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Night falls
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Night falls in Porto Petro and the usually busy streets with tourists in their beach gear turn into parades of people dressed for dinner. I like to watch them as they walk by, trying decide what restaurant to eat at. The women wear skimpy clothes, trying to show off their newly acquired pink tans from earlier that day while the men talk loudly and check out the menus. In the restaurants, waiters rush by carrying anywhere from 5 to 8 plates in their hands, drenched in sweat, secretly wishing the tourists that glance inside would just go away. The scent of seafood prepared with lots of garlic and pepper, the Spanish way, can be hinted in every corner.
The same scene can be seen day after day, rain or shine, in the streets of Porto Petro. At least during the summer season. But this week a different scene emerged. With The Cave opening this last Friday, the deep thump of electro-house bass coming from somewhere deep in the ground attracted young and old into this rocky domain.
With red and green lighting effects all along the surface of the Cave, people started peering inside at 10 pm, minutes after we officially opened the doors. By midnight, the place was packed with people of all ages, crammed at the bar, waiting for their turn to ask for a drink. The Dj (Ross) played for his enthusiastic audience while the bar staff (Ed, Bernie and I) struggled with the amount of people begging for more drinks. By 3 am there was hardly any room left at the Cave for anyone else, and the party had officially started as people jumped and begged for more.
We called it a night at around 5:30 am, politely asking people to leave. A few drunken souls were reluctant to leave, but after much persuading we managed to clean out the club. Overall, it was an amazing opening. Everyone was happy and even though we were all tired, we couldn't contain the joy of having made it a successful night.
The next night was quieter, not as many people came, which was ok, but the atmosphere was just as great. Young people from all over the island had heard of the place and drove to see what it was all about. We ensured them a great time and as Ross played his energetic dark beats, Ed, Bernie and I poured and endless amount of drinks and beers, enjoying the environment.
Trace, the owner, (Smartie Partie) was thrilled to finally have his baby opened and running. This had been a dream of his for 4 years, waiting for the right time to make the contacts, gain the appropriate trust, and lease the place out to open his club here. His personal love for Mallorca and for night life has made his dream come true, and beside the fact that he enjoys watching people have a great time, his charismatic and transparent demeanor has gained the trust of the people of Porto Petro, enabling him to have a hassle-free Grand Opening.
What I've learned so far from my stay in this island, is that things here operate by politics and diplomacy. Having money, like in big cities, isn't enough here. If people turn their backs on you, you should look for another place to stay. And Trace has what a lot of other business men here don't have: honesty. False, two-faced, rich business men here are the everyday thing, but when someone as trustworthy and clear comes along, that attracts just the right contacts.
Trace's positive working ethics have made it a pleasure working for him. Accustomed to working for people who only let you know what you're doing wrong, never showing you that you're appreciated, never thanking you for the hard work, or giving you any positive feedback, has made Trace our new favorite person in Porto Petro. Having previously been a manager myself, I agree and with the importance he gives to positive human relationships within the work space.
Working on the island for people who don't appreciate you makes you feel useless by the end of the day. This has led Ed to rethink his working situation. Ed has decided to quit Varadero after being threatened by the owner to be fired if he continues to work at the Cave during the night. If that man thinks he can dispose of Ed's free time he is mistaken. We are not slaves nor are we married to our jobs; when someone breaches the freedom that every employee should have, there's a turning point in the working relationship. Specially if it's done in the aggressive manner it was done. That's why Ed will be quitting soon, probably today. Even though the money the Cave pays isn't enough to meet our saving expectations, Ed will take a few days to rest and look for another part time job, as I have. If the Cave were open every day of the week, we'd be in heaven, but working only 4 days a week can only pay so much, even if he pay is good. If we want to save enough for future travels, there needs to be a greater income.
So as the nights go by and our days become shorter, Ed and I continue to dream on far away lands and new experiences, trying to look always on the positive side of things and enriching our ordeals by the gain of wisdom, strength and passion.
Latest Comments (1)
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Well done! (reply)
Aug 18, 2006 17:38 EST by kaysersoze
I'm so happy for you, my dear friends.
It's great to see that u're having a good time there, specially at the Cave.
Keep on writing so I can travel with u. :-)
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