To Travel, or Not To Travel...

On July 31st, I had my four year anniversary with my company. It seems almost amazing to me that I have been working and traveling for the same corporation, for such a significant chunk of time. These four years took me from a new, naive twenty something, or an experienced, later twenty something in the business world...

But in the last few months, work has become increasingly stressful. I find myself feeling hopeless and itchy inside the same blue walls without windows, with the same stupid laptop in front of me. My travel soulmate (Karissa) and I chat online all day (love technology) about how we are tired, miserable, want coffee, and want a nap. Our coworkers make us dizzy and confused, and we don't feel motivated to do anything.

My company offers a flexible leave program, where one can take three months off work, unpaid, and return to their job afterwards. The program is meant to compensate for long hours, stressful coworkers, and drain that comes with the job. But it is becoming more and more attractive every day.

I am considering taking this option in January or February 2011, pending some family arrangements. If I were to take it, here is what I would do:

1. Spend the first month sleeping, relaxing, drinking, and cuddling. I think I'd spend the first month traveling from beach to beach. Here are some photos of what I'm imagining:

Bora Bora

Florida Keys

Kauai, Hawaii

Mal Pais, Costa Rica

2. Spend the second month in Asia, visiting my favorite city in the world (Tokyo), and visit bustling new cities like Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Hanoi.

3. Spend the last month in Europe, visiting Spain (sangria and art and dancing and tapas), wine tasting in Portugal, and prosecco tasting in Italy.

It's now a matter of saving all my money, convincing my Karissa, and staying alive for the next few stressful months...

It's Not How Long It Takes, It's Who's Taking You - Marilyn

There are several beautiful beaches and relaxing small towns to visit in California. My heart belongs to one, San Diego, and more importantly, to the Hotel Del Coronado.

A few years back, I spent a few days nursing a friend back to life after a very traumatic event that happened in her relationship, and as she is also a Marilyn fan, we spent those few days consuming several bottles of Marilyn Merlot while watching all of her old movies.

And so I fell in love with Some Like It Hot, where clever banter leads to an amusing romance in a beautiful hotel, the Hotel Del Coronado, located on San Diego's beach.

For my 26th birthday, I decided the only way for me to celebrate would be to visit this iconic hotel. As none of my friends had the time or money to visit with me, I invited a sweet gentleman who I was dating, and he was happy to escort me!


I felt like Marilyn, walking into the hotel, with its large wooden lobby and old fashioned elevators. I spent some time walking on the beach, looking out at where crowds of locals once stood to watch Marilyn film her scenes.

I thought about my parents, who had actually visited the hotel on multiple occassions, one of their favorite date spots. It was a beautiful hotel. We were hoping to watch the sun set while having dinner on the patio, but it was a bit chilly and I actually became ill from the dinner!

I look forward to going back again one day. I'd like to have dinner on the patio again and then enjoy drinks in the parlor. I'm going to start my own piggy bank dedicated to renting one of the private villas on the beach with my loved ones, perhaps watching Some Like It Hot on the beach where it began!

Singapore!

Since seeing the love of my life, Anthony Bourdain, head to Singapore in an episode of No Reservations, I have been dying to visit this unique and bustling city.

As eating is one of my favorite hobbies of all time, and I love Asian cuisine, I thought Singapore could be my heaven, as it has a unique and delicious fushion cuisine of Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, and Western influences. In watching the episode, I drool over the Bak Chor Mee noodle dish with shrimp, fish balls, and pork (although I think I'll skip the Indian specialty Haji Kadir, a dish of bright red dyed meat and bone marrow).
http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Anthony_Bourdain/Episodes_Travel_Guides/Episode_Singapore

I even purchased a travel guide on the small country so I could study up and start to plan my adventures there.

