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.
Friday, August 14, 2009
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.
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