Global Wanderings

I'll Gladly Pay You A Pula Today...For A Rand Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Fri, 19 Aug 2005 11:06:00 -0400

For those of you who may wonder where in the world one might find Botswana....I've provided this handy map with complementary flag (in case you wondered about that too). Carrie and I traveled to Southern Africa a few years ago...although it seems like it was just yesterday...for a University outreach project. In Botswana we worked with students from the University of Botswana, Gabarone to teach women and children entrepreneurial skills and basic business practices. Essentially our goal was to teach them to support themselves, as a large portion of their adult male population has died or cannot work due to HIV/AIDS.

We expected to find people lacking in education, business skills and understanding of entrepreneurial concepts. What we found were individuals steeped in entrepreneurial thought, having found ways to make a pula in the past just to keep surviving and feeding their families. I was thrilled to experience the excitement and pride that our students had in their ideas and plans for the future. It was truly an amazing opportunity for Carrie and I to understand that there are universal truths about mankind....we will overcome anything if we have to and with work and dedication there is no limit to creativity and opportunity.

This being a travel blog however brings me back to the second reason for traveling to Southern Africa....to travel and to drive on the other side of the road (which was challenging....but fun). Carrie and I went on Safari in South Africa (which in hindsight we should have done in the Chobe of Botswana) but didn't see a lion....so we cheated and visited the St. Claire Lion Park to see several up close. Honestly....it was frightening. Our little VW bus that I was driving was surrounded by young lions. We drove onward heading to the top of a hill to overlook the valley and found, as if posed by Disney, a HUGE lion with his mane blowing in the wind like Mufasa. He didn't appreciate our close proximity to him...but didn't crush us like he could have.

Aside from the lions...the food was great too. There is a spice there which I cannot find in stores in the US called Peri-Peri...although I've never looked too hard. The Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken will give you something to remember....which is where I made the mistake of asking for the Hot stuff. We also saw "fatcakes" for sale...but chose to avoid them. Maybe next time. We drank some Lion and Castle beer which is locally brewed, we did eat Oxtail, (which is very good...especially with Peri-Peri) and we regularly had Rooibos Tea between meals (a holdover tradition from British occupation). I was also able to eat with a small family and enjoyed the meal of various cooked beans, vegetables and stewed beef (at least I think that's what it was)....but the traditional Botswana Achar I could have done without. Also beware of Madila, or sour milk, which is consumed alone or with porridge. Not my kind of thing I guess.

I could go on and on about travel through Botswana, the sights (like cattle crossing the highways regularly), the sounds (like the local market bustling with trade of spices, bootleg CDs and Cassettes and clothing) and smells (good food, bad sewage...take your pick)...but I'll stop here and encourage anyone to take this trip for themselves. The people, the environment and the experience make the journey well worth the hours of being stuck in tourist class on an airplane. Just be sure to avoid babies, larger than usual travellers and those who have chosen to boycott deodorant. You're going to find many of those deodorant boycotters during your African travels.

Philly Has More To Offer Than Cream Cheese

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Tue, 2 Aug 2005 15:54:00 -0400

Dimitri & Greg in Philly
Originally uploaded by gyatman.

Philadephia, the "City of Brotherly Love", derives it's name from the Greek translation for...you guessed it...brotherly love. No sick jokes please...there are Greeks reading this.

There is however much more than brotherly love going on in Philly these days...in fact some fairly notable things have been going on there since the 1700s (if you're behind on US History). Unfortunately due to terrorist scares and post-9/11 security issues, the symbols of liberty, justice and freedom are heavily guarded and besieged by tourists lining up for hours just to see the relics of history which link us to our United States heritage. Not one to back down at the sight of sunburned tourists, restless children and souvenier vendors, I pressed forward to visit a few crucial sites in Philly. By the way...be sure to ride the PHLASH to get around (it's only $1 a ride). Here's my "must see" list for a visit:

The Liberty Bell - Often heard is "it's much smaller in real life than I thought it would be." Reminder however is that it's not the size of the bell...well you get it.

