Same Same But Different-a travel spot.

Vancouver 2010 - Weather Delays

2010-02-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

It was another early morning, up at 3:15 to leave Semiahmoo at 4:00 to catch the bus to Whistler at 5:15. We had two scheduled events today, Men's Super Combined Skiing and Women's Singles Luge. The park and ride for Whistler Creekside, venue for the alpine events, is at Langara College in Vancouver. It was actually a park and walk in the pouring rain, the buses blocks away from the parking lot. We were already soaked through and the day hadn't even started yet. We boarded the bus and had just gotten settled when the announcement came that all Whistler Olympic events had been cancelled for the day. Shit!!! No doubt, the weather was a mess, but it's hard to walk away from several hundred dollars worth of tickets on the word of a nineteen year-old volunteer with a walkie-talkie. With almost a foot of snow overnight, it would make sense to cancel alpine events if conditions were bad, but not luge, which is climate-controlled. Unless the Sea to Sky highway was closed, I was skeptical. I tried to confirm the cancellation on the Olympic website via BlackBerry, but it would be many hours before updates were posted. Back on with the soggy coats, hats, and gloves for the trudge in the rain back to the car. News 1130, the official radio station of the games, reported that the alpine events were cancelled, but made no mention of other Whistler events. So, it appeared that luge would run, but we had no way to get there. Our ride to Whistler was the bus we just got kicked off of. Other buses were running, but not from our location and getting tickets would be a challenge. The weather might not impact competition in luge, but it would make for a miserable spectator experience, standing in the snow and rain. The forecast was improving, but not fast enough. So, we turned around and headed for the border. We stopped at Big Al's for breakfast in Blaine and then went back to bed.

When the weather cleared and all events were accounted for, here is how it shook out. Men's Super Combined Skiing was rescheduled for Sunday the 21st. Men's Giant Slalom, originally scheduled for Sunday the 21st, for which we also have tickets, was rescheduled for Tuesday the 23rd. Our tickets for Women's Ski Cross Freestyle Skiing on Tuesday the 23rd were cancelled, as were all 20,000 remaining standing room tickets for the Cypress Mountain freestyle venues. The story of the games has been the warmest winter on record in the Coast Mountains. With its low elevation and location just half an hour North of Vancouver, Cypress has virtually no snow pack. The organizers have done heroic work to ready the venues for competition, creating the infrastructure of the runs from bales of hay, crowning them with snow trucked and helicoptered in from around the region. While the "field of play" has been a solid platform for competition, organizers have not been able to maintain the standing room spectator areas. As rain eroded more than a foot of the snow cover, spectators started to fall between the underlying bales of hay. With no time to restore the area, the tickets had to be cancelled. German slider Tatjana Huefner won the luge competion, as expected, and we have no regrets napping though the event.

The Olympics is not just about sport; this is a festival of the arts as well. The Cultural Olympiad presents installations and performances in various mediums around Vancouver. One of the most anticipated of these events is the world premier of Laurie Anderson's "Delusion" at the Vancouver Playhouse. Tonight was opening night and we had tickets in the front row. Laurie Anderson is an experimental performance artist. Her multimedia solo shows feature light and projection, violin and keyboards, and the spoken word. She sometimes speaks through a voice modulator that gives her a deep, throaty, almost mechanical, male voice. "Conceived as a series of short mystery plays, Delusion jump-cuts between the everyday and the mythic. Combining violin, electronic puppetry, music and visuals, Delusion is full of nuns, elves, golems, rotting forests, ghost ships, archaeologists, dead relatives and unmanned tankers. It tells its story in the colourful and poetic language that has become Anderson's trademark. Inspired by the breadth of Balzac, Ozu and Laurence Sterne, and employing a series of altered voices and imaginary guests, Anderson tells a complex story about longing, memory and identity. At the heart of Delusion is the pleasure of language and a terror that the world is made entirely of words." What a load of pretentious crap!!! There were some pleasing visuals and interesting projection effects, but the new age electro pop rock music and the dramatised breathlessness of her streams of consciousness were over the top. The arty crowd ate it up, delivering a standing ovation lasting several curtain calls. Our polite applause were more than the show deserved. We hit the streets just as the crowd was thundering out of Canada Hockey Place, Team Canada having defeated Norway in the opening round of the hockey tournament. There is nothing like a drunken scrum of Canadian hockey fans to relieve the stupor of bad performance art.

