AFAR Magazine Posts

Featured Traveler: Marcy Mendelson, Safari Correspondent

2013-06-14T07:40:46-07:00

Browse through Marcy Mendelson’s Highlights and you’ll start to notice a pattern: most take place far from the reaches of humanity, featuring snapshots of dusky Namibian sand dunes and large spotted cats framed at distances close enough to make you nervous even behind the comfort of your computer screen. A writer, photojournalist and filmmaker focused on cheetah conservation at Cheetah-Watch, Marcy keeps us in touch with our wild side as AFAR’s Safari Correspondent. Though she prefers to be roughing it in the African desert (she’s planning a return soon), the Oakland native is equally at home in heels in SoMa—at the Cat Club, of course.

See all of Marcy’s Highlights.

Right now I’m in Oakland, California at Sweet Bar Bakery.

Though I would much prefer to be in NamibRand Nature Reserve in Namibia hiking through the landscape with my camera in the name of conservation photography.

Occupation: Writer, Photographer, Filmmaker.

My next trip is to Kenya.

My last trip took me to Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

First international trip—England with my family for vacation when I was 9 years old. It was the first time I shot with my dad’s canon SLR. I took a picture of a black sheep in a field.

Porcupine quills found in the remote Namibian veld are my most treasured travel souvenir.

Favorite restaurant: Pizzaiolo in Oakland

Favorite local style/most stylish place: A San Francisco speakeasy with 60s mod fashionistas tending bar… shhhh! I can’t tell you where!

iPhone or DSLR? DSLR and an old film camera.

Plugged-in or unplugged? Unplugged off and on while I explore, then plugged in when I get back to electricity to share & write.

Public transportation, cab, or bike? 4×4, safari vehicle or horse! When in the city it’s feet first, then public, then cab.

Hanging out in a local café and making friends with the staff is the best way/place to connect with locals.

What’s the one hometown place you miss most while traveling? I miss wearing my high heels and seeing old friends at Cat Club on a whim.

Where do you always take out-of-town friends? A drive across the Golden Gate Bridge up Highway 1 to Stinson Beach for fabulous dramatic views from the coastal road.

Favorite travel book: Whatever you do, Don’t Run! By Peter Allison

Most out-of-character travel experience? Walking along train tracks through the Peruvian jungle to get to the next town. A little harrowing at times when we got lost in the undergrowth!

Favorite foreign word or phrase: “Howzit?” is South African slang for “How are you?”, “Good morning,” and “How is it going?” It’s almost exclusively a greeting, and seldom a question.

Favorite foreign tradition: the looooong afternoon lunches in Italy.

Travel has taught me that home is everywhere, the human family is incredible, and animals are far more intelligent that we’ll ever fully comprehend.

Reading List: 6 Things We’re Reading, Watching & Listening To This Week

2013-06-13T08:25:52-07:00

“The Lonely Guitarist,” The Writer and the Wanderer
In her blog about travel and literature, Mary Morris captures a moment of reverie in San Sebastian, Spain, which evokes both “the enigma of emptiness” and the power of music to bring “remembering.” —Derk Richardson

A Week at the Airport, Alain de Botton
This is a fascinating read about the many facets of what truly goes on at an airport, from the check-in counter to baggage handling to the arrivals lounge. Although we, as travelers, perceive airports to be stressful places, this story examines the human condition and our relationships to one another in this very big yet very small world. —Jill Greenwood

Jungles in Paris
I’m mesmerized by the artistic travel videos and photography featured on Jungles in Paris, a website cofounded by AFAR contributor Darrell Hartman. Launched in May, it “aims to redefine armchair travel” through short written and visual stories covering such subjects as Arabian motorcycle daredevils and the Serengeti’s most endangered animal. Watch the piece on traditional Romanian egg painting for a detailed look at one of Eastern Europe’s most prized crafts. —Lara Takenaga

“It’s Mom’s Turn,” Ottsworld.com
AFAR ambassador Sherry Ott is traveling through Novia Scotia with her mom. And she admits that it’s not necessarily going to be an easy trip: they are different travelers; her mom was never the adventurous type. I love reading about family travel, and mother-daughter relationships hold an endless fascination. I’m betting that Sherry and her mom are having a great—and interesting—time. —Davina Baum

