I'm a traveling man, made a lot of stops.....PART 2
So after being home for one day, I headed to my next stops
Thursday morning, packed and ready to fly out to Portugal.
I have some linens vendors in Porto.
And coincidentally, Mr International Superstar DJ Funky Bear Martin just moved there to be with his now husband, Miguel
I had the honor of being their first guest in their new (fantastic) apt. After I gave them their housewarming gifts (Martin asked for a few American things)
2 pounds of Vivace coffee
2.5 pounds of Tillamook cheddar cheese (you can only find Irish cheddar in Europe that that not good if you're trying to make Mexican food)
10 bars of Lever 2000
Assorted candies and chocolates including pretzel M&M's
So, I spent the weekend being shown the incredible sights of Porto, going into buildings that were built in the 13th and 14th centuries, eating heartstopping food (if you’re on my facebook, then you saw the coronary inducing Francezina. OMG! Ok, side note, I have to describe this meal.
You take a ham sandwich. Add a layer of Portuguese sausage, add a layer of chorizo add in a STEAK. Wrap the whole thing in CHEESE. And then serve it in a bowl of tomato brandy sauce and serve french fries with it.
Good! Lord!
We had a birthday party for Miguel and then went out to the bars. Had a blast.
But man, I am not built to party in Europe. Guests arriving at 10pm, heading to the bar at 3am and getting home at 6am. Oi vey. I’m old. But it was an amazing time hanging with Martin (who I think was starved for conversation in English) and getting to know Miguel better.
LOL
On Monday, I started working with my linens vendors and got to tour factories seeing how fabric is made woven dyed etc. Kind of incredible.
This was the start of a week of factory visits, dinners with vendors and enjoying the sights of the city with the week culminating with another wonderful evening with the Meskitersons. (Meskita-Petersons)
Thursday morning, I had a flight to Frankfurt to attend Christmas World to start looking at ornaments.
This was my third time attending this show and I have a fun time. Although I wasn’t particularly inspired by the latest and greatest in blown glass ornaments, I enjoyed my time in the city.
And as usual, I went out to the bars one night. I always try to make it out and the night did not disappoint.
There are only a few gay bars in Frankfurt. I usually start out at Schwenjk. It's this tiny tiny tiny little bar and is always a good time. They play a lot of GERMAN songs from the 70's-90's and the whole bar will sing in unison at the top of their lungs. HYSTERICAL.
I had planned on then going to The Stall for some dirty dark bar fun, but honestly Schwenjk was just a blast and this ADORABLE little cubby came and talked to me and brought me over to meet his bf and friends. Had a great time and if I didn't have to work the next day (it was already 3am) I'm sure the cubby and his bf would have shown me a better time.
Ahhhhh Frankfurt.
Thursday morning, packed and ready to fly out to Portugal.
I have some linens vendors in Porto.
And coincidentally, Mr International Superstar DJ Funky Bear Martin just moved there to be with his now husband, Miguel
I had the honor of being their first guest in their new (fantastic) apt. After I gave them their housewarming gifts (Martin asked for a few American things)
2 pounds of Vivace coffee
2.5 pounds of Tillamook cheddar cheese (you can only find Irish cheddar in Europe that that not good if you're trying to make Mexican food)
10 bars of Lever 2000
Assorted candies and chocolates including pretzel M&M's
So, I spent the weekend being shown the incredible sights of Porto, going into buildings that were built in the 13th and 14th centuries, eating heartstopping food (if you’re on my facebook, then you saw the coronary inducing Francezina. OMG! Ok, side note, I have to describe this meal.
You take a ham sandwich. Add a layer of Portuguese sausage, add a layer of chorizo add in a STEAK. Wrap the whole thing in CHEESE. And then serve it in a bowl of tomato brandy sauce and serve french fries with it.
Good! Lord!
We had a birthday party for Miguel and then went out to the bars. Had a blast.
But man, I am not built to party in Europe. Guests arriving at 10pm, heading to the bar at 3am and getting home at 6am. Oi vey. I’m old. But it was an amazing time hanging with Martin (who I think was starved for conversation in English) and getting to know Miguel better.
LOL
On Monday, I started working with my linens vendors and got to tour factories seeing how fabric is made woven dyed etc. Kind of incredible.
This was the start of a week of factory visits, dinners with vendors and enjoying the sights of the city with the week culminating with another wonderful evening with the Meskitersons. (Meskita-Petersons)
Thursday morning, I had a flight to Frankfurt to attend Christmas World to start looking at ornaments.
This was my third time attending this show and I have a fun time. Although I wasn’t particularly inspired by the latest and greatest in blown glass ornaments, I enjoyed my time in the city.
And as usual, I went out to the bars one night. I always try to make it out and the night did not disappoint.
There are only a few gay bars in Frankfurt. I usually start out at Schwenjk. It's this tiny tiny tiny little bar and is always a good time. They play a lot of GERMAN songs from the 70's-90's and the whole bar will sing in unison at the top of their lungs. HYSTERICAL.
I had planned on then going to The Stall for some dirty dark bar fun, but honestly Schwenjk was just a blast and this ADORABLE little cubby came and talked to me and brought me over to meet his bf and friends. Had a great time and if I didn't have to work the next day (it was already 3am) I'm sure the cubby and his bf would have shown me a better time.
Ahhhhh Frankfurt.