Key West Chaos: 3543961 & 1192546991 (Seriously)
okay, so, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. key west. it’s…loud. like, aggressively loud. and humid. like, you’re sweating before you even think about sweating. the pressure’s at 1012, which is basically the same as my blood pressure after a twelve-hour recording session. i’m a touring session drummer, you know? mostly dive bars and slightly bewildered tourists. it’s a vibe.
I landed yesterday, and honestly, the first thing i did was wander around looking for a decent Cuban sandwich. found one. it was…fine. not life-changing, but fine. i’m talking about the whole 3543961 and 1192546991 thing, right? it’s just…there. a weird little number sequence that popped up on a receipt at a vintage shop. i’m convinced it’s a sign. or maybe just a glitch. probably a glitch.
I’m staying in this tiny guesthouse near Duval Street. it smells faintly of saltwater and regret. my neighbor, Mr. Henderson, plays the harmonica at 3 am. he’s a retired fisherman, apparently. he just stares at the wall and makes mournful noises. someone told me that he used to wrestle sharks. i don’t know if that’s true, but it sounds epic. check out some local eats on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?keyword=key%20west%20restaurants
Spent the afternoon wandering around Mallory Square. the street performers are…intense. there was a guy juggling flaming torches and a woman doing interpretive dance with a pineapple. it was a lot. i almost tripped over a guy selling seashell necklaces. they were aggressively sparkly. i overheard a drunk tourist telling another one that the best place to get a margarita is at Sloppy Joe’s. i heard that…it’s a legend.
Here’s the gear list, because i need to document everything, obviously:
My drum kit (obviously)
A ridiculously oversized backpack
Noise-canceling headphones (essential for Mr. Henderson)
A portable charger (because i always forget to charge things)
A notebook and pen (for capturing the chaos)
A bottle of ibuprofen (for the inevitable back pain)
A slightly damp bandana*
I also checked out Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. it’s pretty cool, with cannons and a beach. https://www.ftztyler.org/ The water was a weird shade of turquoise.
I’m trying to find a decent coffee shop. key west coffee is…an experience. it’s usually strong and bitter and served in a paper cup. i need something with actual milk. I’m thinking of hitting up The Salty Dog.
Seriously, if you’re looking for a place to just…exist, key west might be it. it’s a beautiful mess. It’s a weird, beautiful, sweaty mess. If you get bored, Miami is just a short drive away.
I’m going to go find another Cuban sandwich. or maybe just stare at the ocean. or maybe both.
Oh, and one last thing: someone told me that the best way to experience key west is to embrace the chaos. i’m trying. i’m really, really trying.
Check out some local events on TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g31333-Key_West_Florida.html
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