American Kid, Patty Griffin (New West)
On her new album, the New England-bred, Austin-based singer-songwriter uses stories from her father’s life as the foundation for a travelog of songs that trace a loose course of dreams, fears, regrets, and fulfillments. Such titles as “Irish Boy,” “Go Wherever You Wanna Go,” “Ohio,” “Don’t Let Me Die in Florida,” and “Highway Song” indicate the rambling nature of the tunes. But the finely crafted lyrics and Griffin’s plaintive voice create a poignant sense of intimacy, underscored by the acoustic folk-blues instrumentation (featuring Cody and Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi All-Stars) and the harmony vocals of Griffin’s romantic partner Robert Plant. —Derk Richardson

“Beer Tasting Workout,” Food & Wine
F&W’s Megan Krigbaum and brewer Dave McLean of San Francisco’s Magnolia Brewery whip your tastebuds into shape with a crash course on hops, malt, and the beers that embody them. Adhere to the strict workout regimen (which includes a strenuous oatmeal cookie tasting) and you’ll up your beer-drinking prowess without even breaking a sweat. —Kim Fortson

Image courtesy of Chrissy S./AFAR

8 Travel Vines Worth a Damn

2013-06-10T12:23:02-07:00

This week, we’re celebrating all the creativity that travelers can fit into six seconds of video with these eight artistic travel Vines. Limitations often lead to new and interesting perspectives, whether it be publishing the complete works of Shakespeare via Twitter, or discovering the most effective way to communicate the essence of climbing the Eiffel Tower in a mobile phone montage. Take a look, and get inspired—when you’ve only got six seconds, every choice is key.

In Adrian Borovsky’s incredible Vine below, a commercial jet appears out of thin air, impossibly close to the beach, as it prepares for landing:

MRP’s “Ascending the Eiffel Tower” gives the viewer a sense for the dizzying heights and beautiful views to be had from one of the most iconic architectural achievements in a city filled to the brim with stunning structures:

Laura Bly’s “Inle Lake, Myanmar,” is breathtaking. The colors, the postures, the perspective, all give the viewer a lasting impression of the experience—not to mention the interesting paddling technique employed by the boatman:

In ito_yas’s post from the Toki Mino Ceramic Ware Festival in Gifu, Japan gives us a sense for the local cuisine as well as how it’s prepared in a way that’s only possible via moving pictures:

Okay, we admit it—we’re partial to MRP’s “Embrace the Fog” post for sentimental reasons, but it does show just how the fog comes in “on little cat feet,” and (if you turn on the audio) you can hear the foghorns so familiar to any San Franciscan:

There are few cities in the world as visually compelling as Venice—here, the aptly named Alice in Venice gives us a quick tour of one of Venice’s many canals:

This little gem comes our way via noted food blogger Elyse Pasquale, and is certainly among the most artistic posts we’ve seen yet on Vine, showing a Manhattan sunrise: Last, but certainly not least, we go behind the scenes with chef, writer, traveler Andrew Zimmern at Pierogies Plus in Pennsylvania to better understand just how these delicious bundles come to be:

If you have a video that you think is worth a damn, send it to us (community@afar.com). We’re on the hunt for videos that inspire, make us think, open our eyes and get us dreaming.

Photo by Barbara Chennault/AFAR.com

Wandering Chef: Masaharu Morimoto in Oahu

2013-06-07T15:19:49-07:00

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is constantly going back and forth between his eponymous restaurant in Waikiki and his soon-to-open restaurant in Maui. “I love the local restaurants and markets of Hawaii and often take inspiration from them for my own restaurant menus,” he says. When he’s on Oahu, the chef tries to sneak out of the kitchen to play a few rounds of golf at Ko Olina golf course. And after a stressful day at the restaurant he unwinds at Wailea Beach. “The water is so blue and clear and the sand is fine, almost like powder. This is where I can truly relax and be free of stress,” he says. Here, he shares his other favorite spots on Oahu, including his go-to pineapple store and the best watch shop on the island.

