Where in the World: Places where inclement weather heightens the adventure, like New Zealand.
The Inspiration: A cold front that came in right with the beginning of autumn in Pittsburgh. Now, truthfully, I love cool weather, and the world outside is oh-so-tempting to me and my dog right now. The air is becoming crisp, and some of the leaves have yellow edges, and the world is all kinds of lovely. However, the furnace in my house has not been active since last spring, and the new one has been being installed in complicated ways for the past two weeks (I'm learning a lot about it all, though: pipes needed to be replaced, valves needed to be located in walls, the old furnace had to be removed in pieces and cut apart with a torch, fittings didn't fit, etc.). What this means in simple terms is that I'm writing while huddled next to this miracle of a space heater, and last night I baked just to heat up the kitchen.
I was starting to pout way too much about this, but then, something wonderful happened:
I remembered that in much of New Zealand and Australia, homes don't have any sort of central heating because it's not cold for enough of the year for the systems to be worthwhile. Many homes and hostels will have a sort of permanent space heater in common rooms (like you'd find under the window in an average hotel room) and maybe a smaller one on a timer in the bedrooms. Every bathroom I encountered in NZ was flat-out freezing, and for some mysterious reason also had a window cracked just enough for them to feel damp from the winter rain, too.
I noticed all this at the time, but none of it really bothered me. Certainly, I'm spoiled at home with radiators in every room and remember bundling in many, many layers on that trip, but when I was with the Kiwis the cool air was an invitation to toughen up and live in a way that was aware of the seasons and the land. So despite the fact that I'm procrastinating on an important paper in Pittsburgh today, mentally, I'm going to New Zealand, where adrenaline alleviates the chill.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Indiana
Where in the World: Indianapolis, Indiana
The Inspiration: Ok, so this doesn't seem like a terribly exciting location, but in a few weeks the National Samoyed show will be in Indiana, and I'd really like to go. My parents are going to visit a friend from Oregon who will be showing her dogs, and visiting with other friends in Cincinnati and Indy on the way, and I'd love to be part of the trip. Is that silly? Probably not, especially considering these fantastic and hilarious friends.
Also, I'm really ready to just go SOMEWHERE and am particularly envious of travelers lately. Maybe I could get one of those nanny jobs where you travel with a family and take the kids to exotic museums while the parents conduct international business and I could do my homework while the kids have nap time or take their violin lessons at the Parisian conservatory... Do you know people like that? Are they hiring? Can you introduce us? Can you tell that I could use a change of scenery?
The Inspiration: Ok, so this doesn't seem like a terribly exciting location, but in a few weeks the National Samoyed show will be in Indiana, and I'd really like to go. My parents are going to visit a friend from Oregon who will be showing her dogs, and visiting with other friends in Cincinnati and Indy on the way, and I'd love to be part of the trip. Is that silly? Probably not, especially considering these fantastic and hilarious friends.
Also, I'm really ready to just go SOMEWHERE and am particularly envious of travelers lately. Maybe I could get one of those nanny jobs where you travel with a family and take the kids to exotic museums while the parents conduct international business and I could do my homework while the kids have nap time or take their violin lessons at the Parisian conservatory... Do you know people like that? Are they hiring? Can you introduce us? Can you tell that I could use a change of scenery?
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A Great American Road Trip
Where in the World: The Open Road
The Inspiration: Envy, as usual; it seems the seven deadly sins (well, at least lust, envy, greed, gluttony, pride in your adventures, and a dose of sloth on the beach; wrath doesn't fit very well, which is a good thing) are all very closely related when it comes travel. This week I've been talking to a friend who is driving through the West, and during a few moments of clear phone signals I've been getting amazing descriptions of the scenery and wildlife. I loved driving through the Southwest when I was there a year and half ago, and I'd love to see it in the fall when it would be perfect for hiking.
I am also a huge fan road trip music; I think there a some really fantastic songs that deserve the setting of the blue sky and great stretches of lonely highway. My friend's road trip has me humming Matt Costa's "The Road" and the Counting Crows' "Omaha" and "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby" ("We drove out to the desert/ just to lie down beneath this bowl of stars.")which are certainly staples for any trek across Nebraska into the mountains. The play list already has a few items, which are expanding exponentially as I write this, so I think I should stop with the distracted writing, and maybe find a map. As long as I watch my mileage, this is a dream that isn't out of reach. =)
The Inspiration: Envy, as usual; it seems the seven deadly sins (well, at least lust, envy, greed, gluttony, pride in your adventures, and a dose of sloth on the beach; wrath doesn't fit very well, which is a good thing) are all very closely related when it comes travel. This week I've been talking to a friend who is driving through the West, and during a few moments of clear phone signals I've been getting amazing descriptions of the scenery and wildlife. I loved driving through the Southwest when I was there a year and half ago, and I'd love to see it in the fall when it would be perfect for hiking.
I am also a huge fan road trip music; I think there a some really fantastic songs that deserve the setting of the blue sky and great stretches of lonely highway. My friend's road trip has me humming Matt Costa's "The Road" and the Counting Crows' "Omaha" and "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby" ("We drove out to the desert/ just to lie down beneath this bowl of stars.")which are certainly staples for any trek across Nebraska into the mountains. The play list already has a few items, which are expanding exponentially as I write this, so I think I should stop with the distracted writing, and maybe find a map. As long as I watch my mileage, this is a dream that isn't out of reach. =)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Greece
Where in the World: Greece
The Inspiration: A friend's photos of hiking on Mount Olympus. So far my attraction to Greece had been half-based on stories of the lovely islands and coastline dotted with white and blue houses, and half on the lure of ancient myths and archaeology. Somehow I had never before considered the wonders of hiking in mountains of the gods, and now I'm entirely engaged in this daydream. There is so much of the world begging to be explored!
The Inspiration: A friend's photos of hiking on Mount Olympus. So far my attraction to Greece had been half-based on stories of the lovely islands and coastline dotted with white and blue houses, and half on the lure of ancient myths and archaeology. Somehow I had never before considered the wonders of hiking in mountains of the gods, and now I'm entirely engaged in this daydream. There is so much of the world begging to be explored!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Go West!
Where in the World: Westward! Mostly to the coastal states.
The Inspiration: "Paradise is there," among other things. This weekend starts a series of weeks where I would like to be on the west coast. For starters, there will be a fantastic party to celebrate my cousin's 30th birthday in San Francisco. Then, my best friend will be completing some tremendously challenging tests, during which time I'd like to provide moral support and ice cream, and be there at the completion to celebrate her overall brilliance and success, and help her move half way across the country again. Also, I'd love a chance to just visit and talk with my brother, who lives in Seattle, and I'm feeling more and more like I'll need a plane ticket to do that. Oh, and he invited me to go to a really fabulous music festival with him in three weeks, so that too.
All of these lovely attractants exist without even mentioning the overwhelming beauty of the Pacific Northwest when it's not raining, the loveliness of Pacific coastlines, the delightful temperance of San Francisco's weather, and the glorious buttes and curves and wide open landscapes from southern California to south central Texas. I'm all full of itinerant lusting today.
The Inspiration: "Paradise is there," among other things. This weekend starts a series of weeks where I would like to be on the west coast. For starters, there will be a fantastic party to celebrate my cousin's 30th birthday in San Francisco. Then, my best friend will be completing some tremendously challenging tests, during which time I'd like to provide moral support and ice cream, and be there at the completion to celebrate her overall brilliance and success, and help her move half way across the country again. Also, I'd love a chance to just visit and talk with my brother, who lives in Seattle, and I'm feeling more and more like I'll need a plane ticket to do that. Oh, and he invited me to go to a really fabulous music festival with him in three weeks, so that too.
All of these lovely attractants exist without even mentioning the overwhelming beauty of the Pacific Northwest when it's not raining, the loveliness of Pacific coastlines, the delightful temperance of San Francisco's weather, and the glorious buttes and curves and wide open landscapes from southern California to south central Texas. I'm all full of itinerant lusting today.
Friday, August 14, 2009
My Golden Ticket Dilemma
Warning: Ignorance may be bliss regarding this one.
Where in the World: ANYWHERE that JetBlue Flies, September 8- October 8, for $599.