Independence Hall - Get here early to pick up a "free" ticket for admission...seriously...these go fast in the summer and once they're gone you're stuck outside imagining how it might have been.

The National Constitution Center - Honestly I didn't go inside but walked around it...not because I didn't want to go inside, but because we all couldn't agree on where to go next and it was really, really hot. It's really big, bright and impressive (all good signs of a sight worthwhile)

Christ Church Burial Ground - Ben Franklin lies here...and rumor has it that if you toss a penny on his grave it's good luck. Obviously a very cheap groundskeeper started this one.

Philadelphia Museum of Art - Beautiful museum, designed to give a seamless tour through art genres and nationalities. Incredible works and atmosphere that still have me awestruck.

Mutter Museum - As gross as the Philadelphia Museum of Art is beautiful. Disease, mutation, disection and fetuses line the walls of this shocking monument to human illness and death. Eat before you visit....your appetite will definitely thank you later.

Duck Tour - I know that in Boston I hated the Duck Tour...quacking at us in our crappy tour trolley...but the Duck is redeemed in Philly. It's fun, informative, aquatic and most importantly you get a free duck quacker (you'll have to see it to understand).

We also dined at two restaurants in Philly that need to be addressed (please be aware that Philly has one very happening food scene which requires future culinary visits)...one good and one just so-so (in my humble opinion). These two are:

Jim's Steaks - Call me a rookie or simply an uninformed steak eater...but my cheesesteak from Jim's was dull, very little cheese (Cheez Wiz of course) and not worth the waiting in line. Sorry Jim...I'd rather eat a real NY hot pastrami sandwich from Katz Deli (of "When Harry Met Sally" simulated orgasm fame")

Positano Coast - This restaurant was perfect after a day of touring. Modern Italian cuisine, based on the idea of sharing plates and experiencing a wide variety of foods. Be sure to try the Tiramisu (one of the best I've ever had...even in Italy and I'm not even a fan of it!)

I've left out some small things...and fogotten to tell some funny stories..but I think a visit to Philly is truly worth the time and effort. The city history is rich, the city cuisine is impressive (they've even got Chef Morimoto from Iron Chef here!) and the sights are phenomenal. There is definitely more to Philly that Cream Cheese, Cheesesteaks and Tastykake.

California Dreamin'

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Wed, 20 Jul 2005 11:23:00 -0400

Some of you, in fact most likely a majority of you will be unfamiliar with this scene....but to me it's home...actually it was home for most of my life. This photo depicts the "Smallest Mountain Range in the World" or so the residents of Yuba City like to tell everyone.

Notice the agricultural look of the scenery and it isn't hard to imagine that despite the reputation of California for being full of surfboards, beaches and bikinis (although I have surfed and did own a surfboard at one time)...I spent most of my time dodging puddles of tobacco spit, wondering how anyone could wear Wrangler jeans with giant cowboy buckles and seriously contemplating whether the ever present Country Music was a deperate attempt by the South to finally gain retribution for their Civil War defeat. I'm still hanging on to my Southern conspiracy theory....even after Shania Twain (so beautifully) cast doubt upon it.

I have to give this tiny place credit however for giving me to urge to travel as far away from it as possible, as much as possible, to get a clearer picture of what the rest of the world looked like. It's not as if Yuba City is a terrible place, in fact my parents and Carrie's parents still live there, it's just that opportunity and diversity doesn't exactly grow on trees there as do peaches, plums, almonds and walnuts. Yuba City does have the International Tomato Festival...which is most likely International because it features Salsa and Spaghetti Sauce....but at least it's a festival!