Shirokiya
“Shirokiya is a shopping mall and large market located in Honolulu. The extensive food court offers and endless selection of Bento boxes. I like to go and pick one up for lunch, depending on the fresh, local selections and my appetite that day.” 1450 Ala Moana Blvd. #2250 Honolulu, (808) 973-9111, shirokiya.com

Morimoto Waikiki

Eggs’n Things
“Eggs n’ Things is known for making the best pancakes in Hawaii, and I like to treat myself after I go for a morning jog. Their pancakes are fluffy and light, and come in delicious flavors like pineapple, coconut, macadamia nut, and banana.” 343 Saratoga Rd., Honolulu, (808) 949-0820, eggsnthings.com

Dole Pineapple Pavilion
“I like to buy fresh Dole’s pineapple here and bring it to the restaurant. Then I vacuum pack the slices and put them in the fridge for a few hours so that the pineapple becomes even sweeter.” 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy., Wahiawa, (808) 621-8408, dole-plantation.com

Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin
“This is a tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant that I highly recommend. You can’t even find tonkatsu in New York CIty as delicious as that of Baririn. Their pork is thick but tender, and the panko crust is so crispy that it never feels greasy.” 255 Beachwalk Honolulu, (808) 926-8082

Tourneau Honolulu
“When I’m not in one of my restaurants, I like to shop and spend time in different stores in Hawaii. I often go to Tourneau in Honolulu to look for watches (I’m very picky when it comes to watches!). The service is wonderful and the staff pays attention to my detailed requests.” 2301 Kalakaua Ave. #101, Honolulu, (808) 922-4111, torneau.com

Featured Traveler: Marie-Eve Valliéres

2013-06-07T08:15:15-07:00

Marie-Eve Valliéres has no shortage of love for the city where she was born and raised—as evidenced by the title of her blog, A Montrealer Abroad. Even better: she started the site while living abroad in Paris, and writing another blog. Now she’s back fulltime in Montreal, and putting all of her blogging love into her hometown. Valliéres’s posts are fun, personal and full of colorful photos, reading like one-on-one conversations over vanilla lattes (an experience that would likely appear later in the blog). Because of this, Valliéres is not only part of our fabulous team of Ambassadors; she’s also apt to cause serious wanderlust, especially in the way of describing iconic Montreal experiences, like poutine.

See all of Marie’s Wanderlists.

Right now I’m on the train from Toronto to Montreal.

Though I would much prefer to be in Tenerife snorkeling or scuba diving.

Occupation: Travel blogger

My next trip is to… Montreal! I’ve been away from my hometown for so long that all I want to do is revisit my favorite places and discover new ones.

My last trip took me to Scotland. Such beautiful scenery and welcoming people there—not to mention the accent!

First international trip—when and where? I bought a one-way ticket to London when I was 19, and lived there for a year. First time on a plane, first time abroad. Go big or go home!

My first passport is my most treasured travel souvenir. It’s filled from cover to cover with stamps and visas, and nothing in the world could possibly replace it. Such a small item, yet so evocative!

How has travel impacted your life?
Impact doesn’t even begin to cover it. It’s completely transformed my life. The minute I hopped on that first flight 6 years ago, I knew I was never going to be the same. Travel has made me a more curious, courageous and overall better person. Discovering a new place, tasting its flavors and meeting its people are the best gifts you can give yourself.

Is there an experience that has specifically transformed your life?
Without a doubt, living abroad. A year in London, two years in France. Completely immersing yourself in a new environment where very little is familiar is incredibly frightening, and yet it’s the most rewarding experience possible, in my opinion.

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve met on a flight or while traveling?
I’m a bit of an introvert, so I don’t open up to strangers easily. But I will always remember the warm welcome of an inn owner in southern Andalusia. We didn’t speak the same language and only communicated with hand gestures, but her sincere smiles meant more than words could ever express.

Three things you can’t travel without.
iPhone, my Tieks flats and chocolate. They all keep me sane (especially the chocolate).

Favorite restaurant: Le Fréti in Annecy, near the Alps. A very laid-back, rustic place, but I swear they serve the best cheese fondue in the world.

