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!

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. =)

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!"

"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.

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.

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.

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.