The Inspiration: It's pretty obvious that I've found an airline special, isn't it? I think I'm in love with JetBlue. Check this crazy action out (go ahead, I'll be right here debating and waiting for you to get back): http://www.jetblue.com/deals/all-you-can-jet/?intcmp=HPHero1Eng_All-You-Can-JetPass
Here's the tricky part: this is AMAZING, but I work on the weekends, and go to school during the week. I don't know if I could take off all of the weekends in September without getting fired, or even to have enough cash to eat and stay in all the places I'd like to visit in that month. If this were for August, while I don't have classes, there is no question that I would already be a happy vagrant, sending a postcard goodbye to my tea shop job. My tea shop job is nice, though, and they are very kind to accommodate my occasionally ridiculous class schedule, and I am very far from wealthy and need the cash. Knowing that this special exists is rather torturous, though; it's my Pandora's box, full of all sort of delights and evils, and nearly impossible to avoid opening.
Hmmmm.... Perhaps I can get someone to pay me to travel, and to write about it? I think tonight I'll fall asleep singing "I've got a golden ticket!" and dream about just that.
Where in the World: ANYWHERE that JetBlue Flies, September 8- October 8, for $599.
The Inspiration: It's pretty obvious that I've found an airline special, isn't it? I think I'm in love with JetBlue. Check this crazy action out (go ahead, I'll be right here debating and waiting for you to get back): http://www.jetblue.com/deals/all-you-can-jet/?intcmp=HPHero1Eng_All-You-Can-JetPass
Here's the tricky part: this is AMAZING, but I work on the weekends, and go to school during the week. I don't know if I could take off all of the weekends in September without getting fired, or even to have enough cash to eat and stay in all the places I'd like to visit in that month. If this were for August, while I don't have classes, there is no question that I would already be a happy vagrant, sending a postcard goodbye to my tea shop job. My tea shop job is nice, though, and they are very kind to accommodate my occasionally ridiculous class schedule, and I am very far from wealthy and need the cash. Knowing that this special exists is rather torturous, though; it's my Pandora's box, full of all sort of delights and evils, and nearly impossible to avoid opening.
Hmmmm.... Perhaps I can get someone to pay me to travel, and to write about it? I think tonight I'll fall asleep singing "I've got a golden ticket!" and dream about just that.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Into the Woods
Where in the World: A Cabin in the Woods
The Inspiration: A sense of peace. Things got pretty busy there for me at the end of the semester, and my family reunion to honor my grandpa's 80th birthday just happened to overlap with the last week of classes. My family, particularly my mom, hosted all 29 of the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who came for almost a week. It was a happy sort of chaos, but a good bit of chaos nonetheless, and we were all exhausted before the last airport run on Tuesday evening. I had the "burden" of staying behind at the cabin for two days to do all of the laundry that we had left behind. It actually did take that long to get through the majority of it (and I still had to bring some sheets back home to wash here) but it was FANTASTIC to spend two days alone at the cabin with my dog. We had the woods, the lake, and the whole lovely cabin to ourselves. The first night noises from the field kept Angie on high alert all evening, which made me nervous, but red wine and full, orange moon more than made up for it. I'm so thankful that I have access to such a lovely place (it's owned by my generous aunt and uncle on the other side of my family), and I'm thinking I might just ask if I can go back the the very next time I have two days off in a row. =)
The Inspiration: A sense of peace. Things got pretty busy there for me at the end of the semester, and my family reunion to honor my grandpa's 80th birthday just happened to overlap with the last week of classes. My family, particularly my mom, hosted all 29 of the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who came for almost a week. It was a happy sort of chaos, but a good bit of chaos nonetheless, and we were all exhausted before the last airport run on Tuesday evening. I had the "burden" of staying behind at the cabin for two days to do all of the laundry that we had left behind. It actually did take that long to get through the majority of it (and I still had to bring some sheets back home to wash here) but it was FANTASTIC to spend two days alone at the cabin with my dog. We had the woods, the lake, and the whole lovely cabin to ourselves. The first night noises from the field kept Angie on high alert all evening, which made me nervous, but red wine and full, orange moon more than made up for it. I'm so thankful that I have access to such a lovely place (it's owned by my generous aunt and uncle on the other side of my family), and I'm thinking I might just ask if I can go back the the very next time I have two days off in a row. =)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Bargain Huting
Where in the World: That's up to you!
Today I read this nice little article from the NY Times "Practical Traveler" and had to pass it along: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/travel/26prac.html?ref=travel
It's the end of the semester, and I'm not going to Australia next week, which is still disappointing despite being a rational choice. I'm guessing that I'm not the only one who is distracting herself with visions of beaches and mountains and the smiles of distant friends. I am a bargain shopper by choice and necessity, so sometimes I try to pay a little bit of attention to fare patterns and to help determine how I can make the most of my time off. This article is a good starting point, and it's always smart for students to talk to a travel agent to see if she can find any discounted fares for you, too.
Also, this will probably be my last post for the semester. I've been enjoying pretending that I have an audience for my rambling wishes and stories, so I'm going to try to keep up with the blog. However, I'm guessing that the frequency of my posts and number of my "followers" will drop, so I wanted to say thank you for reading and for sharing! Happy travels!
Today I read this nice little article from the NY Times "Practical Traveler" and had to pass it along: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/travel/26prac.html?ref=travel
It's the end of the semester, and I'm not going to Australia next week, which is still disappointing despite being a rational choice. I'm guessing that I'm not the only one who is distracting herself with visions of beaches and mountains and the smiles of distant friends. I am a bargain shopper by choice and necessity, so sometimes I try to pay a little bit of attention to fare patterns and to help determine how I can make the most of my time off. This article is a good starting point, and it's always smart for students to talk to a travel agent to see if she can find any discounted fares for you, too.
Also, this will probably be my last post for the semester. I've been enjoying pretending that I have an audience for my rambling wishes and stories, so I'm going to try to keep up with the blog. However, I'm guessing that the frequency of my posts and number of my "followers" will drop, so I wanted to say thank you for reading and for sharing! Happy travels!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Iceland!
Where in the World: Iceland
The Inspiration: Helping a friend plan a trip (hooray for variety in inspiration!). Iceland is crazy beautiful, due to their economic woes their currency favors American tourists, it's cold but there are lovely hot springs. My friend is planning a couples-y trip, so I might have to plan my own adventure rather than tagging along (being a fifth wheel for the movies can be a bit awkward; being a fifth wheel for a vacation would have, um, significantly more potential for awkwardness). Every time I learn a little more about Iceland, I realize I need to bump it up on my must-see list.
To start being dazzled on your own, I suggest http://www.icelandtouristboard.com/
The Inspiration: Helping a friend plan a trip (hooray for variety in inspiration!). Iceland is crazy beautiful, due to their economic woes their currency favors American tourists, it's cold but there are lovely hot springs. My friend is planning a couples-y trip, so I might have to plan my own adventure rather than tagging along (being a fifth wheel for the movies can be a bit awkward; being a fifth wheel for a vacation would have, um, significantly more potential for awkwardness). Every time I learn a little more about Iceland, I realize I need to bump it up on my must-see list.
To start being dazzled on your own, I suggest http://www.icelandtouristboard.com/Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Roma!
Where in the World: Rome, Italy
The Inspiration: You've already guessed it. Last night we made homemade pizza, and it was alright-- good, actually-- but in Italy it's heavenly. Gnocchi is one of my favorite foods, but since I had it in Rome nothing else has seemed nearly as good. Then there is gelato, which we have already established as one of my all time favorites...
There's more to Rome than the food, of course. In fact, the history is so thick you breathe it everywhere, and can quite literally stumble into something that is centuries old and being ignored for another object of more impressive origins right next to it. I only had three real days in Rome, and was overwhelmed by all there was to see. I realized that I could live there as a tourist for years and still not soak in half of it, but I would love to try.
This is one of the halls leading to the Sistine Chapel; the scope and detail are incredible.
Here I am with the Colosseum! We had to walk a block and a half to be able to get a photo in which we could show the whole building.