Public markets are the best place to connect with locals. Ask them about recipes with local ingredients; discuss the best way to cook salmon; debate which veggie tastes better—endless opportunities here.

What’s the one hometown place you miss most while traveling? That’s easy. My local poutine joint (called Poutineville). Nowhere in the world can boast poutine as great as this one.

Where do you always take out-of-town friends?
Au Pied de Cochon—hello, foie gras poutine (I have a thing for poutine if you hadn’t noticed. You can take the girl out of Montreal, but…)

Favorite foreign tradition: In France, every day celebrates a different saint. Antoine, Olivier, Justine, etc. Even today, people still buy flowers or chocolates for their loved one on their “saint day,” and say “bonne fête!” It’s almost like having two birthdays.

Travel has taught me to be kind, and everything this short word denotes. Heartfelt kindness will open all doors.

Reading List: 7 Pieces We Loved This Week

2013-06-06T08:31:48-07:00

“That Instrument Known as the Eiffel Tower,” New York Times
After you hear him “play” the Eiffel Tower, musician Joseph Bertolozzi might inspire you to carry drumsticks and mallets on your travels from now on. It’s not a totally new concept: 50 years ago, Frank Zappa played a bicycle on The Steve Allen Show. —Derk Richardson

“Bloggers’ Take on TBEX Toronto,” Butterfly Diary
Diehard AFAR followers will have noticed that last week there was a marked uptick in travel blogger tweeting from Toronto, including from me and Lauren, our community manager. We were there for TBEX, the Travel Bloggers’ Exchange, and it was an incredible opportunity to meet many of our fantastic ambassadors—such as the charming Charu Suri of Butterflydiary.com. She’s written a nice wrap-up of the conference. I hope to see many familiar faces at the next TBEX, in Dublin! —Davina Baum

“Want to Save Civilization? Get In Line,” New York Times Magazine
Even though I practice yoga, I still have a hard time staying calm when I’m stuck in a slow-moving line. My patience quickly disappears when I’m behind a dozen first-time flyers at airport security or when I have to renew my license at the always line ensnared DMV. But Matthew J.X. Malady makes a convincing case for the necessity of lines and why we should wait patiently in them in the New York Times Magazine. —Jen Murphy

“Dear Leader Dreams of Sushi,” GQ
Much of what is known about North Korea is based upon conjecture, survivor stories, and the educated guess. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Adam Johnson adds nuance to the dialogue in this thrilling profile of sushi chef Kenji Fujimoto (an alias), who acted as the Dear Leader’s righthand man for more than a decade. Partaking in lavish parties thrown in “guesthouses” (palaces) for “executives” (high-level bureaucrats) and flying around the world in a private jet just to procure caviar from Iran and cognac from France, Fujimoto discloses details that will send chills down your spine. —Kim Fortson

“24 Hours in Toronto,” NearAfar
Having just spent a few days in Toronto at the aforementioned TBEX conference, I must thank AFAR ambassador Natalie Taylor for showing off her city with obvious pride. She was our tour guide when we had free time, shepherding us around to great bars and restaurants. (The cocktails at Churchill were my favorite.) She’s a Toronto pro, be sure to check out her expertise on Nearafar.com and AFAR.com! —Davina Baum

“When The Beautiful Game Turns Ugly,” ESPN
Soccer is the world’s game, and thus, reflects the world’s problems. This story, about racism in Italian soccer, is about much more than a sport. It’s a look at an entire country grappling with its past and future. Great photos, too. —Jeremy Saum

“Lisbon’s Cocktail King,” We Heart
Englishman Dave Palethorpe helms the notable CINCO Lounge in Lisbon’s Príncipe Real, where cocktails christened things like “Jingle Bells Batman Smells” and “Cleopatra Comin’ Atcha” are, in fact, no laughing matter, judging by the delicious photos that accompany Alicja’s McCarthy’s Q&A with the “cocktail wizard.” —Kim Fortson

Photo courtesy of Lindsey Tramuta/AFAR

4 ‘Handmade’ Travel Videos Worth a Damn

2013-06-03T13:06:27-07:00

This week, we’re focused on the artistic side of travel. In the global economy, a personal connection to your craft is becoming increasingly rare—there has never been a more important time to celebrate the handmade. These are a few examples of ancient traditions that are still very much in the hands of modern descendants, where human spirit and soul is in evidence with every brush stroke, every stitch, every turn of the wrist.