Then I received an email about the brand new Marina Bay Sands Resort, and considering how much I love to lounge and relax in a beautiful pool, and lay eyes on a great view of a new city... I think my Singapore visit just rose to the top on my priority list!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1289194/Marina-Bay-Sands-resort-opens-Singapore.html

What a resort! Now the most expensive resort ever built, it includes an indoor canal, opulent art, casino, outdoor plaza, convention centre, theatre, crystal pavilion and museum shaped like a lotus flower. I probably won't visit any of the other ammenities, maybe the casino, but I can already picture myself lounging in the 55 story-high infinity pool, some exotic drink in hand:

At about $600 a night, it's some expensive lounging. But I think I'll start saving now. Surely I already have a couple hundred in change lying around my apartment.

Singapore, here I come! Who's coming with me?

Cheers to the Travel Gods

A few weeks ago, my coworkers and I arrived at our regional airport to prepare for our flight back to Chicago. We were about an hour from takeoff as we strolled through security and collected our belongings. We were pondering the usual question, "Drinkie? Or no drinkie?", when we heard our names over the loudspeaker.

My immediate assumption was, "Uggghhhhhh....", that our flight had been cancelled. When we arrived at the gate to inquire, the attendant explained that there was a jet that had been parked at the airport since early that morning, waiting for a part. And now, the part had arrived and been replaced in the jet, and it was ready to head back to Chicago. She asked if we would like to board it, which would give us an earlier arrival in our home city.

Of course!

We boarded, making fun of each other as always, and our mouths dropped upon passing through the door. The plane was not a regional jet - it was your normal, two seats on each side, two or more bathrooms, first class, jet! Since there were only nine of us, and nine seats in first class.... We chose the more plush seating with great views of the cockpit!

The flight attendants explained that they had been stuck at the airport all day, and as they presented us with margaritas (which were quite good) and bags of trail mix, we laughed at their stories and understood their desire to head home. We learned a great deal about the attendants, what their life is like, as they relaxed and chatted with the nine of us in first class. I felt relaxed and happy after my three margaritas, amazed at my good luck after three years of flying on such tiny, cramped little planes.

Thank you travel gods for one relaxing, enjoyable flight!

Too Young to be Platinum

A few weeks ago, I arrived at XNA to fly home with my usual airline, at the usual check in time, with the same luggage, ID, and demeanor. I didn't recognize the woman who was behind the counter, and she informed me that she was the regional manager visiting the airport for the day. Since the airport is so small, it is sometimes tricky to get help, so she was happy to check me in. I handed her my ID, she looked me up, and gave me a worried look.

"Oh honey, you are much too young to be platinum."

I looked at her, and said, "26?" And she gave me a slight smile.

So, this made me start to think. Am I really too young to be a road warrior? I look at my friends who are at home, with their boyfriends or husbands, their beds, their routine, on a daily basis. They have fresh groceries and pets, happy hours and tv nights. I imagine I'll have that one day. But truthfully, if it wasn't for the long commutes by plane, the grueling hours at work, and the road warrior life, I wouldn't have found my passion for travel. Japan, Brazil, Australia, would still all be dreams. Being a "road warrior" funds my passion and the adventures I'm lucky to have.

The woman said to me, "Do you ever get tired of the travel?" And I thought for a moment. I thought about the miles and the hotel points, the wonderful people I've met who have truly become a part of me, the experiences I've had that all my friends are jealous of, and I smiled.

"No. I'm just waiting for the day the travel life gets sick of me!"

An Inspiration

I recently took my sister to San Francisco for her birthday. Because her chest is almost completely consumed with Hodgkin's lymphoma tumors, she needs to rest a lot during the day, and when forced to be active, usually begins to cough, sweat, and wear out very quickly. Therefore, we spent a lot of time together in our wonderful W hotel room. She has been telling me how depressed, and helpless, she feels that she is at a point where she isn't even well enough to enjoy her life.

After I encouraged her not to give up, I left to purchase something for her, and upon my return, found her fixated on the television. And we met Ami Ankileweitz.