California is still my home state...in my mind...which is why I haven't even exchanged my license for a NY one yet (I just can't let go yet, so don't tell the DMV)...and I thought I'd share some great places that should be visited if possible (leaving out Disneyland..which is a given regardless of age), especially with the newest Jetblue fares to California:

San Francisco - From North Beach to Chinatown, The Castro to Alcatraz...this city has the commerce, style and feel of a big city without the overwhelming atmosphere...I would recommend S.F. as "The Best" city in California in terms of food, sights and friendly people...quite a few freaks too (which is good for picture taking)

Napa Valley - Although Sideways highlighted Napa's southern California cousin the Santa Ynez valley, the real deal is found in Napa Valley near San Francisco. Be sure to visit Steltzner Vineyards on the Silverado Trail and ask for either Dick (the owner) or Allison (his daughter) to give you a real wine lesson and great tasting

San Diego - Perfect weather, 15 minutes from Mexico and fantastic beaches. The Mexican food here is incredible (and it should be), Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Torrey Pines and Pacific Beach are great to visit....but be sure to see La Jolla as well to view Beverly Hills of San Diego

Santa Barbara - Yes...Sideways was highlighting the wine country here...but the scenic views make this city unforgettable. Great college scene too...Isla Vista is something to be seen and most likely not remembered the next day

I realize that I've been pretty broad with my suggestions for California, but I can't help it....there are dozens of places within each of my suggested destinations that I would recommend. Maybe I'll break them down further on another post. Until then however enjoy your travels and be sure to share your stories too!

Mental Vacation to Greece

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 11:01:00 -0400

Carrie in Santorini
Originally uploaded by gyatman.

Those of you fortunate enough to have Greek friends (I say this out of respect for our Greek friends...and because they read this as well) will most likely understand that in the summer months...our Hellenic friends migrate back to Greece, the village (horio) and Islands. Carrie and I have many Greek friends (like Len in the past postings), and consequently are now quite alone in Astoria...despite being surrounded with older Greek-American Astoria residents. The old folks...they're just not the same, don't like to visit the Beer Garden, like to be in bed by 9:00pm, wake up too early and most importantly can't move very fast. Sorry Yia Yia and Papou...we just can't hang out anymore.
The point to this post however is this...I'm mentally visiting Greece each day when typing away at my computer, watching the clock tick steadily toward the weekend and wondering "what if I just left right now....just got up and walked right the F out?" Never doing it of course...because I lack the courage, job leads and the healthy bank account to do so.
Basically put however we miss the horiatiki, souvlaki, frappes , light background music (in Greek of course) and most importantly the company of friends...conversations influenced by coffee, cigarettes and typical Greek emotion. So, in an attempt to place the final touches on my Greek Mental Vacation I'll mention some Greek spots in Astoria...if you're in the neighborhood...to help out.

Stamatis
Telly's
Lefkos Pyrgos
Taverna Kyclades
Titan Foods

It must be noted however that I do have a beautiful Greek girlfriend (posing perfectly in the pic) to ease me through our time of Greek separation anxiety (Again I say this out of respect for my Greek girlfriend...and because she may read this as well). So in the end, although our friends are away for the summer, hopefully they'll be back soon...with stories to tell and time to spare. Until then.....Kala Taxidia (Good Travels)!

The Windy City Blew Me Away

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Thu, 14 Jul 2005 13:49:00 -0400

Sears Tower at Night
Originally uploaded by gyatman.

A few weeks ago I was visiting Chicago on business (ALA Conference) and found some free time to check out the Windy City sights. I have to admit that given my limited amount of touring time I missed out on several key Chicago attractions...such as The Field Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Shedd Aquarium (I'm still irritated that I missed this one) and The Adler Planetarium...but I still saw a nice slice of Chicago life.

I started my Chicago tour by buying tickets for the Chicago River Architecture Tour...a must for the Chicago visitor unfamiliar with Chicago history. I followed this tour with a walk through the Navy Pier, which also provided plenty of Chicago flavor (although a bit more touristy). Not to let a river tour and pier walk slow me down...I headed to the John Hancock Building (the best skydeck view in Chicago I have to admit). The Chicago skyline was quite impressive...even for a NYC resident like me (it must be noted that I am a California transplant however...if anyone ever wondered).