“The Art of Egg Painting,” Jungles in Paris: This short film from AFAR contributors Darrell and Oliver Hartman celebrates the Romanian art of egg painting in Ciocanesti. Beautiful, intricate designs that echo those of the architecture and traditional dress also serve as the inspiration for egg painting, which uses colored beeswax to create patterns in a labor-intensive process, layering colors until the desired effect is achieved.

“Made by Hand, No. 4/The Cigar Shop,” Made by Hand: This short film on Martinez Cigars in New York City is number four in a series on “celebrating the people who make things by hand—sustainably, locally, and with a love for their craft.” Regardless of how you feel about cigars, you’ll appreciate the artistry that went into making this piece both informative and inspirational.

“The Hammock,” Brent Toombs: In this video, filmmaker Brent Toombs follows along as 80-year-old Emilio Choco outlines the ancient Maya method of hammock making—a fascinating process, and a rare and important cultural tradition.

“Sign Painters (Official Trailer),” Samuel J. Macon: This short trailer for an upcoming film documenting sign painting left us wanting more (is it too much to say “sign us up for the premiere?). It’s an art that is often completely taken for granted, but when done well, has a lasting power and beauty that leaves an impression.

If you have a video that you think is worth a damn, send it to us (community@afar.com). We’re on the hunt for videos that inspire, make us think, open our eyes and get us dreaming.

Photo by dominicspics/Flickr

Featured Traveler: Margrit Mondavi

2013-05-31T12:40:57-07:00

Margrit Mondavi exudes an infectious energy. As the Vice President of Cultural Affairs for the illustrious Robert Mondavi Winery, Margrit pioneered the original cultural and culinary arts programs, uniting wine with the arts, that now serve as benchmarks for the industry. Not only is she a grand dame of wine, but also a storied traveler with a collection of experiences as vibrant as her personality. With a knack for recounting her tales with equal parts wit and vivacity, Magrit retains a wonder for the world that is both rare and catching.

Right now I’m in New York City.

Though I would much prefer to be in New York City! I am only here for a short visit and I’d very much like to stay a bit longer. I’d love to walk in Central Park and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and my favorite, the MoMa, and the other galleries because I’m so deeply connected to the arts. I also wish I had the time during this trip to see a Broadway show and of course eat at a number of fabulous restaurants. It is always fun to walk down 5^th Avenue and see how the fancy stores look and see the newest fashions!

Occupation: Vice President of Cultural Affairs, Robert Mondavi Winery.

My next trip is to: Switzerland with friends that have taken me to Greece twice, so it is my turn to show them “my Switzerland!” We are flying into Zurich and doing the whole trip on the train; the trains are fabulous in Europe and especially in Switzerland. And I have to remind people that when the train leaves at 8:14, the train really leaves at 8:14! We are going to see Zurich first and a little bit of Appenzell, the German part of Switzerland, where my family came from and I was actually born. Then I will show them the area near where I studied and then over to the Italian part where I grew up. So we will do Switzerland in three phases. We only have a week so we will do each part in two days, although you really do need more time!

Two polychrome angels I bought on the streets of Sassoferrato, Italy are my most treasured travel souvenirs.

How has travel impacted your life? Travel has broadened my view on everything. Travel is geography, history and just a way to learn about other cultures; it is very enriching.

Is there an experience that has specifically transformed your life? Yes! The experience that has specifically transformed my life was meeting my husband, Robert Mondavi.

What’s your biggest airline pet peeve? Lost luggage. That happens to me often. One time when Bob and I were flying to Sardinia we stopped in Milan to get on a small plane and I not only had everything packed for the wonderful trip at a resort but also for the 80^th birthday party gala of Ueli Prager, the founder of Mövenpick, where guests were required to wear Black Tie or Swiss Costume. His black tie and my costume were lost in the luggage; it was terrible!