This is my brother, B, expressing his enthusiasm for our favorite dessert. The cone in this photo was actually his second one during that visit to the gelato shop. =)
The Inspiration: You've already guessed it. Last night we made homemade pizza, and it was alright-- good, actually-- but in Italy it's heavenly. Gnocchi is one of my favorite foods, but since I had it in Rome nothing else has seemed nearly as good. Then there is gelato, which we have already established as one of my all time favorites...
There's more to Rome than the food, of course. In fact, the history is so thick you breathe it everywhere, and can quite literally stumble into something that is centuries old and being ignored for another object of more impressive origins right next to it. I only had three real days in Rome, and was overwhelmed by all there was to see. I realized that I could live there as a tourist for years and still not soak in half of it, but I would love to try.
This is one of the halls leading to the Sistine Chapel; the scope and detail are incredible.
Here I am with the Colosseum! We had to walk a block and a half to be able to get a photo in which we could show the whole building.
This is my brother, B, expressing his enthusiasm for our favorite dessert. The cone in this photo was actually his second one during that visit to the gelato shop. =)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Qatar
Where in the World: Qatar
The Inspiration: Well, to be clear, I'm not sure I want to go. I'm super curious now though, because in the last 24 hours I've heard people talking about visiting Qatar THREE times, completely independently: the first was in class last night, then in my other class this morning (there are no overlapping students, other than me) and then while I was waiting for my latte at the coffee shop today. Isn't that strange?
Here's what I do know about Qatar. It's on the Persian Gulf, in a region of the world where I've always wanted to go, partially because it's full of mystery for me. It's got the second highest per-capita income in the world. It's natural hazards include "haze". There is an 89% literacy rate. It has about 350 miles of coastline, and only one land border (with Saudi Arabia). That all sounds rather lovely, other than the haze and the probably-very-expensive part. However, and this is important, it's quite hot there. According to http://www.qatarvisitor.com/
The Inspiration: Well, to be clear, I'm not sure I want to go. I'm super curious now though, because in the last 24 hours I've heard people talking about visiting Qatar THREE times, completely independently: the first was in class last night, then in my other class this morning (there are no overlapping students, other than me) and then while I was waiting for my latte at the coffee shop today. Isn't that strange?
Here's what I do know about Qatar. It's on the Persian Gulf, in a region of the world where I've always wanted to go, partially because it's full of mystery for me. It's got the second highest per-capita income in the world. It's natural hazards include "haze". There is an 89% literacy rate. It has about 350 miles of coastline, and only one land border (with Saudi Arabia). That all sounds rather lovely, other than the haze and the probably-very-expensive part. However, and this is important, it's quite hot there. According to http://www.qatarvisitor.com/
"Hottest average temperatures in Qatar peak at around 41 Celsius in June and July. Of course, that doesn’t reflect what it is really like to be out in the sun in the middle of the day when temperatures can reach or pass 50 degrees Celsius. It’s also worse in the city, where air-conditioners pump cold air into the houses but hot air into the city. The towns are also located in the coastal areas, where there is greater humidity. Everyone who can leaves Qatar for the summer."That sounds awful; really, really awful. For reference, 50º C is 122º F. Sooooo, if you're one of those people who loves Qatar, you should tell me why I should want to go there.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Going Visiting
Where in the World: to the Traveling Friends
Inspiration: a variant on the same nostalgia. When I was in Australia, I toured the Melbourne Cricket Grounds and pretended I knew a little bit about the sports they play there. I wouldn't have gone on my own, but B described the MCG as "the Fenway of the Southern Hemisphere," we found it and took the tour. The tour guide was very good, a member of the cricket club, but he assumed that we knew about cricket and Aussie rules football because we were interested in seeing the arena, which wasn't true at all. My knowledge of cricket mostly came from Bill Bryson's "In a Sunburned Country," in which he talks about how little sense there is in the game, and incorporates things like unicorns into his descriptions.
Our group was small, and I asked a couple little questions which the guide clearly found juvenile, but especially because I was the only woman on our tour I didn't want to be *that* girl, I mostly walked around perplexed. When the guide was showing us a practice area that resembled a batting cage but talking about rotating bowlers and wickets I whispered to another visitor, "What does that mean?" and he replied in an Irish accent, "I have no idea. I'm here for the football." Hooray! B and I weren't the only ones who didn't know a thing! Newly empowered by my touring peer's lack of knowledge, I asked a few more questions, and laughed more openly at my ignorance.
The fun part of this anecdote is the original point of today's post; the Irish man, C, chatted with B and me through the rest of the tour, and then we all went for a coffee afterward. He was in Melbourne visiting his sister, and playing in international Gaelic-rules football tournaments, and was glad for the company; my brother and I were glad for variety in our conversation. After that little encounter, we started emailing, and C has now been a reliable pen-pal for two years.
It's the friends like him who I'd like to visit today, the people you meet who are just fun to hang out with, and with whom it would be nice to just have a bit more time. There's the Australian woman who we met on the plane to Singapore, and then had dinner with in London, the Kiwi family who hosted us for a night in Christchurch, the owners of the hostel in the Aran Islands who practiced genuine hosptiality and occasionally traded beds for work, my friend's sister who made the Sydney suburbs exciting. There's a whole subculture of travel where people say, "You know so-and so? Well then of course you can sleep on my couch for a few days! What would you like for dinner?" There are now the couch surfing sites etc., but I'm not sure I'm that open to complete strangers. It's the people I've met on the way who I'd like to see again, whose company is today's dream destination for me.
Inspiration: a variant on the same nostalgia. When I was in Australia, I toured the Melbourne Cricket Grounds and pretended I knew a little bit about the sports they play there. I wouldn't have gone on my own, but B described the MCG as "the Fenway of the Southern Hemisphere," we found it and took the tour. The tour guide was very good, a member of the cricket club, but he assumed that we knew about cricket and Aussie rules football because we were interested in seeing the arena, which wasn't true at all. My knowledge of cricket mostly came from Bill Bryson's "In a Sunburned Country," in which he talks about how little sense there is in the game, and incorporates things like unicorns into his descriptions.
Our group was small, and I asked a couple little questions which the guide clearly found juvenile, but especially because I was the only woman on our tour I didn't want to be *that* girl, I mostly walked around perplexed. When the guide was showing us a practice area that resembled a batting cage but talking about rotating bowlers and wickets I whispered to another visitor, "What does that mean?" and he replied in an Irish accent, "I have no idea. I'm here for the football." Hooray! B and I weren't the only ones who didn't know a thing! Newly empowered by my touring peer's lack of knowledge, I asked a few more questions, and laughed more openly at my ignorance.
The fun part of this anecdote is the original point of today's post; the Irish man, C, chatted with B and me through the rest of the tour, and then we all went for a coffee afterward. He was in Melbourne visiting his sister, and playing in international Gaelic-rules football tournaments, and was glad for the company; my brother and I were glad for variety in our conversation. After that little encounter, we started emailing, and C has now been a reliable pen-pal for two years.
It's the friends like him who I'd like to visit today, the people you meet who are just fun to hang out with, and with whom it would be nice to just have a bit more time. There's the Australian woman who we met on the plane to Singapore, and then had dinner with in London, the Kiwi family who hosted us for a night in Christchurch, the owners of the hostel in the Aran Islands who practiced genuine hosptiality and occasionally traded beds for work, my friend's sister who made the Sydney suburbs exciting. There's a whole subculture of travel where people say, "You know so-and so? Well then of course you can sleep on my couch for a few days! What would you like for dinner?" There are now the couch surfing sites etc., but I'm not sure I'm that open to complete strangers. It's the people I've met on the way who I'd like to see again, whose company is today's dream destination for me.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Chautauqua Institution
Where in the World: The Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, New York
The Inspiration: Looking for a place to get away with friends that's not too far away. Family friends have had a cabin there since I was little, and I've always been a nerd, so I've always been intrigued by a place that was "founded on the belief that everyone 'has a right to be all that he can be -- to know all that he can know.'" Every day of their entire summer schedule is full of fascinating lectures, concerts, sermons, and art classes in a really lovely setting. Elie Wiesel and Justice Anthony Kennedy are two of this the speakers this year on a stage that has also hosted Franklin Roosevelt, Susan B. Anthony, and Ameila Earhart. I'm thinking of going after the summer class term ends and learning just for the fun of it for a few days. If that's appealing to you too, you may want to check out their website: http://www.ciweb.org/
PS: Here's something a bit crazy: spell check struggles with "New Zealand" but is fine with "Chautauqua." How does that work?