When discussing Chicago the food must also be discussed. Chicago has an incredible food scene. From hot dogs to cheesecake, sweetbreads to foie gras, Chicago has the selection. I was able to dine at three great restaurants that I should definitely share:

MK - Hidden away from tourist crowds and the everyday hustle and bustle...the atmosphere is perfect and the wine list is fantastic too (check out the Steltzner Cab)

Gibson's - Steaks made for a king (or queen) and service to match. Kate Hudson and Chris Robinson sat at the table next to us...but being starstruck didn't stop me from consuming large quantities of steak and wine (check out the Chicago Cut steak....perfect for "real" red meat affectionados)

The Parthenon - Perfect for tourists, great for residents...but most importantly everyone feels like family. Large family style tables encourage shared drinks, food and occational shouts of "OPA!!!"

Chicago is a perfect place to visit in the Spring and Fall (Summer and Winter can be brutal) but don't let the weather keep you from enjoying the Chicago scene. The people have the kind mid-western charm to them, the funny "Dahhh Bearsss" accent (sorry Chicagoans), and a great sense of local pride. Simply put...The Windy City Blew Me Away.

Sympathy and Respect to London

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Thu, 7 Jul 2005 11:57:00 -0400

I've had the pleasure of being beaten up by the Pound vs. Dollar conversion twice in my life. I say pleasure because I never really minded much while taking in the whole British experience driving through Oxford, London and the Buckinghamshire (particularly Haddenham) countryside. Our friends, Julian and his son Mark Stow, have always provided a comfortable home, great food (yes...it was good Mr. Chirac) and unmatched hospitality...a few pints at The Rose and Thistle never hurts either. We've toured London together, we've toured Oxford together...and we almost got them to take us to a Pikey Camp (think Brad Pitt's residence in Snatch). The point I'm trying to make is this...I loved the UK and really enjoyed my time in London...which is one of the reasons why it is very disturbing to turn on the BBC news (via NYC cable of course) to see the terrorist attacks on the London Underground this morning. Without making a political statment...I'll simply send my sympathy and respect to the UK for responding to the situation quickly and maintaining order. Unfortunately NYC has become accustomed to this type of threat, yet the thought of another attack on this city sends chills down my spine. I sincerely wish the people of the UK the best of luck and a speedy recovery in healing the wounds an attack of this sort creates within society.

Len & Me....Without Norm at Cheers

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Wed, 6 Jul 2005 11:59:00 -0400

Len & Me....Without Norm
Originally uploaded by gyatman.

Alright this location is a bit touristy (is that a word?)...but it is Fourth of July weekend vacation and I spent a significant part of my childhood watching Sam, Carla, Coach, Woody, Norm and Cliff on TV...so it all evens out in the end. Needless justification aside, this bar is one of the largest tourist traps in Boston (sorry Cheers proprietors)...so just take your picture here and move on. The Boston Public Garden is directly across the street and much better suited for a real touring experience...check out the Swan Boats and the World's Smallest Suspension Bridge.

Be sure to visit MIT (particularly the new building paid for by Bill Gates) and Harvard if you're in the Cambridge area...especially "The Pit" in Harvard Square to get the college feel back again...of course most likely your college experience wasn't quite as expensive...but hey...college rebellion has no price or social class restrictions. I really enjoyed the area and even drank a pint or two of Stella at Daedalus around the corner from the Harvard train station.

I would also like to recommend the Old Town Trolley Tours of Boston due to the fact that aside from the Duck Tours (which just the sight of them made me angry for some reason) you will not find more coverage of Boston. Beware of Gray Line due to lack of marked stops and many trolleys...you may walk aimlessly through Boston looking for a stop...running franticly at the sight of any red trolley...as of course we did. Long story short...enjoy Boston. It rocks.

Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Wed, 6 Jul 2005 11:52:00 -0400

Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market
Originally uploaded by gyatman.

Filled to capacity with shoppers, tourists, families and entertainers....this seems to be the heart of Boston. Within walking distance to most of Boston's great sights and definitely worth a visit. We followed our visit to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market with a brief wait in line for the 26th Annual Clam Chowder Festival...which we soon left due to boredom...and ate great food at the Union Oyster House (America's Oldest Restaurant) where we enjoyed fantastic cornbread, clam chowder and crab cakes. As Carrie and Len (the two Greeks) enjoyed the sun....my Scandinavian skin felt the wrath of helios...leaving me with a burning, tingling souvenir to take to work with me on Tuesday. My co-workers must have loved the raccoon eyes and peeling forehead. Damn you genetics...why must I burn before tanning? Anyways...the trip was great and we also squeezed in an Aquarium visit as I mentioned we would in a past blog. Mission Accomplished.

