TG, and Friends in Playa/Tulum - 2012

[January Guy]

In January 2012, we took out 10th trip to the Riviera Maya. It was our second favorite trip of all time, trailing only our January 2009 trip to Playa. That high ranking is likely because, on this trip, we took a much different approach.

We came away from our January 2011 trip very exhausted, rather than refreshed and invigorated. We are addicted to Playa’s nightlife and have many friends in town, thus virtually every evening in January 2011 was a party. Just like people addicted to alcohol need to stay out of bars, people addicted to shopping need to stay out of malls, and people addicted to gambling need to stay out of casinos, we sensed that we needed to stay out of Playa for part of the trip, for our own sakes.

For our January 2012 trip we thus spent 2 nights living it up in Playa, followed by five days of tranquility in Tulum. For the 4th time, we were joined by our friends Ruso and Cita. During previous vacations, I would take copious notes and we would take pictures of everything, primarily so that I could produce a thorough trip report. This report is different in that we vacationed mainly for ourselves. Thus, there won’t be as many pictures, some of the details will be a bit fuzzy, and I don’t have the energy to write as detailed of a report as last time, but hopefully you enjoy it nonetheless.

Day 1 – Friday

None of us slept well, Ruso and Cita because of a barfing child, TG and I from pre-trip anxiety. However, we were energized upon touching Mexican soil about 2:15PM. Immigration and customs were a breeze and we decided to take a cab to Playa. Given the favorable exchange rate of 13.5 pesos to 1 dollar, the 950 peso cab fare was less expensive to us than usual.

The cabbie was nice enough to stop at the 7-11 just a couple minutes after leaving the Cancun airport so that we could sip on a beverage on the way down. The ride down was very smooth and I love the way the new overpass avoids all the stoplights. TG needed to rest a bit after we checked in at the Aventura Mexicana, so Ruso, Cita, and I walked over to the Luna Blue to greet Jorge, who of course remembered to put 2 limes in my Dos Equis, which is still only 25 pesos. Tony and Cheri were there so we had fun chatting with them for awhile, and Tony made sure that our first tequila shots were at his bar.

We headed out to the El Fogon off 30th and 32nd for dinner. The arrachara nortena was tasty as ever, and TG upgraded to the bowl of the delicious bean soup instead of the standard cup. Entrees were about 110 pesos per person.

Cita loves her onions


I just love everything about El Fogon. I am sure you love my armpit hair.


We stretched out our stomachs with a long walk down to Mom’s, where we ran into Erik, Jan, and Juergen.






After a pina colada at Mom’s, we stolled down to Manne’s. Ronnie, my favorite bartender in the world, doesn’t work much at Manne’s anymore as he has opened up a sausage shop (not as bad as I make it sound). That was probably a good thing, as we did not receive wave after wave of tequila shots. As the front was full, we sat in the back courtyard by ourselves. As relaxing as that was, we wanted a bit more action, so we only hung out for about 20 minutes before leaving. Beers and tequila shots are still an amazing 20 pesos each.

We arrived at the Luna Blue at about 9PM to a very welcome sight. Thank you, Tony.



Mike, “Just because your name is on the marquee, doesn’t mean I have to let you play, you know.” Ruso, “That is kind of a dick thing to say, Mike.”


Mike, “Okay, one song. You can play one song at the end of the night.” JG, “Yayyy!” Rick, “Bad idea, Mike.”


JG, “Rick, I always threaten to buy you a drink when I am in town but never do so, so I am going to do so right away this time. And, damn, your wife Sue looks hot tonight.”


JG, “Just a quick warning that I will be playing a song tonight. I’ll be happy to take requests as long as it is one of the 5 songs I know.”


Mike, “JG is coming on about 10:35. Just warning you. Get the hell out while you ears are still intact”


Nice, ummm, eyeliner, Cita. Yeah, eyeliner.


Mike, “Not sure why I can grow plenty of hair below my mouth, but none above it.”
[

Mike’s brother Matt, “Yeah, that does look pretty stupid. My soul patch is much better.”


Mike, “JG, if you laugh at that, you ain’t playin’ tonight.”


Rick, “I think JG is coming on stage soon. I will show you all how excited I am about that.”


I think I need a tequila shot to limber me up, join me Ruso.






Mike, “If JG is going to sing, I need a tequila shot to numb my ears.”


Mike, “Wow, this is worse than I thought.” JG, “Hey beard boy, shut up and keep playing.”


Mike, “How about you just stop now, please?”


All, “Wow, this is really bad. We came all the way to Playa for this?”


Put an X on your hand if this is the worst musical performance you have ever witnessed.