Vancouver is one of my favorite food cities. The incredible bounty of the region, the early and deep devotion to local, sustainable, and organic produce, pristine seafood, artisanal meats and cheeses, the ethnic diversity of the population, and the "Hollywood North" scene, have combined to create a food culture of true quality and creativity. Many of these great restaurants are downtown and overrun with Olympic crowds, but many more are in the neighborhoods South of False Creek and are easily accessible even with the city in the spotlight. We had a late dinner tonight at Refuel in Kitsilano. The restaurant launched a couple years ago as Fuel. I had an amazing multi-course meal there last year, sitting at the kitchen bar and watching the talented brigade prepare beautiful food. The concept was great, but couldn't be sustained in this economy, so Fuel morphed into Refuel with "honest food" and a "relaxed atmosphere." We started with a round of drinks, the Dark 'N' Stormy, a classic Commonwealth cocktail of Gosling's Black Seal Rum and ginger beer. Then, bread service with housemade butter and...whipped lard. Oh, yeah, whipped lard!!! We followed with seasonal olives, dry spiced pork ribs, and croquettes. The pork rib tips were deep fried and dusted in a spicy salty rub that was almost on the verge of too much, but stayed just inside the lines. And the coquettish croquettes, unassuming fried balls of love, eaten in a single bite, they exploded with a flood of molten foie gras. Damn!!! Then, a creamy onion soup, rich and subtle, garnished with croutons and a drizzle of herb-infused oil. I continued with the signature buttermilk fried polderside chicken. Light and crispy, juicy and tangy, the gravy dark and rich, the jalapeno biscuit dense and buttery, the coleslaw salted and dressed in vinegar with celery seeds. On the side, I ordered the cheesy Refuel potatoes, a humble name for the classic dish Potatoes Joel Robuchon, a silky puree laced with lusciously rich and mild cheese. It is the ultimate fusion, tastes so complimentary, textures so contrasting, smoother than a stringy cheese with more chew than a fine mash, strands pulling from every bite. To finish, a peanut and chocolate parfait with crumbled honeycomb. This is the true Cultural Olympiad. Good food is great art.

Next Event: Men's 1,000m Speed Skating

TG

Vancouver 2010 - 500m Speed Skating

2010-02-18T01:43:00.000-08:00

We are looking forward to speed skating today, but the highlight of the event is the signature building of the games, the Richmond Olympic Oval. This is one of the few entirely new venues for the Olympics and it is by far the most architecturally significant. The Oval sits on the banks of the Fraser River in Richmond, a Southern suburb of Vancouver and home to Vancouver International Airport, YVR. The low-slung building features one of the longest clear spans in North America, the "Wood Wave" roof constructed of one million board feet of native wood from trees downed by pine beetles.

This is the Men's 500m Long Track Speed Skating Finals. It is a short distance race on a long distance track, 1.25 laps on an oval measuring 400m. Competitors skate in pairs from two lanes, and cross-over mid-race. The distance skating from the inner and outer lane is the same, but the advantage is not. This is a sprint with speed building through the race. The skater in the inside lane for the final turn has the advantage. To correct for this, each competitor skates twice, once from each lane. The times from each race are combined to determine the final standings. 39 skaters will race twice in pairs, so we will see 40 races, with a pause after each ten races to resurface the ice. This is an exciting sport. It lacks the crowded ice and spectacular crashes of short track speed skating, but long track skaters reach speeds of 60km per hour. It is the fastest human-powered sport.