The Inspiration: Looking for a place to get away with friends that's not too far away. Family friends have had a cabin there since I was little, and I've always been a nerd, so I've always been intrigued by a place that was "founded on the belief that everyone 'has a right to be all that he can be -- to know all that he can know.'" Every day of their entire summer schedule is full of fascinating lectures, concerts, sermons, and art classes in a really lovely setting. Elie Wiesel and Justice Anthony Kennedy are two of this the speakers this year on a stage that has also hosted Franklin Roosevelt, Susan B. Anthony, and Ameila Earhart. I'm thinking of going after the summer class term ends and learning just for the fun of it for a few days. If that's appealing to you too, you may want to check out their website: http://www.ciweb.org/
PS: Here's something a bit crazy: spell check struggles with "New Zealand" but is fine with "Chautauqua." How does that work?
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Hiking on the Edge
Where in the World: A Rocky Ledge with Great Views; Katoomba Australia would be nice, but Utah could work, too.
The Inspiration: More reminiscing. Two years ago today, B and I had progressed to Australia, and my friends in Sydney took us out to the Blue Mountains to hike for the day.
I believe this was in the area known as the King's Tableland. From here, we went to see The Three Sisters rock formation, and hiked around there. I couldn't get over the fact that there were wild cockatoos in the woods; my friends couldn't believe we were surprised.
It was a fantastic day, and remembering it has me anxious for my next wilderness adventure.
The Inspiration: More reminiscing. Two years ago today, B and I had progressed to Australia, and my friends in Sydney took us out to the Blue Mountains to hike for the day.
I believe this was in the area known as the King's Tableland. From here, we went to see The Three Sisters rock formation, and hiked around there. I couldn't get over the fact that there were wild cockatoos in the woods; my friends couldn't believe we were surprised.
It was a fantastic day, and remembering it has me anxious for my next wilderness adventure.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Kiwis have a pretty strong sense of humor.
Now Qantas is by far the best airline that I've taken. However, Air New Zealand "has nothing to hide," and they really make me laugh, so I'm considering them for my next Pacific adventure. One of the funniest airline ads ever:
Sunday, June 28, 2009
"Excuse me, is this the town?"
Where in the World: The tiny towns along New Zealand routes 1, 6, and 7 between Kaikoura and Franz Josef.
The Inspiration: Nostalgia etc.; I did warn you. Once upon at time exactly two years ago, I stopped at an intersection near Victoria Forest Park, New Zealand. We got out of the car, and I approached a man walking down the side of the road, and said, "Excuse me, is this the town?" It was a reasonable question. Other than the "T" intersection of the highways that matched the map, there were only three buildings to indicate any sort of town-ness. The man laughed, and told me it actually was Springs Junction, and asked me what I had been expecting. At the puzzling advice of the woman from whom we tried to rent a motel room, we pressed on to Reefton for food and shelter that night. The next day we drove to Punakaiki, and then south down the coast to Franz Josef. Since I'm all misty-eyed over it, and I'm not sure you actually exist, lovely reader, I'm going to show off some more of the photos that are inspiring me. It's also worth noting that neither words or photos could ever adequately capture the beauty of that landscape.
This was on the "highway" across central New Zealand.
The plains run right up to the mountains, and make the geology lessons about the power of glaciers make sense.
This drive was unbelievable
As we got closer to the coast, the snow on the mountains vanished and was replaced by vegitation that looked delightfully prehistoric.
Here's me at the Pancake Rocks, which are amazing rock formations on the west coast. It was freezing cold, and raining, and I was so happy to be there.
The Maori name for New Zealand translates to "Land of the Long White Cloud," so when the views were obscured by fog I felt like I was at least having an authentic Kiwi experience. It actually added to the landscape, and gave it a sort of mythical property. This is one of my favorite photos.
The Inspiration: Nostalgia etc.; I did warn you. Once upon at time exactly two years ago, I stopped at an intersection near Victoria Forest Park, New Zealand. We got out of the car, and I approached a man walking down the side of the road, and said, "Excuse me, is this the town?" It was a reasonable question. Other than the "T" intersection of the highways that matched the map, there were only three buildings to indicate any sort of town-ness. The man laughed, and told me it actually was Springs Junction, and asked me what I had been expecting. At the puzzling advice of the woman from whom we tried to rent a motel room, we pressed on to Reefton for food and shelter that night. The next day we drove to Punakaiki, and then south down the coast to Franz Josef. Since I'm all misty-eyed over it, and I'm not sure you actually exist, lovely reader, I'm going to show off some more of the photos that are inspiring me. It's also worth noting that neither words or photos could ever adequately capture the beauty of that landscape.
This was on the "highway" across central New Zealand.
The plains run right up to the mountains, and make the geology lessons about the power of glaciers make sense.
This drive was unbelievable
As we got closer to the coast, the snow on the mountains vanished and was replaced by vegitation that looked delightfully prehistoric.
Here's me at the Pancake Rocks, which are amazing rock formations on the west coast. It was freezing cold, and raining, and I was so happy to be there.
The Maori name for New Zealand translates to "Land of the Long White Cloud," so when the views were obscured by fog I felt like I was at least having an authentic Kiwi experience. It actually added to the landscape, and gave it a sort of mythical property. This is one of my favorite photos.
Friday, June 26, 2009
New Zealand
Where in the World: New ZealandThe Inspiration: Nostalgia, and the fact that I didn't really want to leave the first time I was there. Two years ago, I left LA on a flight around 11pm on June 25, and 15 hours later I arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, around 7:30am on June 27. That's not a typo, the first part of my trip to New Zealand actually involved time travel, and I think that's crazy cool.* Of course, that's just the beginning. My trip lasted a total of 40 days, and so for the next 40 days I'm predicting that I'll be daydreaming about revisiting most of the places that I went to on that adventure. With that in mind, it's only fair to share a bit of what I saw on my first day in NZ.
I met up with my brother in Auckland, and we flew together to Christchurch. This is what NZ looks like from the air.
We rented a car, and drove from Christchurch to Kaikoura. We had to stop a few times on the way there, because it was simply too beautiful to just drive by.
Kaikoura is in an area with several marine sancutaries. We went directly to the beach to see the seals. I was just a little excited.
We then went for a walk along the cliffs. I was thrilled to be looking east towards the Pacific Ocean, and the scenery just took my breath away.
I may have chased these sheep a little bit, and then decided it was proof of my natural shepherding skills, and that I could live there forever.
This photo doesn't do justice to the colors we saw there; it was unspeakably beautiful. That's why I need to go back to see it again. =)
*You know what else isn't a typo? The spelling of "New Zealand". The spell checker keeps underlining it like it's wrong, which I think is pretty irksome. It's a country, for goodness sake! It's not like I'm using the Maori name, Aotearoa.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
My Favorite Trail at the Park
Where in the World: My Favorite Trail at the Park
The Inspiration: Today's non-adventure. Class let out early this evening and it was such perfect weather that I was really excited to be able to go to the park. I went home and got Angie, my dog, and arrived at the time of evening that comes right before dusk, where the eastern part of sky is almost white, and the opposite edge is just getting darker. Angie was all fired up because it was cooler, and the animals at the park are more active and more fun to chase.
We started towards our favorite trail, a wide dirt road that loops outside of the paved circle, and I felt a little pang of guilt because I had promised not to go there by myself; a man who could be reported as "a streaker" at best had been seen in the woods recently, and when my parents saw a sign about it they made a point of asking me not to go alone. As we approached the trail, I realized how long it's been since I was there in the evening; the trees' leaves have grown in, and the trail was a lovely, dusky green, perfected by the combination of rains earlier in the week and today's heat. It was beautiful, but already almost too late to be setting off into the woods. I paused at the trail-head and read the homemade sign for myself. It warned women not to travel alone, that a "NAKED CREEPER GUY" had been spotted in the woods, and that he had put shorts on and run away when he was seen, and the police were investigating. So I sighed, and remembered what I'd told my parents, and looked at Angie, who had bounded ahead and was watching me expectantly. Then, dear reader, I swear that it bubbled into my mind and I just had to say it:
"Come on Angie. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep..."
