This journal, 76 pages when printed, was originally posted in chapters on the SalserosCollective e-board. This edition corrects many of the original spelling and grammar errors [but probably creates new ones] and adds in about 30 recovered memories and follow up messages/information received once home. It appears here due to popular demand, but is far too long for those of you with the attention span of a newt, go read a ten line review of some club in Nebraska instead.
Outline: Two men travel from the UK to Boston, NYC, back to Boston and home again over the weekend of the Boston International Salsa Congress or whatever it was actually called.
The full version is mildly more interesting than that.
Here then is the journal for your annoyance.
Acknowledgements
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Nik for, among many other things described, inviting Ricardo over in the first place, making the whole trip possible.
Jane, for being great, providing free transport and giving us so much of her time.
Lapiz for being Lapiz, a nicer guy you could not hope to meet.
Richie for having the good decency to set up and manage this wonderful group of ours (SalserosCollective).
Dave Hucker for letting me have a copy of one of his Tanzania travel journals and giving me the inspiration for this effort. No elephants or lions, but wildlife theme maintained with turtles.
Stan Ternent for motivating a depleted squad ravaged with injuries and seeing off both Derby County and Wimbledon in a week, ensuring we will be playing first division football next season. [Oddly, he was sacked a week after my return].
Everyone else from the SalserosCollective who has featured on the journal pages, and all those who didn?t come up naturally. YOU really WERE there you know.
Finally, Mrs Ricardo and Ms slaphappy for not being openly hostile and pretending to be fine with us both making the trip.
Apologies
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This journal was written from notes scribbled on torn envelopes, flyers and airline sick bags. Some light artistic licence has been taken, but what you read is a pretty accurate account, well, from my point of view that is. For anything misunderstood, misrepresented or just plain wrong, sincere apologies.
slaphappy (for the hard of understanding, AKA The Author)
Chapter 1: Robin Hood & some merry men
Chapter 2: London Calling
Chapter 3: No Sleep ?til Boston
Chapter 4: Ballroom Blitz
Chapter 5: The Chinese Way
Chapter 6: Looking for Soul Food and a place to eat
Chapter 7: Un Gran Dia en el Barrio
Chapter 8: Sweet, like Chocolate
Chapter 9: Who Loves Ya Baby?
Chapter 10: At the Copa, Copacabana
Chapter 11: Escape From New York
Chapter 12: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Chapter 13: Homeward Bound