Favorite alcohol you can’t get in the U.S.—One of the cordials of Alsace. You may be able to get it in certain places but I’ve never seen it here, like Mirabelle or Kirsch—those are wonderful.

Favorite shopping destination: Some of my favorite shopping destinations are to visit the antique shops in Arezzo, Italy or to find wonderful treasures someplace in Vietnam or Cambodia – which you can’t take away with you on the airplane, but they are lovely to dream about! And, of course, Paris for the highest fashion.

Street Food is the best way/place to connect with locals. You share food and a little conversation and it is a wonderful way to get to know about the culture

Best memory of a trip with kids—either from your own childhood or with your own kids: I took my children and grandchildren to Switzerland as I’m going to do again very soon by train – all 11 of them – and that was unforgettable.

Most out-of-character travel experience? The tour that we took to follow Marco Polo’s footsteps from Kashgar to Denjuan in Western China was definitely out of character. It was a little over 20 days and most of the travel was on army jeeps, camels, country trains, trucks and some hiking. Any way we could get around over the mud piles. This was about 20 years ago, I don’t know that I’d be able to do it now! There were 18 of us. Bob was a very good sport. He never backed down. Everything was conquerable to him, so we did the trip and it was a fabulous adventure!

Favorite foreign word or phrase: ‘Please’ in any language.

Favorite foreign tradition: The variety of ways and customs for people to toast in different countries.

Travel has taught me to accept humbly other traditions and ways and admire the differences.

Title photo courtesy of Margrit Mondavi

Wandering Chef: Rob Zack in Poland

2013-05-30T20:21:06-07:00

Rob Zack, the executive chef of Aspen’s newly reimagined Hotel Jerome, has spent considerable time reconnecting with his roots in Poland. His father’s side of the family is from Poland and so is his wife. Zack is particularly fond of Gdansk, a city on the shores of the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the Vistula River. “It’s full of history and character,” he says. “I find it much more enjoyable than the touristy Krakow and Warsaw.” Mr. Zack has been making trips to Poland for the last 12 years and says the country is continually changing. “Poland has embraced capitalism and new restaurants are always just around the corner. In this day and age, with capitalism comes globalization. This is especially true in the Polish cuisine. I find Polish people very proud and protective of their cuisine, but I can see the mom and pop stores disappearing. They aren’t gone, just harder to find and more expensive.” Mr. Zack says the best way to find an authentic eating experience is to ask locals for the best spots. “Yes the pierogi are not to be missed, but don’t skip the smoked meats, fish, and sausage. I find Polish cuisine to be full of some of the best smoked pork products around. It’s a chef’s heaven. Oh, and don’t forget the vodka.” Here, he shares his favorite Gdansk restaurants, plus the ultimate doughnut.

Bar Kmar
“Bar mleczny (milk bar in Polish), is a Polish form of a diner that started in the late 1800s and offered both milk based food and traditional cuisine. Prior to World War I they appeared all over the country and offered relatively cheap, nourishing food. The concept survived through World War II. After the war, Poland became a Communist state and moderately priced restaurants such as these were declared capitalist and most of the restaurants were nationalized or closed down by authorities. Starting in the mid-1960s these bars were used as a way of offering affordable meals to the working class. The meals, subsidized by the state, were cheap and readily available to anyone. Many of these restaurants went bankrupt after the fall of the Communist system. Some, however, were preserved as relics of the welfare state and began to make a comeback in early 2010. They became small, inexpensive restaurants providing authentic, good quality, Polish food and customer service. Bar Kmar is a perfect example of a bar mleczny. My apartment was one block from Bar Kmar when I lived in Poland. It provided me with many filling meals at an incredibly cheap price. The food is authentic, tasty, well prepared, and served quickly. Portions are huge and they have every type of Polish food imaginable so bring your appetite and your Polish dictionary. There is not much English spoken here, so come prepared to do a lot of pointing or referring to your dictionary.”
Pomorska 84, 80-34 Gdansk, 48/58-556-34-69, kmar.pl