We turned around and walked around the big, paved loop. I was stunned at how few people were there, considering the fantastic weather, and for most of the walk it was like being in the woods except for Angie's nails clicking on the concrete. The road did have the other advantage of showcasing one of my favorite summer sights at the park: a family in a car driving as slowly as possible with sleepy but wide eyed children in the back seat, peering out the windows with flashlights, hoping to see coyotes. =)
We finished our walk with just a bit of daylight left, an inch of orange stretched across the horizon. Driving home I had to laugh: with the danger of creepers and coyotes, who wouldn't consider a walk at the park to be a little adventure?
The Inspiration: Today's non-adventure. Class let out early this evening and it was such perfect weather that I was really excited to be able to go to the park. I went home and got Angie, my dog, and arrived at the time of evening that comes right before dusk, where the eastern part of sky is almost white, and the opposite edge is just getting darker. Angie was all fired up because it was cooler, and the animals at the park are more active and more fun to chase.
We started towards our favorite trail, a wide dirt road that loops outside of the paved circle, and I felt a little pang of guilt because I had promised not to go there by myself; a man who could be reported as "a streaker" at best had been seen in the woods recently, and when my parents saw a sign about it they made a point of asking me not to go alone. As we approached the trail, I realized how long it's been since I was there in the evening; the trees' leaves have grown in, and the trail was a lovely, dusky green, perfected by the combination of rains earlier in the week and today's heat. It was beautiful, but already almost too late to be setting off into the woods. I paused at the trail-head and read the homemade sign for myself. It warned women not to travel alone, that a "NAKED CREEPER GUY" had been spotted in the woods, and that he had put shorts on and run away when he was seen, and the police were investigating. So I sighed, and remembered what I'd told my parents, and looked at Angie, who had bounded ahead and was watching me expectantly. Then, dear reader, I swear that it bubbled into my mind and I just had to say it:
"Come on Angie. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep..."
We turned around and walked around the big, paved loop. I was stunned at how few people were there, considering the fantastic weather, and for most of the walk it was like being in the woods except for Angie's nails clicking on the concrete. The road did have the other advantage of showcasing one of my favorite summer sights at the park: a family in a car driving as slowly as possible with sleepy but wide eyed children in the back seat, peering out the windows with flashlights, hoping to see coyotes. =)
We finished our walk with just a bit of daylight left, an inch of orange stretched across the horizon. Driving home I had to laugh: with the danger of creepers and coyotes, who wouldn't consider a walk at the park to be a little adventure?
Monday, June 22, 2009
A Culinary Tour of Europe
Where in the World: A Culinary Tour of Europe.
The Inspiration: Accurate stereotypes. Seriously. And, if you haven't noticed yet, a fondness for delicious food. Today I was reading and writing about ethnic stereotypes and humor for one of my classes, and came across this joke:
“Heaven is where the police are English, the cooks are French, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian and everything is organized by the Swiss. Hell is where the police are German, the cooks are English, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss, and everything is organized by the Italians.”
It was in the article “Science gets the last laugh on ethnic jokes” by Kathleen Wren, and although she said it was an old joke, I hadn’t read it before, and thought it was hilarious (the rest of the article is pretty interesting, too). I haven’t visited Switzerland yet, and I’ve only been to the airport in Munich (which was, incidentally, a model of efficiency on which all international airports could be based) but it got me thinking about the fact and fiction of stereotypes that I encountered when I’ve been in Europe.
When we were in college (for the first time) my best friend, who has always been braver than I am, decided to spend her junior year studying the French political system while in France. I promised to visit her, and since I always work very hard to keep my travel promises, I went at the end of her school year in Paris. I took French in high school, which was close to useless, and a year of French in college, which was marginally better, so it’s generous to call my linguistic abilities “limited”. So, stereotype in mind, I was really worried that I would have a terrible time in Paris not being able to speak to anyone. Of course I was wrong; I loved all of it. I had S to speak for me when my words were inadequate, and I didn’t encounter a single rude French person. Every time I tried to speak French, I was met with encouragement, understanding, and often a reply in English to help me along. I read somewhere a few years ago that the number of tourists visiting Paris ever year is nearly 10 times the size of the population. When I imagine living in a place where only one out of every ten people on the street is a citizen, I find it staggering that the locals would acknowledge the visitors, let alone go out of their way to be kind to the deluge of tourists. However, when I got myself a wee bit lost on my independent day in the city (S was finishing a term paper) I met several Parisians, and that’s exactly what they did.
There are a zillion lovely things that I could tell you about my week in Paris, but I started writing today with the intention of telling you that the food in Paris lives up to whatever lofty, stereotypical expectations you may have, from the street vendors to the nicest restaurant we could afford (which, notably, was far from the best restaurant in Paris). The only meal that was less than excellent was when we went to the Mexican restaurant that S took me to because it was where she would go when she was a bit homesick; the food was beautifully prepared with quality ingredients, but it was astonishingly bland. However, after that dinner I got my first taste of gelato, the most delightful dessert on the planet, so it was a great culinary evening after all.
Lovely reader, I was going to tell you all about how I went to Rome for the history and the food, and how each exceeded my expectations there as well, but I think that will have to wait for now. In the meantime, I did dig up some photos of my trip to Paris. They’re each worth a story of at least 1000 words, but this will have to do for now.
This scene was on the cover of my high school French book, so when I was in Paris I had to go have my portrait drawn. This artist is Damien, and he has twinkling eyes, and only one arm, so he'd hold one pencil in his teeth while drawing with another.
This is where I first tried real gelato. I was excited enough to be taking pictures before I'd even tried it.
S and me at Versailles. There are somethings that you have to see to believe; Versailles is hard to believe even once you've seen it. =)
The Inspiration: Accurate stereotypes. Seriously. And, if you haven't noticed yet, a fondness for delicious food. Today I was reading and writing about ethnic stereotypes and humor for one of my classes, and came across this joke:
“Heaven is where the police are English, the cooks are French, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian and everything is organized by the Swiss. Hell is where the police are German, the cooks are English, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss, and everything is organized by the Italians.”
It was in the article “Science gets the last laugh on ethnic jokes” by Kathleen Wren, and although she said it was an old joke, I hadn’t read it before, and thought it was hilarious (the rest of the article is pretty interesting, too). I haven’t visited Switzerland yet, and I’ve only been to the airport in Munich (which was, incidentally, a model of efficiency on which all international airports could be based) but it got me thinking about the fact and fiction of stereotypes that I encountered when I’ve been in Europe.
When we were in college (for the first time) my best friend, who has always been braver than I am, decided to spend her junior year studying the French political system while in France. I promised to visit her, and since I always work very hard to keep my travel promises, I went at the end of her school year in Paris. I took French in high school, which was close to useless, and a year of French in college, which was marginally better, so it’s generous to call my linguistic abilities “limited”. So, stereotype in mind, I was really worried that I would have a terrible time in Paris not being able to speak to anyone. Of course I was wrong; I loved all of it. I had S to speak for me when my words were inadequate, and I didn’t encounter a single rude French person. Every time I tried to speak French, I was met with encouragement, understanding, and often a reply in English to help me along. I read somewhere a few years ago that the number of tourists visiting Paris ever year is nearly 10 times the size of the population. When I imagine living in a place where only one out of every ten people on the street is a citizen, I find it staggering that the locals would acknowledge the visitors, let alone go out of their way to be kind to the deluge of tourists. However, when I got myself a wee bit lost on my independent day in the city (S was finishing a term paper) I met several Parisians, and that’s exactly what they did.
There are a zillion lovely things that I could tell you about my week in Paris, but I started writing today with the intention of telling you that the food in Paris lives up to whatever lofty, stereotypical expectations you may have, from the street vendors to the nicest restaurant we could afford (which, notably, was far from the best restaurant in Paris). The only meal that was less than excellent was when we went to the Mexican restaurant that S took me to because it was where she would go when she was a bit homesick; the food was beautifully prepared with quality ingredients, but it was astonishingly bland. However, after that dinner I got my first taste of gelato, the most delightful dessert on the planet, so it was a great culinary evening after all.