Air Sick

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 10:50:00 -0400

I just arrived back in NYC after a brief business trip to Chicago (touring details and pic will be provided later) and I have to share my air travel experience as a means to vent frustration. I chose to fly ATA even though the company was paying the bill...a mistake I will not make again. The flight was leaving Chicago Midway Airport at 3:00, and I was flying standby since my later flight had been mysteriously cancelled at the last minute. As I crammed myself in the middle seat of the 24th row in this Boeing 737-800 I suddenly had the feeling that this may be the worst flight I've ever endured (and I've endured some bad ones). Two grown men on either side, babies to the left and front and most irritatingly what seems to be the least bit of legroom I've ever experienced....and I've flown Ryanair before so I know tight fits!

As we lifted off from the runway all seemed well despite the cramped quarters...but this brief moment of satisfaction was not to last. Babies, joining together like a demonic choir of discontent, let us all know their opinion of the flight. Oddly enough I shared the same feeling of "Get me out of this place...now!"

I coped with the crying, gasping and screaming until nearly 20 minutes before arrival time, when the pilot announced, "Uhhh...ladies and gentlemen, we seem to have....uhhhhh...some gridlock on the ground...and...uhhh....I'll keep you posted on our new arrival time...should be 20 or 30 minutes. Thanks for your patience and we're working on getting you home."

Long story short, we landed one hour later in Connecticut...Bradley Airport to be exact. We stayed on the runway for hours..waiting to be refueled and cleared to land in NYC.
I dealt with this situation is several ways:
1. iPod - charged and full of music
2. Water - staying hydrated in important
3. Book - an advanced copy of Turning the Tables kept me occupied nicely
4. Mentally abusing fellow passengers - picking out who I would like to kick, slap and/or punch for annoying behavior is a nice pastime when trapped on a plane for multiple hours...do not however act on these thoughts...many celebrities do not seem to have the "don't abuse" policy in check, so avoid their mistakes

After nearly 7 hours of flying, waiting and flying again I arrived in NYC. Never have I been happier to jump into a Yellow cab, listening to my cabbie hurl obscenities at other drivers, knowing that Astoria was just a few miles away. Top Tomato here I come (don't ask...it's an Astoria thing).

Stay tuned for Chicago info...much less complaining...much more travel talk.

Northeasterly Road Trip

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Tue, 21 Jun 2005 13:52:00 -0400

This July 4th Weekend will consist of a new travel adventure for Carrie, Leonidas, Iro and myself. Of course we mulled over the ideas of "Vegas, Baby....Vegas!!!" and also driving hours upon hours from NYC in traffic to hang out at the Montreal Jazz Festival (I'm still mad that it takes so long to get there by car!) but these just didn't fit into our ideal vacation. We needed to find relaxation, some touring and of course the obligatory wide open road with scenery for an official "Road Trip".

Basically we've decided to go to Portland, Maine....but not before staying two nights in Boston first. Typically I wouldn't write about a trip before it actually happens...but I'm pretty excited about this one...so I am bending the unwritten rules a bit. Besides...maybe someone can recommend a Boston or Portland sight that I've missed. Here's some of the sights we're hoping to enjoy:

Boston

The Freedom Trail (apparently a must for the Boston Tourist)

Faneuil Hall (apparently a must for the Shopaholic Boston Tourist)

Redbones BBQ (highly debated...but possibly the best BBQ in Boston...especially rare so far North)

U.S.S. Constitution Really big ship....not called "Old Ironsides" for nothing

New England Aquarium I can't help myself...I'm a sucker for a good aquarium...probably because I, like Ned and Steve Zissou, always wished I could breathe underwater

Portland, ME

Peaks Island I've been to a few islands in my time...the Greek Islands, Robben Island, Ellis Island, Long Island (if you're from NYC you know that's funny), Coney Island (another NYC joke) and Alcatraz Island (alright I only cruised around it) but that's not the point). The point is that I've never biked around, hiked and ate lobster all on the same island...so this should be a great time to try all of the above.

