Mexico City, Day 1: Música + Alma + Sexo

Well, I might as well come to terms with the fact that Ricky Martin and I have not eloped, though this is probably evident, as I surely would not have the time nor inclination to blog about the concert if things had turned out as planned.

Despite this epic disappointment, our first day in Mexico City was amazing. Our flight departed and arrived on time. The shuttle from the Toluca airport to the one in Mexico City (strategically planned for best flight times and prices) left and arrived on time and ended up being a free service. We were able to pre-pay for taxi service to our hotel, ensuring that the driver wouldn't "take the long way..." and THEN he drove off very quickly, saving me the tip money. Our hotel let us check in early, enabling us to be well-rested before the bon-bon shaking commenced, and they even arranged for a taxi to pick us up an hour beforehand. This went from a complicated process to an easy ride, though none of this would have been possible without our ever-helpful friend, Vicente, who works for a local airline and has accompanied us on this adventure.

I have adored Ricky Martin since his English debut in 1999. I even have one preciously awkward memory that occurred during the summer session following my freshman year at Texas A&M, in which my friend Jarrett and I stood before his roommate's CD collection, perused the Ricky Martin CDs, and definitively stated "He's gay." We were talking about the roommate, not the singer, but that ended up being true anyway. Neither of us know what happened to this particular roommate, but my friend and I would ultimately come out to each other the following spring. Yeah, because the fact that we both listened to this same CD that aroused a deflecting bout of judgement towards another person shouldn't have tipped us off...

Ricky Martin wouldn't admit his own sexual orientation for another ten years. It delighted boys and traumatized girls the world over. Along with Lance Bass and Neil Patrick Harris, Martin has played an important role in providing strong role models for gay youth in the last few years. Well, maybe not Lance Bass. In the midst of an outbreak of teenage suicides prompted by the torments of public school bullies in late 2010, Bass admitted that he used to be a bit of a turd.

Tonight's concert took place in Palacio de los Deportes, which, as it turns out, is a remnant of the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, when it hosted the basketball portion of the world famous sporting event. In its new life as a concert venue, it has hosted the likes of KISS, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Pearl Jam. And, of course, Ricky Martin. On May 12th, Kylie Minogue brought her Aphrodite Tour to the venue.

Música + Alma + Sexo is a tour de force of more than 20 of Martin's greatest hits...

Set List

"Será Será"

"Dime Me Que Me Quieres"

"It's Alright"

"Que Día Es Hoy"

"Vuelve"

"Livin' la Vida Loca"

"She Bangs"

"Shake Your Bon-Bon"

"Loaded"

"Basta Ya"

"María"

"Tu Recuerdo"

"El Amor de Mi Vida"/"Fuego Contra Fuego"/"Te Extraño, Te Olvido, Te Amo"

"Frío"

"I Am"/"I Don't Care"

"Más"

"Lola, Lola"

"La Bomba"

"Pégate"

"The Cup of Life"

Encore

"Lo Mejor de Mi Vida Eres Tú"

...and despite the fact that the majority of the show was in Spanish, my enjoyment was undeterred. I've been listening to these songs nonstop for weeks. The melodies and music are captivating, regardless of language comprehension.

And I'm sure all of the half-naked men didn't hurt the situation.

Sure, coming all the way to Mexico City to see Ricky Martin was a little bit crazy. But from what I've seen of the city so far, this is going to be a great vacation, whatever the impetus. And it's not like there isn't a precedent: We planned a 2006 summer vacation to New York City around a Madonna concert at Madison Square Garden.

And...while we're speaking of Madonna and New York...I've just learned that Ricky Martin is set to star in an "Evita" revival on Broadway sometime in 2012...