Lovely reader, I was going to tell you all about how I went to Rome for the history and the food, and how each exceeded my expectations there as well, but I think that will have to wait for now. In the meantime, I did dig up some photos of my trip to Paris. They’re each worth a story of at least 1000 words, but this will have to do for now.
This scene was on the cover of my high school French book, so when I was in Paris I had to go have my portrait drawn. This artist is Damien, and he has twinkling eyes, and only one arm, so he'd hold one pencil in his teeth while drawing with another.
This is where I first tried real gelato. I was excited enough to be taking pictures before I'd even tried it.
S and me at Versailles. There are somethings that you have to see to believe; Versailles is hard to believe even once you've seen it. =)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Melbourne
Where in the World: Melbourne, Australia
The Inspiration: Good friends and a cheap plane ticket. Here's a true story: Last night I was up until 3:00 (which is midnight in California, and therefore the last minute for the sale that ended on June 16) staring at my computer screen, trying to figure out how to take advantage of amazing air fares. I had to called my friend JC in Melbourne twice, first to make sure the dates worked for visiting, and then because I had run out of ideas and was still indecisive, and he was the only person I knew who was awake. Okay, that's half true: I could have called my friends N&P, who also live in Melbourne, but N would help me be excited and not reasonable, when JC could try to be both. In the end, at 3:02, I closed the window asking for my credit card information, and the logical, responsible half of my personality beat out the adventurous half. Now, I know that was the better choice, but today Qantas extended the sale (although all the tickets have gone up by at least $100 each way) and after spending a day imagining all the fun I'd have visiting Melbourne and some of my other Aussie friends, I just want to get there soon, and I'm pouting like a two year old about it.
I visited Melbourne for the first time almost exactly two years ago with my brother, when JC was unfortunately out of the country and I hadn't even met N&P yet. We had a fantastic time without knowing anyone in the city, and I can only imagine it being better with delightful friends. Since I have photos from that trip, I thought I'd share.
This is my brother in Melbourne. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of this bridge.
In most major cities, you're encouraged to avoid the alleys. In Melbourne, they tell you to go check them out. It turns out that they're full of wonderful restaurants and interesting little shops.
We also took a day trip from Melbourne to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade, which is one of the most charming natural phenomenons in history. We were not permitted to photograph the penguins, but the whole trip was full of fun sights.
I fed kangaroos at a petting zoo.
We stopped at gorgeous beaches on the way. It was winter there, so they didn't have many visitors, which made them all the more majestic.
And before we left Phillip Island, I spotted the best sign I've ever seen.
I can't wait to go back!
The Inspiration: Good friends and a cheap plane ticket. Here's a true story: Last night I was up until 3:00 (which is midnight in California, and therefore the last minute for the sale that ended on June 16) staring at my computer screen, trying to figure out how to take advantage of amazing air fares. I had to called my friend JC in Melbourne twice, first to make sure the dates worked for visiting, and then because I had run out of ideas and was still indecisive, and he was the only person I knew who was awake. Okay, that's half true: I could have called my friends N&P, who also live in Melbourne, but N would help me be excited and not reasonable, when JC could try to be both. In the end, at 3:02, I closed the window asking for my credit card information, and the logical, responsible half of my personality beat out the adventurous half. Now, I know that was the better choice, but today Qantas extended the sale (although all the tickets have gone up by at least $100 each way) and after spending a day imagining all the fun I'd have visiting Melbourne and some of my other Aussie friends, I just want to get there soon, and I'm pouting like a two year old about it.
I visited Melbourne for the first time almost exactly two years ago with my brother, when JC was unfortunately out of the country and I hadn't even met N&P yet. We had a fantastic time without knowing anyone in the city, and I can only imagine it being better with delightful friends. Since I have photos from that trip, I thought I'd share.
This is my brother in Melbourne. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of this bridge.
In most major cities, you're encouraged to avoid the alleys. In Melbourne, they tell you to go check them out. It turns out that they're full of wonderful restaurants and interesting little shops.
We also took a day trip from Melbourne to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade, which is one of the most charming natural phenomenons in history. We were not permitted to photograph the penguins, but the whole trip was full of fun sights.
I fed kangaroos at a petting zoo.
We stopped at gorgeous beaches on the way. It was winter there, so they didn't have many visitors, which made them all the more majestic.
And before we left Phillip Island, I spotted the best sign I've ever seen.
I can't wait to go back!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Pittsburgh!
Where in the World: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Inspiration: Hometown pride! I know that I've said this is a blog about traveling, but it's also about where I want to be, and right now I'm happy to be at home in Pittsburgh. On Friday night, the Penguins beat the Detroit Red Wings in a heart-stopping, odds-defying game seven Stanley Cup final, and it's such a great thing! Pittsburgh is the first city to win both the Super Bowl and the Stanley Cup in the same year, and fans here take sports so personally, it really is a victory for the city. Today I also was able to attend part of the Three Rivers Arts Festival, and even though I got there late, it was lovely. I took a friend who is new to Pittsburgh, and had the opportunity to show off the rivers and fountain at Point State Park, some of the architecture downtown, and ride the Duquesne Incline to take in the whole Pittsburgh panorama. People were friendly everywhere we went, and we finished the evening with some fantastic midnight ice cream at Oh Yeah! in Shady Side. Pittsburgh is a world class city, but it's also simply home, and I love it. =)
The Inspiration: Hometown pride! I know that I've said this is a blog about traveling, but it's also about where I want to be, and right now I'm happy to be at home in Pittsburgh. On Friday night, the Penguins beat the Detroit Red Wings in a heart-stopping, odds-defying game seven Stanley Cup final, and it's such a great thing! Pittsburgh is the first city to win both the Super Bowl and the Stanley Cup in the same year, and fans here take sports so personally, it really is a victory for the city. Today I also was able to attend part of the Three Rivers Arts Festival, and even though I got there late, it was lovely. I took a friend who is new to Pittsburgh, and had the opportunity to show off the rivers and fountain at Point State Park, some of the architecture downtown, and ride the Duquesne Incline to take in the whole Pittsburgh panorama. People were friendly everywhere we went, and we finished the evening with some fantastic midnight ice cream at Oh Yeah! in Shady Side. Pittsburgh is a world class city, but it's also simply home, and I love it. =)
Friday, June 12, 2009
While You're Waiting
Where in the World: Wherever you're stuck.
The Inspiration: I read this delightful article today by Bruce Turkel in the New York Times. In it, he talks about how he loves all parts of travel, and usually takes a harmonica and a sketch pad with him on business trips for when he is delayed or laid over at airports. Since lay overs and delays are such a big part of air travel these days, it makes sense to be prepared for it with something you enjoy. I usually travel with at least two books and a notebook, since I'm a bit of a bibliophile. I'll take a new book, and an old favorite, and have every intention of journaling in the notebook which usually gets lists instead of thoughtful, detailed entries. Now I'm wondering: what do you do while you're waiting? Do you plan for it? Would a spontaneous guitar and harmonica jam session between your fellow travellers bring you joy or aggrivation?
This also made me think about delays, and the reasons and stresses behind them. I think the worst kind of delay is when there is a storm somewhere else that is going to impair your chances of making your connecting flight in Chicago. Delays to check on something mechanical about the plane always make me nervous; I never want them to hurry up on those ones, but they make me antsy until the plane lands at the destination. The strangest delay I've ever experienced was when I flew from Singapore to London. Before we left the gate, the pilot came on the loudspeaker and said we'd have to wait a little while before taking off, we wanted to make sure the timing would be right and Afghan air space would be clear for us; I thought, "PLEASE, take all the time you need!"
The Inspiration: I read this delightful article today by Bruce Turkel in the New York Times. In it, he talks about how he loves all parts of travel, and usually takes a harmonica and a sketch pad with him on business trips for when he is delayed or laid over at airports. Since lay overs and delays are such a big part of air travel these days, it makes sense to be prepared for it with something you enjoy. I usually travel with at least two books and a notebook, since I'm a bit of a bibliophile. I'll take a new book, and an old favorite, and have every intention of journaling in the notebook which usually gets lists instead of thoughtful, detailed entries. Now I'm wondering: what do you do while you're waiting? Do you plan for it? Would a spontaneous guitar and harmonica jam session between your fellow travellers bring you joy or aggrivation?
