Monday, March 30, 2015
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Passport-less-ness
If there's a more terrible feeling than putting your passport in an envelope and sending it out of your life for an undetermined amount of time while the government sends you a renewal...I'm not sure what it is. It's the feelings of restless, distress, hopeless, and sadness all mixed together: "passport-less-ness" seems an appropriate term to describe not only the state of affairs but the emotional component that goes along with it!
Most federal governments have a policy in which travelers must have at least 6 months left before the expiration of their passport upon entering their country. Be sure to know before you go!
There are expedited services in the US and, as long as your passport hasn't been completely destroyed, you can do a simple online form, get passport pics taken at your local drug store/pharmacy (CVS, Rite Aid, etc) and mail them in with a personal check. You can pay cash or credit card at an agency, but it seems like a much bigger hassle. Money makes the world go round, and it also makes YOU go 'round the world...faster. For an extra fee you can get expedited service to have your passport back in your wanderlust hands faster than the average traveler.
You can get most information online these days, but, as always, please assure that you are on a legitimate government website so that you don't get duped! Because nobody likes when that happens! For U.S. citizens, the go-to passport renewal site is:
Here's your friendly travel reminder to always keep track of your passport expiration date!
Most federal governments have a policy in which travelers must have at least 6 months left before the expiration of their passport upon entering their country. Be sure to know before you go!
There are expedited services in the US and, as long as your passport hasn't been completely destroyed, you can do a simple online form, get passport pics taken at your local drug store/pharmacy (CVS, Rite Aid, etc) and mail them in with a personal check. You can pay cash or credit card at an agency, but it seems like a much bigger hassle. Money makes the world go round, and it also makes YOU go 'round the world...faster. For an extra fee you can get expedited service to have your passport back in your wanderlust hands faster than the average traveler.
You can get most information online these days, but, as always, please assure that you are on a legitimate government website so that you don't get duped! Because nobody likes when that happens! For U.S. citizens, the go-to passport renewal site is:
Happy Travels All!
Monday, March 23, 2015
Foodies of the World, Unite!
National Geographic has come out with a list of the top ten cities in the world that you must hit up for the food, if nothing else!
Here are the top ten food cities in the world (along with the food the city is most well-known for):
10. Ensenada, Mexico - Fish Tacos from Ensenada Market
9. Edam, Netherlands - Most popular cheese in the world
8. Bologna, Italy - Pasta Bolognese (obviously)
7. Osaka, Japan - Takoyaki (balls of grilled octopus batter)
6. Cincinnati, Ohio - Chili
5. Lyon, France - Lyonnaise potatoes
4. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Bahn Mi (French baguette sandwiches)
3. Buffalo, NY - Chicken Wings
2. Chennai, India - Indian equivalent to wings (was there some bias toward wings on the panel?)
1. Louisville, Kentucky - Hot Brown (Open-faced Turkey with cream sauce on Texas Toast)
Are you as hungry as I am, yet??
I'm biased toward Buffalo, but if you ask me if you should get the original Anchor Bar wings on your short trip, I'll tell you that Duff's Wings are number one (people's choice) every time. This makes me want to try #2, Indian wings!
I love chili, but I'm not a fan of the chili/pasta combo out of Cinci...I think it's a texture clash for me. Tastes fine, just weirds me out!
They have a chain in NYC called "Bahn Mi." I've heard it's excellent but the ingredients didn't appeal to me so much...plus I'm sure it's not as good as the real thing in the heart of Vietnam!
The rest will be new to me...I'm especially interested in that 'Hot Brown' (if that city is number one in the world then it's most famous dish HAS to be killer) and Fish Tacos...YUMMMM.
How many have you been to? Were they worth the trip?
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Bringing Your Pet?
Next year, JFK is opening "The Ark," an airport terminal dedicated solely to the safe and happy travels of pets and their people. A private company has planned to rent the terminal for years to come and, as they say, money talks (about as much as parrots). So hold onto your tails, and get ready for a new high-flying experience if all goes to plan...let the countdown continue!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Why do you #LoveTheWorld?
You don't have to be famous to love the world, though BBC got some great feedback from some famous people, writers, reporters, and more. Now it's your turn; What is an experience from YOUR past year that made you (or reminded you how much) you love the world?
For me, it was staring out the window, knowing it was meant to rain at the furthest North point we would be in Norway during our trip, and coming to terms with the fact that it was unlikely, even on a clear night, that we would see the Northern Lights there. A cloud appeared before my eyes...smokey and light over the wing of the plane around 2 am. Except it wasn't a cloud...it was a morphing, spooky, twisting ribbon of light, right in front of my eyes. The Northern Lights had appeared as I sat doubting my chances of their presence. The world is mysterious, and I love it!
In the meantime, here's some of my feedback on BBCs 50 Reasons To #LoveTheWorld:
49. OMG.
41, 40, 38...all of these make me smile just imagining how these people must have felt...not only in the moment that they experienced these things...but in the moments when they recall them.
36...adORABLe.
33...CHILLS.
32, always.
26...what a world! Crazy beautiful.
25: The answers always are within the youngest of our generations
22. It is AMAZING what a little effort will do. An attempt, even a failed one, takes you miles.
20. Are you happy to be alive? FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE(S)!
18. Closing Time: "some other beginning's end"
17. Remember you are a small thing in this big place. And this big place is also very small.
9. Tony Hawk knows what's up...and he mentioned Skateistan! I featured a story on them a while back! Yay!
4...what truth! Despite our best efforts we can never see or know it all!
1. HAHA...was there ever any doubt??
For me, it was staring out the window, knowing it was meant to rain at the furthest North point we would be in Norway during our trip, and coming to terms with the fact that it was unlikely, even on a clear night, that we would see the Northern Lights there. A cloud appeared before my eyes...smokey and light over the wing of the plane around 2 am. Except it wasn't a cloud...it was a morphing, spooky, twisting ribbon of light, right in front of my eyes. The Northern Lights had appeared as I sat doubting my chances of their presence. The world is mysterious, and I love it!
Check out the original article, and tell me what you think!
In the meantime, here's some of my feedback on BBCs 50 Reasons To #LoveTheWorld:
49. OMG.
41, 40, 38...all of these make me smile just imagining how these people must have felt...not only in the moment that they experienced these things...but in the moments when they recall them.
36...adORABLe.
33...CHILLS.
32, always.
26...what a world! Crazy beautiful.
25: The answers always are within the youngest of our generations
22. It is AMAZING what a little effort will do. An attempt, even a failed one, takes you miles.
20. Are you happy to be alive? FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE(S)!
18. Closing Time: "some other beginning's end"
17. Remember you are a small thing in this big place. And this big place is also very small.
9. Tony Hawk knows what's up...and he mentioned Skateistan! I featured a story on them a while back! Yay!
4...what truth! Despite our best efforts we can never see or know it all!
1. HAHA...was there ever any doubt??
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