Ami was being featured in National Geographic's Extraordinary Humans, and the specific episode was covering individuals who suffer from extreme muscle deterioration. Ami has Spinal Muscle Atrophy, a condition that has caused his muscles to wither away. Looking at him is heartbreaking, as he is nothing but skin and bones and wide, curious eyes. We watched with bated breath as the doctor's discussed his condition, and his will to live past the 6 years that were estimated to him, as he was now 41 years old. He weighs only 39 pounds and isn't capable of any movement below his neck.

Lo and behold - he attributes his will and years of life to his passion and desire to travel.

The discussion quickly turns to whether or not he should be allowed to travel to Thailand, a dream of his since he was 18. His tremendous passion to live and experience new countries has provided hope for him to continue on, and his family struggles with concern that he will stop breathing while abroad as the muscles in his chest have almost entirely deteriorated.

I almost stopped breathing myself, captivated by his story. Here was a man who looked sick, couldn't move, could barely communicate, yet did not lose touch with his dream to travel the world. The episode ended before the conclusion on whether or not he went to Thailand, but I don't think I will ever forget him. I hope with all my heart he made it, and I imagine I will be thinking of him one day when I walk Thailand's streets myself.

For information on the National Geographic episode: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/extraordinary-humans/4923/Overview#tab-Overview

For more information on Ami: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051208/REVIEWS/51205004/1023

Packing Fails

Every year, without fail, I forget to pack something green to wear on St. Patrick's Day. Last year I borrowed a green sweater from one of my coworkers, but this year, I ended up in pink and black with little blue and black bruises (from all the pinching that occurred).

Which made me reminisce about all the other packing fails I've experienced (or heard of), such as:

1. Underwear. I usually don't mind so much if I forget it because I love shopping for it. Bonus enjoyment if it occurs during the Victoria Secret Semi Annual sale. Extra, high roller bonus if you're in a city without a car that only has a La Perla in walking distance!

2. Heels (client was not happy to see me in a skirt and Uggs all day). I was in the middle of Virginia where there was only one department store (and it was closed for rennovations), so I had to borrow a pair from a coworker, one size too big, and stuffed kleenex in the toe so they fit!

3. Makeup. Who looked like a puff fish all week?

4. Airplane pillow. When I forget my airplane pillow, I am a wreck, because it means I will not be comfortable sleeping on my flight. And I cannot stay awake. So forgetting my airplane pillow = most miserable 1.75 hours of my life.

5. iPod. I can fly without it, but not workout. Therefore, if I forget it, I can pretty much chalk up the week to eating way too many calories and drinking way too much, because that's what I'll do with the hour I was supposed to spend at the gym! Or, I'll go the gym, and walk around aimlessly. Either way, it's bad for my waistline.

Who am I kidding? I am miserable at working out during the week... But I am good at eating and drinking...

6. Tights. Which would be terrible in the winter, especially when you packed only 4 blouses for 4 days, 1 blouse only goes with 1 skirt, and now you will freeze to death because it's 30 degrees in the office! My friend Brie told me that if she packs a pair with a hole, and she has to "perform some mcguiver surgery in the hotel room."

7. Socks. Holla at the barefoot girl in tennis shoes, with blisters, leaving the gym.

8. Umbrella. I have countless stories of forgetting it, and looking like a drenched rat at a meeting because I had to walk 20 minutes in the pouring rain from my parking space. But on the upside, I have curly hair so it's not so terrible if it gets wet. However, wet hose, shoes, and pant hems are miserable in air conditioned buildings. 

But let me tell you... I have not forgotten underwear, an umbrella, or tights in a long time. I guess even the best of us can learn right?

My Travel Family: Ryan

I have been stopping by Ryan's stomping ground (aka the bar O'Laughlin's at XNA) for about three years.

But it was probably earlier this year when I was traveling to and from Arkansas alone that we became close. I found refuge sitting at his bar stool, listening to his dirty jokes, funny stories, and women troubles. I learned to see through his tall tales (like about how a shark apparantly bit him in the leg), appreciate his recent eBay purchases (including a Rocky Horror Picture Show costume), and admire the sensible passion he has for fixing up old cars (except for the time I saw him sitting in a car, in the pouring rain, that did not have a roof).