Restauracja Kubicki
“Located just off the old town city center on the Vistula River, Kubicki serves creative interpretations of traditional Polish cuisine. The dining room offers a modern take on the history of the building, and the servers are more than happy to give you a history lesson. You can also enjoy your meal on the beautiful riverside terrace. I’m not a pickled herring fan, but their version is superb. Also on the menu are creative versions of pierogi and a wonderful version of braised roulade (beef, bacon, and pickle rolls) served on top of groats. The fish is fresh and prepared with modern techniques.”
Wartka 5, Gdansk, 48/58-301-00-50, restauracjakubicki.com

Paczki
“You can find paczki, Poland’s version of the doughnut, at any good bakery throughout the country. My favorite is in Sopot, a Polish beach town on the Baltic Sea. The shop is located in a small storefront at the eastern end of the main pedestrian mall, Monte Cassino Street. The shop does not have a formal name. Rather, the store sign announces the goodness that lies inside: “donaty na monciaku.” Get there in the morning and the staff will sell you paczki right from the fryer. Traditionally, they are stuffed with jelly, glazed, and sprinkled with orange zest. The dough is much richer than a traditional doughnut and a true work of art. They put any American counterpart to shame.”

What We’re Reading: 7 Stories You Won’t Want to Miss This Week

2013-05-30T09:45:44-07:00

“Let’s Get Lost,” Medium
Rebecca Flint Marx reflects on the great American road trip and the desire to get lost—happily, it’s still quite possible. —Davina Baum

“Jeffrey Deaver on Bathrooms Around the World,” The Wall Street Journal
I arrived in New York City today, checked into my hotel, and had an alarming experience when I used the toilet in my bathroom. The toilet seat felt like it was on fire. Nothing I could do seemed to lower the temperature. Now, I suppose a toasty toilet seat should be the least of my worries. During my travels throughout India I was horrified by the lack of toilet seats (or toilets, or any manner of restrooms for that manner). But the experience did make me appreciate Jeffery Deaver’s obsession with bathrooms around the world. Read more from his piece for Off Duty about high-tech toilets, luxe lavatories, and holes in the ground. —Jen Murphy

“Rich Tourist, Poor Tourist,” The New York Times
Tony Perrottet, author of The Sinner’s Grand Tour: A Journey Through the Historical Underbelly of Europe, contemplates the highs and lows of luxury and populist travel through the ages, from first-century philosopher Seneca through Lord Randolph Churchill to today’s ‘one percenters’ planning to venture into space on Virgin Galactic. “The economic gulf between travelers is part of a great tradition,” he writes, raising the issue of who (among the 3.5 percent of Earthlings who get to travel internationally at all) is really having all the fun. —Derk Richardson

“My Year Without A ‘Real’ Job,” LandLopers
Many of us may dream of quitting our day jobs to travel the world, but few ever make the leap. Though AFAR Ambassador Matt Long’s decision to do just that wasn’t initially intentional, he’s more than made the most of it, turning his passion into his career. —Kim Fortson

“Is This The World’s Best Music Festival?” Roads and Kingdoms
My summers revolve around two things: the beach and music. My summer concert line up has so far entailed Bottle Rock, Napa and in the future includes Governors Ball on Randalls Island, NY, Bonnaroo in Tennessee, and Outside Lands in San Francisco. But Matt Goulding, of Roads & Kingdoms, pens a piece this week that makes me believe I may have missed the summer’s (world’s?) best music festival. I guess I’d better buy tickets for next year. —Jen Murphy

“It Takes a Writer to Know a Writer,” San Francisco magazine
I enjoyed the feature experiment that appeared in the June issue of San Francisco magazine. The mission: to pair 15 Bay Area writers with their local literary crushes, send them on blind dates, and publish the experiences. The result is more than a dozen spirited profiles that take readers to such Bay Area venues as a San Francisco IHOP and the softball practice of Michael Lewis’s daughter in Berkeley. It all begins with Michael Chabon in Oakland, or “Brokeland.” —Serena Renner

“12 Things We’ve Enhanced With Caffeine,” Mental Floss
As one who turns on the coffee pot even before hopping in the shower, I’m appreciative of a good morning jolt—but these caffeinated products, which range from toothbrushes to beef jerky to underwear—take the buzz a little too far. —Kim Fortson

Photo by Tara Guertin/AFAR