If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. And if you can’t hold a tune, at least make good eye contact


Mike, “Okay, I think it is time we turn the volume down a bit. Hell, I think it is time we turn it off. I’m pretty sure JG will not notice”


Mike, “Holy cripes, dude, don’t farmer blow my way.”


Cita, “Let’s dance and make JG think we like his song.”


Cita, “But he really sucks.” Ruso, “Yeah, I know. Why are we vacationing with him, anyway?”


TG, “It’s okay honey, I still love you.”


JG, “Prove it with a kiss, babe.”


I guarantee that over ½ of the people looking at this pic are wondering what sort of dirt I have on TG so that she keeps hanging out with me.




All in all, it was a fun night. Mike did a great job as always, although I would have preferred if his brother and friend from Canada would have played less and if Mike had played more. Not that I disliked those two; I just like Mike better.

Mike let me sing along to Wild Thing and Friends in Low Places, and then first the first time ever, I sang my original song Guitars, Women, and Beer to a crowd – it is a tribute to Waylon Jennings. Other than singing off key, forgetting the bridge, and generally being ½ step faster with my chords than my vocals, I thought I did really well.

Jorge kicked everyone out around 11, then we grabbed some tasty pizza from the Pummarola right next to the Aventura Mexicana on calle 24. We then were walking toward the Karaoke bar, but 75% of us were exhausted and wanted to call it a night (me included), so we did.

A solid first day.

[roni]

Bout time

You hang out with a pretty lady

Hope you come out here in July

[wolfpf]

Woohoo!!! Been waiting for this one

[daydreamer]

[cmsitaly]

I love this pic, perfect quote!![
Mike, “Just because your name is on the marquee, doesn’t mean I have to let you play, you know.” Ruso, “That is kind of a dick thing to say, Mike.”



JG, “Rick, I always threaten to buy you a drink when I am in town but never do so, so I am going to do so right away this time. And, damn, your wife Sue looks hot tonight.”


.[/quote]
Sue, I have that dress!

JG, we were exhausted too after our partying last year. Definitely not planning as much this year. Looking forward to the rest of your TR!!

[LB4Playa]

Wow you are now headliner status at Luna Blue. I liked the looks on your faces with the takillya shots. Glad to see your doing a TR.

[Jacko]

I see you really laid back on this trip! keep it coming

sent from my htc thunderbolt

[January Guy]

Originally Posted by roni

Bout time

You hang out with a pretty lady

Hope you come out here in July

Thank you, amigo. She is a hottie. July is on our radar...

Originally Posted by wolfpf

Woohoo!!! Been waiting for this one

Thank you. Depending on what you like, it won't be as good as the last one.

Originally Posted by daydreamer

It'll be a couple days before the next posting, so don't fill up too much on the popcorn.

Originally Posted by cmsitaly

I love this pic, perfect quote!![

JG, we were exhausted too after our partying last year. Definitely not planning as much this year. Looking forward to the rest of your TR!!

Thank you - at first when TG read my report, she was like "Ruso really said that?" I had to remind her that I love playing around with captions.

Originally Posted by LB4Playa

Wow you are now headliner status at Luna Blue. I liked the looks on your faces with the takillya shots. Glad to see your doing a TR.

Thank you, buddy!

Originally Posted by Jacko

I see you really laid back on this trip! keep it coming

Hey now...we did lay back...just not right away.

[kirbyfan]

A JG trip report...YES!!!!! *pumps fist*

[burly]

Looking forward to your trip report.
Low key, off key, or whatever.

Thanks for doing one.


KIM

[January Guy]

Originally Posted by kirbyfan

A JG trip report...YES!!!!! *pumps fist*

I like the enthusiasm! I think day 2 will be post-able tomorrow evening.

Originally Posted by burly

Looking forward to your trip report.
Low key, off key, or whatever.

Thanks for doing one.


KIM

Thank you much. They are always fun to write...

[canadiense loco]

Passing on the karaoke bar is something 2011 JG would not have done that evening.
You are either older, wiser, or pacing yourself.

[Uno]

When is he going to post TG beach pics?!

Oh crap. Did I say that out loud!?

Good job buddy.

[Uno]

Originally Posted by January Guy

Thank you, amigo. She is a hottie. July is on our radar...



Thank you. Depending on what you like, it won't be as good as the last one.



It'll be a couple days before the next posting, so don't fill up too much on the popcorn.



Thank you - at first when TG read my report, she was like "Ruso really said that?" I had to remind her that I love playing around with captions.



Thank you, buddy!



Hey now...we did lay back...just not right away.

WHAAAAT!? SUWEET! I won't tell Colleen until you know for sure. She would be TOO disappointed if she thought TG was going to show up but didn't. Oregon in the summer is awesome.... 12,000' snow capped mountains and the pacific ocean all in one day.

[Duck]

Another TR by the Bozman ! Rock on amigo !!