micetrail

Cirque de Soleil has effectively replaced the circus…probably a relief for all the animal lovers out there.  They’ve been able to attract the thrill seekers and the dreamers in the past but it seems they might be slipping a little with this last installment – Totem.   Although it’s still a fantastic show, it’s lost a little of its mysticism and story-telling.  This current roadshow is supposed to be about evolution but,  except for some pretty funny sight gags, seems to have lost its way in developing the theme.  Yes, there are gollum-like creatures, apes (human) and beach bums…but where’s the evolving?  Not in the story-telling which is schizophrenic…American Indians, space creatures, juggler in a jar, briefcase-toting businessmen, speedboats, rowboats…back and forth and relationship-restricted.  I just didn’t get it!

I always liked the atmosphere that Cirque created and I feel they’ve lost their way a bit in this last installment.

I just got a postcard from Egypt and have my own ideas about what it says.  Maybe you can suggest some other interpretation than the one below:

“two misshapen people have a conversation and then one of them jumps into a kayak and releases a three leaf clover into the sky, which then makes one of the people sick and he throws up.  Then he decides to get water from the Nile and have a cup of tea…which then causes him to throw up over a toilet.  Then  back to the kayak, where one of them is approached by three crocodiles (the original species…not the ones from sub-saharan Africa). Then one of the people take an empty bowl and makes rabbit stew and also adds a handle to the bowl.  Since Christmas is coming soon, an un-striped candy cane is thrown into the Nile and is eaten by a piranha.  Now back on land, the people decide to rest in their tent and have a cup of tea.  One of them lays down, which causes the other one to get excited and uh..uh..uhmmm – let’s talk about the upcoming holiday and candy canes.”

Makes sense, yes?

I’m back from Madagascar recently and suggest that unless it’s #100 or above on your bucket list, then give it a pass.  One of the most primitive places I’ve been.  Not for the luxury traveler or for the whining traveler but, if you want something in the “outahere” category, this is it.  Fabulous lemurs leaping, sleeping, eating and pooping down your back.  Lemurs in “torpor”, babies hanging on for dear life on their mothers, big-eyed lemurs, 4 foot tall lemurs, teacup mouse lemurs…all pretty wondrous.  Don’t pass up the baobabs on the Mozambique channel nor the fabulous tsingy…amazing spires and mazes of needle-sharp rock formed over eons of the sea rolling in and out.  Accommodations range from 2 mattresses in a tent to thatch-covered bungalos to high-ceiling’ed well-appointed rooms with 2 baths.   Roads are atrocious and dusty.  Be prepared for discomfort and long drives over deep rutts.  And don’t fret the schedule – after all it is Madagascar.