Portland Head Lighthouse Usually lighthouses aren't my thing...but I'll make an exception for the sake of a great photo op...and just to say we did it of course

Shipyard Brewing Company Did you really think that we wouldn't drink at least SOME beer on a road trip? Stay tuned for pictures of this event.

Well...that's a taste of what we expect to see...of course there will be additions to the list and changes to the itinerary...but this will be our basic journey. I'm sure I'll post before then....but I had to share before hand. Any suggestions are always welcome to modify our trip for the better!

Greek Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Fri, 17 Jun 2005 12:53:00 -0400

Greece may possibly be one of the most perfect places on the face of this earth. Yes...the politics can be a bit messy and trying to find a parking place in downtown Athens during any month other than August (when everyone is in the Islands or the Horio...or village) may cause a difficult situation...but these things are minor when weighing them against the fantastic food, incredible people, awe-inspiring ancient ruins and the overall visual beauty of the experience. Honestly...Greece is a vacation which no one should miss and no one will want to forget.

Carrie and I stayed with her family in Melissia, a suburb of Athens near Kifisia, where we spent the time planning our sightseeing and also recovering from eating too much, drinking just enough and staying out too late. As it turns out, Carrie's family is closely affiliated with the ION chocolate company in Greece....somewhat like the Hershey's of Greece. Not a bad connection to have.

Her family urged us to visit the sights in Athens and then head to the Islands for awhile. We didn't resist their suggestions. We found two islands in particular to be well worth visiting time and time again. They are as follows:

Ios - This island rocks. We stayed at Markos Beach Hotel on Mylopotas Beach which is just a small trail away from the sand. The stay was great...the hotel poolside bar was nice...and the staff was incredibly friendly. I can't wait for our next visit.

Santorini - Poli Orea....or very nice. That's putting it lightly though. This island has a red beach, black beach and white beaches...great wine, great food and plenty of places to watch the sun set in Oia. We stayed in Imerovigli, finding a great little cave apartment which was carved into the side of the cliffs as is traditionally done in Santorini.

Also, be sure to visit the local churches...famous from the pictures printed of them around the world, such as St. George, which was located just above our apartment. The icons found in these churches are covered in gold, silver and jewels...incredibly beautiful and full of deeply moving history of the religion. We found that these icons were a part of the culture in general..in every home, every business...simply part of being Greek. The best part about enjoying these icons was that we fortunately found a way to have a beautiful piece of Greece in our home and now own several icons purchased from Religious Icons From Greece. Now each day I leave the house for work...I remember that Greece is calling me back...and I'm just one ticket away from leaving.

Southern Safari

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Thu, 9 Jun 2005 11:31:00 -0400

A few years ago Carrie and I travelled to South Africa and Botswana to teach women & children basic business principles and also encourage entrepreneurship in these countries. Aside from this incredible mission however, we still found time to enjoy the surrounding sights. Some of our favorites were:

Pilanesburg National Park - It was amazing...and we drove a little VW Polo through the park despite being stopped by two rhinos in the road fighting and also dealing with other poor drivers swerving everywhere...because it's difficult to drive and spot game at the same time apparently. We saw four of "The Big Five", a term coined from white hunters for the five most desirable animals in Africa, which are lion, elephant, cape buffalo, rhino & hippo. We didn't see a lion until later in the trip.

Cape Town - Aside from the Greek Islands...I can't think of a more amazing place for the combination of sights, food and overall atmosphere. We drove for miles down the coast to the Cape of Good Hope to see the southwestern most point of Africa...as far south on the planet as we've ever been....yet. The wine country and beautiful homes in Constantia are reminiscent of Napa Valley, the sparkling ocean and enormous seaside cliffs are similar to those in Hawaii, the food is a mixed bag of Greek, Indian, Asian, and traditional African cuisines....which makes a very nice variety. If you want to fly to Cape Town from Jo'burg...check out the airline kulula.com which is similar to Jetblue and Southwest...but with a funnier twist. It's cheap, comfortable and a very enjoyable ride.