We lined up on the dyke overlooking the river as we waited for the doors to open two hours ahead of race time. This building has been designed as a multi-purpose community venue post-games, and much of the infrastructure for the Olympics is temporary. We entered through tents and walked under scaffolding on the way to lunch at the concession stands. Decent standard hot dog, bun steamed soft, and pretty good chili, more Stagg than Nalley. The house was full, the crowds favoring Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands. We had great seats in Row 17 above turn four and the staring line. The starter sounded like a drunken Quebeccer with a speech impediment, like former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien after a moderate stroke. As each race was about to begin, he would call the athletes to the starting line, "Go to the start." The skaters glided forward, the tip of the front skate just on the line, the back skate biting into the ice for maximum leverage. The starter called, "Ready..." and the skaters lowered into a crouch. As the starting gun popped, the racers exploded from the line, accelerating down the straightaway with powerful alternating thrusts. Just incredible!!!

The first ten races went off without a hitch, but at the first intermission, the ice resurfacers failed for the second day in a row. We were delayed for more than an hour as they tried to address the problem. Zamboni is the eponymous brand in ice resurfacing, but this Olympic ice was trusted to Olympia resurfacers. Not good, but we were not without entertainment.

Brass band Kleintje Pils tours with the racers on the World Cup entertaining speed skating crowds all over Europe. They made the trip to the Olympics and kept us warm singing along to the classics. When the ice settled and the racing concluded, just 22 hundredths of a second separated gold medal winner Mo Tae-Bum of Korea from the Japanese skaters that took silver and bronze. The winning time was a combined 69.82 seconds over two 500m races.

After our speed skating marathon, we stopped at Rob Feenie's Cactus Club Cafe for dinner. Rob Feenie WAS the celebrity chef extraordinaire of Vancouver. Lumiere was among the very best fine dining destinations in Canada. The casual Feenies next door delivered the same quality food in less-fussy preparations, featuring an outstanding smoked cheese dog, Feenies Weanie, and a killer duck shepherd's pie. The chef was the Emeril of the Canadian Food Network. Then he lost it all. Investors forced him out of his restaurants and brought in international uber-chef and restaurateur, Daniel Boulud. More about that in a later post. Adrift, a chef without a kitchen, Rob Feenie landed at Cactus Club Cafe, a Canadian chain of mid-range steak and cosmo houses with an ethnic twist, as executive chef. I love Rob Feenie's food and this was my first experience with his new gig. This location in suburban Vancouver near the border is very slick with dark wood, slate, and glass. It is the answer to the question, "Where do you go when you're too old to hang out at the frat house anymore?" The menu is fine, but not particularly inspired. The chef's specialties are noted with an "RF." There is a tuna tataki and a beef carpaccio. We started with a very pedestrian smoked cheddar chicken and spinach dip followed by very good short rib sandwiches, luscious shards of fatty juicy short rib and caramelized onions on sourdough toasted with emmental cheese, beef jus on the side for dipping. Dinner was satisfying, but oh how the mighty have fallen.

When we are not at the games, we are watching them live on Canadian television. CTV is available at Semiahmoo and it's a welcome change from the tape delays and rampant American nationalism of NBC's much-maligned coverage.

Next Event: Men's Super-Combined Downhill

Vancouver 2010 - Ski Jumping

2010-02-16T00:36:00.000-08:00

Our home base for the Olympics is the Semiahmoo resort in Blaine, WA, on the opposite side of Drayton Harbor from the Peace Arch border crossing. We are about fifteen minutes from the border, 45 minutes from Vancouver, and three hours from Whistler. Traffic is heavily restricted in the city and on the Sea to Sky highway leading to Whistler, so we will rely on the Sky Train for Vancouver events and buses to Whistler.

We left Semiahmoo at 4:00 this morning to catch a bus from the British Columbia Institute of Technology for the ride to Whistler.

Our first event of the Olympics, the first medal event of the games, is Men's Normal Hill Ski Jumping from Whistler Olympic Park.

We got to the top of the mountain and climbed off the bus at 7:00 just as the sun was starting to rise over the trees. I have skied here before in a former life and it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Snow capped mountains frame the view in every direction. The morning was crisp and clear as we set out for the jumping hill.

We trudged through the snow and ice, my new Yaktrax providing outstanding traction. Our first stop was the concession stand for some hot cocoa, but I was distracted by the full menu and the promise of pork schnitzel. When bacon is not available, any pork will do. We had assigned seating in the grandstands for this event so we headed to our seats. There is not a bad seat in the house and we had a great view, but these are not box seats. The benches were cold, hard, and wet. Our asses suffered greatly.