This also made me think about delays, and the reasons and stresses behind them. I think the worst kind of delay is when there is a storm somewhere else that is going to impair your chances of making your connecting flight in Chicago. Delays to check on something mechanical about the plane always make me nervous; I never want them to hurry up on those ones, but they make me antsy until the plane lands at the destination. The strangest delay I've ever experienced was when I flew from Singapore to London. Before we left the gate, the pilot came on the loudspeaker and said we'd have to wait a little while before taking off, we wanted to make sure the timing would be right and Afghan air space would be clear for us; I thought, "PLEASE, take all the time you need!"
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
"Once in a Lifetime Trips"
I want this book.
It's Once in a Lifetime Trips: The World's 50 Most Extraordinary and Memorable Travel Experiences by Chris Santella.
It looks gorgeous.
It's full of photos like this. Doesn't that ship in the Spice Islands look like it sailed out Arabian Nights? *Swoon*
I'd also love to write books like this one, although I think that wish is pretty obvious.
It's Once in a Lifetime Trips: The World's 50 Most Extraordinary and Memorable Travel Experiences by Chris Santella.It looks gorgeous.
It's full of photos like this. Doesn't that ship in the Spice Islands look like it sailed out Arabian Nights? *Swoon*I'd also love to write books like this one, although I think that wish is pretty obvious.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Timbuktu
Where in the World: Timbuktu, Mali
The Inspiration: Timbuktu! Seriously! First of all, it exists. For a good portion of my childhood, I thought Timbuktu was as real as Never Never Land. I've wanted to go since I thought I'd need to take the second star to the left to get there; my desire didn't decrease with actual accessibility of the place. The fact that it is a traditional center of learning, full of scrolls of hidden ancient knowledge, the pinnacle of an empire that was expansive, powerful, and largely unknown... well, as a person interested in books, archaeology, anthropology, and travel, what's not to love? (Okay, the average temperature in the winter is 85˚ which is less than ideal for me, but the dry arid climate has been kind to the ancient scrolls, so I can handle it.) Plus, it was an important city for the nomadic groups in western Africa, and I think nomads are absolutely fascinating.
Two more things about Timbuktu: It was an important part of the Songhai empire. I recently read "In Sorcery's Shadow" by Paul Stoller, about his anthropological apprenticeship to Songhai sorcerers in Niger. It's a pretty amazing book, and provides some great background about the region if not directly Timbuktu. The second thing is that I realized I need to mix up my wish list a little bit; Chicago and Seattle are both very nice, but they're not very exotic. If you have an suggestions of places to research and dream about, I'd love to know about them.
The Inspiration: Timbuktu! Seriously! First of all, it exists. For a good portion of my childhood, I thought Timbuktu was as real as Never Never Land. I've wanted to go since I thought I'd need to take the second star to the left to get there; my desire didn't decrease with actual accessibility of the place. The fact that it is a traditional center of learning, full of scrolls of hidden ancient knowledge, the pinnacle of an empire that was expansive, powerful, and largely unknown... well, as a person interested in books, archaeology, anthropology, and travel, what's not to love? (Okay, the average temperature in the winter is 85˚ which is less than ideal for me, but the dry arid climate has been kind to the ancient scrolls, so I can handle it.) Plus, it was an important city for the nomadic groups in western Africa, and I think nomads are absolutely fascinating.
Two more things about Timbuktu: It was an important part of the Songhai empire. I recently read "In Sorcery's Shadow" by Paul Stoller, about his anthropological apprenticeship to Songhai sorcerers in Niger. It's a pretty amazing book, and provides some great background about the region if not directly Timbuktu. The second thing is that I realized I need to mix up my wish list a little bit; Chicago and Seattle are both very nice, but they're not very exotic. If you have an suggestions of places to research and dream about, I'd love to know about them.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Chicago
Where in the World: Chicago, Illinois
The Inspiration: Another lovely friend, who will be running the Chicago Marathon in October. I am not a marathoner. I'm not even a runner. However, I'm really impressed by marathoners, and I would love to be there to cheer her through the race (which is much more my speed). Also, I love Chicago. I visited once, as part of a shopping trip for a wedding in which I was a bridesmaid (file that story into the "fabulous extravagant things I'd never choose to do myself" category). That trip had lots of lace, sparkles, and satin, which could have been overwhelming if we hadn't balanced it with tons of delicious food. I'd love to go back and explore more than the bridal circuit, checking out the museums, more of the wonderful places to eat and to dance, and take in some real Chicago blues.
The Inspiration: Another lovely friend, who will be running the Chicago Marathon in October. I am not a marathoner. I'm not even a runner. However, I'm really impressed by marathoners, and I would love to be there to cheer her through the race (which is much more my speed). Also, I love Chicago. I visited once, as part of a shopping trip for a wedding in which I was a bridesmaid (file that story into the "fabulous extravagant things I'd never choose to do myself" category). That trip had lots of lace, sparkles, and satin, which could have been overwhelming if we hadn't balanced it with tons of delicious food. I'd love to go back and explore more than the bridal circuit, checking out the museums, more of the wonderful places to eat and to dance, and take in some real Chicago blues.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Seattle
Where in the World: Seattle, Washington
The Inspiration: My brother, because he lives there. He actually came to visit for a grand total of 21 hours this week, so that he could go to the hockey game on Tuesday (Go Pens!). The thing about little tiny visits like that is they can make you suddenly miss someone so much more than before. I helped him move out to the Seattle area in 2007, but I haven't been there since. When he moved there our sightseeing time was limited, so there's still a lot on my Seattle must-list. This includes the view from the top of Space Needle, actually purchasing and preparing food from Pike's Place, seeing live music, and hike to the top of Mt. Si, which is his favorite place to take visitors for day trips.
The Inspiration: My brother, because he lives there. He actually came to visit for a grand total of 21 hours this week, so that he could go to the hockey game on Tuesday (Go Pens!). The thing about little tiny visits like that is they can make you suddenly miss someone so much more than before. I helped him move out to the Seattle area in 2007, but I haven't been there since. When he moved there our sightseeing time was limited, so there's still a lot on my Seattle must-list. This includes the view from the top of Space Needle, actually purchasing and preparing food from Pike's Place, seeing live music, and hike to the top of Mt. Si, which is his favorite place to take visitors for day trips.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Alaska Update!
How exciting is this?* The New York Times just had a travel blog on Alaska, too, a few days after mine. You can read it here: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/travel/31alaska.html?em
Perhaps someday they'll want to honor my whims with trips that I can blog about to you. Wouldn't that be lovely?**
*Probably not that exciting, really.
** It does say in the blog description that this about my travel daydreams. You'll have to go with it. =)
Perhaps someday they'll want to honor my whims with trips that I can blog about to you. Wouldn't that be lovely?**
*Probably not that exciting, really.
** It does say in the blog description that this about my travel daydreams. You'll have to go with it. =)
Japan
Where in the world: Japan
The inspiration: Tea, mostly. I've been learning a lot about nice teas lately, and starting to cultivate a finer tea palate; this is expensive, but also appropriate, since I have a little job at a tea shop. I've started to discover some really lovely Japanese green teas, and the finer points of using a Japanese cast iron tea pot. It has me thinking about the other things I've learned about Japan, particularly Kyoto, and my recurring fascination with geisha. (If you enjoyed the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha," I'm going to recommend the book by Arthur Golden, of the same title; if you enjoyed the book, you should check out Liza Dalby's ethnography, "Geisha.") Also, if this hasn't already become apparent, I'm a big fans of mountains and oceans, and places where the two meet. I'd like to enjoy sushi in a restaurant where concerns about freshness or appropriate preparation won't cross my mind. I love the cherry trees on the Mall in Washington DC (which, by the way, were a gift from Japan), and I'd be delighted to see the full blossoming season. As usual, I'd also be thrilled with any recommendations you can give for my dream trip!