He is far from your usual man. In fact, the first discussion we ever had was about a pie he had just made, and how much he enjoyed baking pies.

Ryan is someone who makes you feel immediately comfortable, happy, and at home. He pours a pretty good vodka soda, and more importantly, he is such a joy and so much fun. I just wish he would bring his weiner (aka dog) into the bar more often! He was specifically a good friend during the difficult days of my sister's battle with cancer, when there were no friends around to talk to about her condition. Without fail, he'd always ask about her, with the most caring and understanding expression. And he's happy to walk back and through security to make sure I get a delivery pizza when I'm starving!

Ryan, you touched my heart. Thanks for all the care you've shown me.

PS You make one sexy Elvis...

My Travel Family: Karissa

Best friends are always fabulous. But combine road warrior and best friend, and I think you've pretty much created a soulmate. That's how I feel about Karissa, a very important person in my travel family!

Karissa and I started our friendship on the road, and have it taken it to many different locations besides our home-away-from-home in Arkansas. We've taken it to:

Santa Monica, California

Sonoma County, California

Denver, Colorado

 (We were unfortunately having too much fun to take photos...)

...and plan on taking it to many more exotic places (Spain, to name one). I've said before that it's the people that travel with you who really get to know you, from how patient you are to how nice you are to strangers to how well you can make the best of any messy travel snafu. They know what you love and what you hate, who you flirt with and who you avoid. No matter how much your personal friends may love you and try to know you, they will never know you as well as those you travel with.

I am lucky that she is both my traveling partner in crime, and my best friend.

The girl knows my Starbucks drink order. She knows if I'm hungover, I'm gonna be a little late to meet her downstairs for work in the morning. She knows she can always pressure me into having a few drinks with her, and she knows that, at times, I can be bossy and gossipy. And I know about the time her bag fell down the escalator and forever slumped to one side, and I know who she hates to sit next to on the plane. But it's nice not having to explain funny situations that happen to me on the road and look at a blank stare... because she was there to experience every moment with me!

Traveling has it's ups and downs. Sometimes you're going to be delayed, or your flight cancelled. Sometimes you'll be on vacation and catch the flu. Sometimes a boy broke your heart and you are stuck in a city without your friends and your bed and your ex boyfriend voodoo doll (just kidding). So it's just nice to know that there's someone who can make you laugh through it all.

Furthermore, she travels really well...

Lonely Planet? Yes Please!

I apologize for being out of touch. I was on an exciting adventure "down under", investigating unexplored terrains, jumping deep caverns, and wrestling against deadly animals... otherwise known as: I took a nice, long vacation in Australia. And it was amazing. Lots of new writing material!

Ecstatic to be near the ocean...

One of my best discoveries while in Australia actually occurred at the Sydney airport. I was feeling a bit perturbed, because sometime between when I arrived in Australia, and prepared to exit, I lost my Dromamine (an absolute essential for me when suffering through long flights). So, I went in search of a drug store that would carry it. Alas, I did not find my precious drug, but I found something much more interesting...

A Lonely Planet Store!

What is this?! I walked into the store, with it's warm lighting and climbing book shelves of travel books, and my eyes widened. The amount of unique and valuable travel accessories was outstanding. I found a book on Cape Town (my next adventure). I found unbreakable water bottles that included their own filters and displayed beautiful Japanese designs. And I found adorable, biodegradable cloth animals (kangaroos, koalas, and a whale) that adhere to a keychain or purse (bought six). I found a travel sanctuary.

I talked to the young woman behind the counter, and she explained that it was a concept store, the one and only of it's kind. I asked if it was successful, and she smiled and said yes, but there were no announced plans to open more. She asked what I did for a living, and when I lied and told her I was a travel writer (actually I said, "I'm a very well known and successful American travel writer"), she suggested I get in touch with their company and apply to do some writing for them.

I figured I'll see how successful my blogging becomes first.

Travel gurus and junkies, check it out:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/press-centre/press-release.cfm?press_release_id=371