I would actually recommend trying to drive in Southern Africa if you get the opportunity....especially if you enjoy the challenge of trying to master driving on the opposite side of the road. Now it's important to note that I love to drive...it's part of my California past...so if you can't handle poor roads, horn honking, cattle randomly walking into traffic and the occational dead pedestrian (we saw this in fact....this is a big problem in these countries because it's easier to walk on the roads than in the brush and dirt on the side of the roads) think carefully before you rent a car or a combi.

I'll let that me enough reminiscing for the time being...but a trip to Africa is a must for anyone interested in really experiencing the world. On our conquest to visit nearly all the continents of the world...we've found some very special places, including many within Africa. The journey is just beginning.

Time To Eat - NY Restaurant Week

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Tue, 7 Jun 2005 11:46:00 -0400

As tourists and heat descend on New York City for the summer...this is a fantastic time to start thinking about how to still enjoy yourself indoors....especially when you're in need of some nourishment. The answer for you my friend is New York Restaurant Week which you should immediately check out and make reservations for to get in on some gourmet cuisine at budget prices.
The official advertisement of the event goes something like this, "Savor the cuisine of the city's most talented chefs, and experience the quality, variety, and hospitality that makes New York the best restaurant city in the world."
And I agree with the statement 100%. I've eaten some of the most impressive meals of my life during past restaurant weeks....and I plan to continue this tradition, selecting different restaurants each season. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Aquavit - Scandinavian (Swedish influenced)

Firebird Russian Restaurant - Russian...and very upscale...ask for a table in the back corner to view the entire restaurant...table 21 I believe

River Cafe - Very, very nice for a lunch date...one of the only reasons I'd go to Brooklyn (sorry Brooklyn fans)

These three are a nice variety of choices and shouldn't dissapoint.

Beer Garden - Prague or Astoria

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Fri, 3 Jun 2005 11:05:00 -0400

While hanging out with friends at the Bohemian Beer Garden the other night it suddenly hit me that I could be very well in Prague if I didn't know better. The staff, most of them anyway, speak Czech....or something that sounds like it. The signs, knick-knacks and even beers behind the bar are predominantly of Czech origin...and most importantly, the food being cooked up is definitely Czech.

Now it is important to note that I am not Czech, nor have I been to Czechoslovakia...yet, so this is not a Czech bias by any means....this place just is a great time. The Erdinger beer is a great wheat beer...kind of lemony and great to beat the summer heat. At $12 per pitcher it's hard to beat considering you'd pay nearly $7 for one pint in Manhattan.

If anyone has been to Prague and also visited the Beer Garden I'd be interested in finding out how similar or dissimilar the experience is....but I surely won't ever quit praising the Beer Garden.

Anyone have some thoughts on this?

New York Summer

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Wed, 1 Jun 2005 09:49:00 -0400

As summer is rapidly approaching everyone is fully aware of the humidity and foreign smells that will besiege NYC...however at this time all is well, the sky is blue, the air is crisp and the temperature is just right. The smells will never fully go away.

During this time of year there are several places that one must go to fully enjoy the moment. These places are as follows (and will be quite Astoria-centric....since I live there...and I love it)

1. Bohemian Beer Garden - This place is great for friends, affordable Belgian, Czech and German beers, good food hot off of the grill and most importantly relaxation.

2. Central Park - I realize that it may seem a bit touristy...but trust me...it's big enough to erase the thought that you're even in NYC, let alone surrounded by bustling crowds and tourists stopping without notice to take pictures of sidewalks, police and/or bad shots of towering buildings above...it's a fact.

3. Jackson Diner - Although Carrie would surely disagree, Indian food is always good. Especially if you take advantage of the weekend buffet and have a nice cool Mango Lassi to wash it all down it's hard to beat this dining destination...especially in Queens.