The inspiration: Tea, mostly. I've been learning a lot about nice teas lately, and starting to cultivate a finer tea palate; this is expensive, but also appropriate, since I have a little job at a tea shop. I've started to discover some really lovely Japanese green teas, and the finer points of using a Japanese cast iron tea pot. It has me thinking about the other things I've learned about Japan, particularly Kyoto, and my recurring fascination with geisha. (If you enjoyed the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha," I'm going to recommend the book by Arthur Golden, of the same title; if you enjoyed the book, you should check out Liza Dalby's ethnography, "Geisha.") Also, if this hasn't already become apparent, I'm a big fans of mountains and oceans, and places where the two meet. I'd like to enjoy sushi in a restaurant where concerns about freshness or appropriate preparation won't cross my mind. I love the cherry trees on the Mall in Washington DC (which, by the way, were a gift from Japan), and I'd be delighted to see the full blossoming season. As usual, I'd also be thrilled with any recommendations you can give for my dream trip!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Mumbai
Where in the World: Mumbai, India
The inspiration: this article, from the New York Times, which was sent to me by a lovely friend. Granted, Mumbai has a few things working against my desire to go there. First, it's really hot. Also, it's humid. So it's really really hot and humid, especially in the summer. In case I haven't made this obvious enough, I really don't do well in hot humid weather. The second thing going against Mumbai is that when Slumdog Millionaire came out, I read an interview that indicated it was supposed to be a very vibrant, positive depiction of Mumbai. Now, I thought Slumdog Millionaire was an awesome movie, but it didn't exactly make Mumbai look like a top tourism destination. So why do I want to go? The article gives it away, but if you haven't checked yet, IT'S MANGO SEASON. I really like mangoes, and I think that they'd be super delicious even if it was a million degrees with a zillion percent humidity (exactly and approximately*). Also, I would really love to go to India, and this could be one of those things that pushes me over the tipping point of my fears of the heat and pick pockets. The Taj Mahal has always been on my wish list, I like Indian food, elephansts, and I really wish that I could attend an ornate, traditional Indian wedding (with all of the dancing). So, maybe mangoes will get me to make it to Mumbai.
*If you're not familiar with this phrase, you should watch Monsoon Wedding, which is also set in India. =)
In case the link doesn't work above, here it is again:
http://globespotters.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/in-mumbai-its-mango-season/
The inspiration: this article, from the New York Times, which was sent to me by a lovely friend. Granted, Mumbai has a few things working against my desire to go there. First, it's really hot. Also, it's humid. So it's really really hot and humid, especially in the summer. In case I haven't made this obvious enough, I really don't do well in hot humid weather. The second thing going against Mumbai is that when Slumdog Millionaire came out, I read an interview that indicated it was supposed to be a very vibrant, positive depiction of Mumbai. Now, I thought Slumdog Millionaire was an awesome movie, but it didn't exactly make Mumbai look like a top tourism destination. So why do I want to go? The article gives it away, but if you haven't checked yet, IT'S MANGO SEASON. I really like mangoes, and I think that they'd be super delicious even if it was a million degrees with a zillion percent humidity (exactly and approximately*). Also, I would really love to go to India, and this could be one of those things that pushes me over the tipping point of my fears of the heat and pick pockets. The Taj Mahal has always been on my wish list, I like Indian food, elephansts, and I really wish that I could attend an ornate, traditional Indian wedding (with all of the dancing). So, maybe mangoes will get me to make it to Mumbai.
*If you're not familiar with this phrase, you should watch Monsoon Wedding, which is also set in India. =)
In case the link doesn't work above, here it is again:
http://globespotters.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/in-mumbai-its-mango-season/
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Anchorage, Alaska
Where in the world: Anchorage, Alaska, and Alaska in general.
Inspired by: A few things, really. I ordered a new computer last weekend, and I've been tracking its progress towards me. Today it is in Anchorage, and I'm as jealous as a person could be of an inanimate object's travels. Also, last night after the hockey game we watched the end of the movie "Mystery, Alaska," which is about a local hockey team in a town where people skate to work in the winter. I love cold weather, ice skating, mountains by the ocean, wildlife, and trekking through parks of all sizes, so I strongly suspect I'd enjoy Alaska. I once applied for a summer job working on a whale watching boat near Juneau, but didn't pursue it when I realized it would almost cost more to drive there than I would make during the season. I'd still like to take a whale watching tour, though, and ride the Great Alaskan railroad to Denali while listening to Eddie Vedder sing the sound track to "Into the Wild." I'd hike in the park, try to spot some caribou, or moose, or bear (at a very great distance). It would be a "Great Alaskan Adventure."
I would be delighted if you'd share any of your recommendations for other things to daydream about seeing and doing there.
Inspired by: A few things, really. I ordered a new computer last weekend, and I've been tracking its progress towards me. Today it is in Anchorage, and I'm as jealous as a person could be of an inanimate object's travels. Also, last night after the hockey game we watched the end of the movie "Mystery, Alaska," which is about a local hockey team in a town where people skate to work in the winter. I love cold weather, ice skating, mountains by the ocean, wildlife, and trekking through parks of all sizes, so I strongly suspect I'd enjoy Alaska. I once applied for a summer job working on a whale watching boat near Juneau, but didn't pursue it when I realized it would almost cost more to drive there than I would make during the season. I'd still like to take a whale watching tour, though, and ride the Great Alaskan railroad to Denali while listening to Eddie Vedder sing the sound track to "Into the Wild." I'd hike in the park, try to spot some caribou, or moose, or bear (at a very great distance). It would be a "Great Alaskan Adventure."
I would be delighted if you'd share any of your recommendations for other things to daydream about seeing and doing there.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Burren
Where in the world: The Burren, County Clare, Ireland
The Inspiration: This week I was writing about family roots for one of my classes, and thinking about my Irish family. My great-grandmother emigrated from County Clare, Ireland, and while I don't know any family in that area, I did visit it on my first trip to Ireland. When I was there, we went to the Burren, which from a distance just looks like a field of flat rock. The beauty, however, comes when get get up close into the grasses that grow thinly over limestone. In all of the cracks and cervices are the loveliest little wildflowers you've ever seen. The mist that hangs over them keeps them insulated from the wind of the bare, seaside landscape, and they are profuse, vibrant, diverse, and delightful.
The Inspiration: This week I was writing about family roots for one of my classes, and thinking about my Irish family. My great-grandmother emigrated from County Clare, Ireland, and while I don't know any family in that area, I did visit it on my first trip to Ireland. When I was there, we went to the Burren, which from a distance just looks like a field of flat rock. The beauty, however, comes when get get up close into the grasses that grow thinly over limestone. In all of the cracks and cervices are the loveliest little wildflowers you've ever seen. The mist that hangs over them keeps them insulated from the wind of the bare, seaside landscape, and they are profuse, vibrant, diverse, and delightful.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Adirondacks
Where in the World: The Adirondack Region, Northern New York
Inspired by: My lovely friends, K&J, who are currently honeymooning in upstate New York. The region is rugged and beautiful, with calm lakes and fierce mountains. Last time I visited the area I stayed between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, where we spent a lot of time kayaking. I gave the newlyweds a map so that they could make sure to get Donnelly's Ice Cream near Lake Clear. My parents went to college in the area, and for my entire childhood they told me of the wonder of Donnelly's, where a berry patch and a dairy farm meet in an ice cream shack. The most amazing part is that when I finally tried Donnelly's as a teenager, it exceeded the expectations that I had been building for years. Since I told K&J, I've been anxious to get in the car and make the treck myself. I'd divide my day between breathtaking mountain hikes and creamy raspberry gluttony. How delightful!
Inspired by: My lovely friends, K&J, who are currently honeymooning in upstate New York. The region is rugged and beautiful, with calm lakes and fierce mountains. Last time I visited the area I stayed between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, where we spent a lot of time kayaking. I gave the newlyweds a map so that they could make sure to get Donnelly's Ice Cream near Lake Clear. My parents went to college in the area, and for my entire childhood they told me of the wonder of Donnelly's, where a berry patch and a dairy farm meet in an ice cream shack. The most amazing part is that when I finally tried Donnelly's as a teenager, it exceeded the expectations that I had been building for years. Since I told K&J, I've been anxious to get in the car and make the treck myself. I'd divide my day between breathtaking mountain hikes and creamy raspberry gluttony. How delightful!
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