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.
Showing posts with label Future Destinations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Future Destinations. Show all posts
Friday, August 14, 2009
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/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?
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.
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.
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