4. Greenwich Village - There's something about the Village in the summer that I like...especially at night near Washington Square Park. If you bypass the wandering pot dealers, walk right on by the random chess games and simply head to the fountain in Washington Square...it's a nice place to soak in the NYC atmosphere. Also, there are several great bars and comedy clubs, including the Comedy Cellar (my favorite) in the immediate area.

5. Astoria - As mentioned previously, I live here, I love the neighborhood...especially up near Ditmars where I live. On any given weekend make a trip to Avenue Cafe or Athens Cafe for a frappe and possibly a warm tiropita...if you're lucky you can grab a table outside and enjoy some people watching. Also check out Zlata Praha for some amazing Czech food....the Szegedin Goulash is unbelievable.

Well...that's all my tips for now...plenty more to come soon. I know I can't be the only one out there with some advice and/or stories of travel...so let's hear some.

Carrie and Greg at Sacre Coeur

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Sat, 28 May 2005 13:09:00 -0400

Carrie and Greg at Sacre Coeur
Originally uploaded by gyatman.

This is Carrie and I enjoying the view from Sacre Coeur, found in the Latin Quarter of Paris. Although it isn't visible, the Eiffel Tower is a few miles behind us

Europe In Winter

noreply@blogger.com (All5Boroughs) — Fri, 27 May 2005 11:04:00 -0400

Let me begin by stating that I love to travel, I love to eat new, foreign foods and I love to experience new cultures. Being an American...when travelling it is not always easy to blend in, not offend or give reason to cause a foreign citizen to suddenly hold me personally accountable for my country's foreign policy record...yet it is always worthwhile to press forward and still try to be a good global citizen...not just a simple American tourist. This is one of my passions in life....travel.

Which brings me to this blog. I travelled with my girlfriend Carrie to both Paris and Stockholm this past April...learning many things along the way that I felt should be passed on. I'll break some of the tips out according to city.

Paris:

1. Soupe al'Oignon Gratine - French Onion Soup tastes great and should be enjoyed whenever possible, particularly if you are able to vist Cafe de Flore in the St. Germain des Pres area. Hemmingway, Sarte, Capote and Simone de Beauvoir are among the many famous faces to be seen here in the past.

2. The Louvre is big...really big. But is can be done in under 6 hours if you strategically hit the main attractions, starting at the top floor, navigating through the maze of rooms and making your way down to the pyramid base...visit the food court if you need a quick boost of energy...but don't eat your whole meal here...this is Paris and better food is out there.

3. Hotwire and Venere.com have great deals on Hotels throughout Europe...this was true in both Paris and Stockholm if my memory serves correctly. We stayed in very spacious 4 star Hotels at 2 star prices....which was very nice considering typical Paris Hotels are very, very tiny.

4. The Metro is fantastic. Coming from NYC, where we have the Subway...but it smells and is quite dirty...the Paris Metro was a pleasant surprise. Very easy to navigate...even with very limited French speaking ability between the two of us.

Stockholm

1. Cold in the winter....seriously. The scenic beauty of Stockholm with a layer of ice on Lake Malaren and light snow on the rooftops however made the visit a pleasant one. If you bundle up, are prepared for some cold weather and are determined to enjoy you trip...well then by all means make a visit.

2. Eat Swedish Meatballs, or Koetbullar when you're here....it's Sweden, and be sure to eat some Lingonberry sauce with them. The Pelikan in Sodermalm is a great place for some Falcon beer, Koetbullar, conversation and even some of it's famous Pork Knuckle with Three Mustards...I tried it and loved it.

3. Walk up early...the sun sets before you know it (usually around 5:30 when we were there) which limits your time to travel around. Be sure to visit the Royal Palace, The Vasa Warship, The NK Department store...and also buy some Kosta Boda glass or crystal for a great gift.

4. The Tunnelbana or Stockholm subway is also a must-see, must-ride portion of your visit. It is the cheapest and fastest means of getting around...especially if you buy a multi-day pass. It's clean, fast, a little difficult to make out the names of some stops....but that's part of the adventure.

This is just a small portion of my tips...but I figure there's plenty of time to share more later.
Do you have any tips on travel to share? Even if it's about your hometown, state, country or continent...just give it a try and let us hear your stories.