I just got back from Key West where Suzy and i went to Fantasyfest. Key West has been through 4 hurricanes in the last year, Wilma being the worst. Unless you lived in the oldest part of town on a small rise in the center of the island, you lost everything. 5 feet of sea water rose almost instantly and innundated the city. Everyone lost their cars or anything else the water could touch. Their tropical canopy of foliage is shredded.

But the party went on. Key West is like that. There really weren't too many people there this year, just hardcore fanatics like ourselves, a few confused cruise ship people and a lot of locals.

Thanks to our confetti cannon and a barrage we released that decorated the local church courtyard (and I mean decorated ) we ended up viewing the parade from the balcony of La Ti Da.

La Ti Da is a hotel/cabaret that books world class drag queen acts and is one of the main players in raising aids research funding. It's also the former home of Jose Marti, Cuba's Lincoln. The balcony we were standing on was from where he gave his speeches.

We had a very good time, met some really great people and probably made a bigger mess than anyone else there. They filmed the whole parade from where we were, when I found out when it's on I'll edit the link in here. The TV crew was from "Out and About". They're doing a half hour show on the parade.

fltsfshr

 

Wow...I hadn't realized that the damage was that severe, although I saw video of flooding there. As usual, you can send me the NSFW pics via email, if you still have my email address.

 

It is my understanding that they are trying to "bump it down a notch" in terms of the "anything goes atmosphere" of the past, in regards to nudity and body painting, etc. I have seen photo's from the past and it seems like it would be a real hoot, unless one is homophobic.

 

No Matt if anything it usually goes the other way when something interferes with fantasyfest. Body painting was everywhere within the party area and people walking home. The problem was it got a bit chilly in the evenings. The only time I've ever seen the no nudity law enforced was a couple police chiefs ago when the baptists on cudjoe key raised a fuss. Since then Key West is mulling a city nude beach down at Higgs.

And yes you had better be an open minded human being if you go to fantasyfest, people there are of all persuasions. Remember the city motto is "One Human Family"

It's a good time, people having fun.

fltsfshr