There are two hills at Whistler Olympic Park. The taller hill on the left is called the "Large Hill," while the shorter hill on the right is the "Normal Hill." There is reader board on the left and a video board on the right.

Ski jumping is scored using two components, distance and style. Judges award style points based on the skier's tuck riding down the hill, the "V" position of their skis and the forward position of the shoulders in the air, and the telemark form of the landing. Style and distance tend to be positively correlated; jumpers with the most perfect style will usually carry the greatest distance. Forerunners take multiple jumps before the competitors to help marshals set the course. The bar from which the jumpers take off can be adjusted up or down the hill depending on conditions. Optimal conditions allow for take-off speeds of between 86 and 87 kilometers per hour. This ensures that most skiers land between the red lines on the hill. If the best jumpers go much beyond that zone, the hill flattens out and the force of impact increases exponentially. Wind is also closely monitored. Counter intuitively, headwinds favor the competitor, tailwinds are a disadvantage. Wind at the back of the skier creates a vacum as they jump, while wind in their face creates lift and carries them further. Fellow SSBD blogger James J. claims that ski jumpers are never more than ten feet off the ground. I can't confirm or deny this claim, but it seems about right.

There are 51 jumpers. Each will get a practice jump and one competition jump, then the top 30 jump in the final round.

How was it??? Well, repetitive and boring. 130 jumps looked almost identical. 20 meters separated the shortest from the longest and not a single jumper fell. Not that I was rooting for injuries, but there was not a lot of excitement to keep us warm. Nor were our loyalties rewarded. Not a single Canadian qualified and the Americans were not competitive. In the end, there was little suspense. The favorite coming in to the competition had the longest jump of the first round at 105 meters, the longest jump of the second round at 108 meters, and the best style scores. Swiss jumper Simon Ammann took the first gold medal of the games.

Next Event: Men's 500m Speed Skating

BAR NUN-Bar Bolero in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

2010-02-15T11:21:00.001-08:00

Puerto Vallarta has little in the way of what most cities consider “hipster” bars, but Bar Bolero is among the few. That’s by no means meant to be disparaging, it just happens to be a very cool yet kitschy place. A cozy little hang-out on the corner where Tequila Town used to reside, next door to Roxy’s Sports Bar & live music club, Bolero has an atmosphere much more akin to what you may expect to find in San Francisco, L.A, or Seattle. This makes perfect sense, as at last visit, it was owned and operated by the proprietor of San Francisco’s classic dive, The Phone Booth (1398 S. Van Ness Ave. SF, CA 94110).

While not technically a dive bar, the drink selection is astoundingly affordable. All summer long Happy Hour lasts from 2 PM to 4 AM and features an overwhelming variety of premium cocktails, for the preposterously low price of 15 to 30 pesos. Click here for currency converter. Let me run down the drink menu for you so you can be amazed.

I’m talking about bottled beers for 15 pesos – right this minute, this is only a few cents more than one US dollar, people. That might be less than it costs at the grocery store! Got cash burning a hole in your Bermuda short pocket? What can you get for 20 pesos, you ask? For less than two US dollars (I am not kidding, this is a super value destination), you can dump some shots of Jameson down your gullet, or you can have some fancy cocktails, like pina coladas, mai tais, margaritas, Russians, or tangy, delicious lime daiquiris. For real!

Also available is what has to be my personal favorite name for a beverage, the Big Vicky, a 40 Ouncer of beer of indeterminate brand. Seriously, Big Vicky! It could be the name of a lady luchador!

Bar Bolero has a wonderfully tacky collection of outsized black velvet paintings beautifying the interior, including the characteristic Matador and Stalking Puma varieties. There is no juke box, but during our visit, obscure 1980’s songs and videos played over the sound system. Also available for your entertainment is a pool table, but it seems that in order to use it, you have to beat the tight designer jeans-wearing Mexican rent boys taking a break from watching futbol next door at Roxy’s to it.

Bolero is dark yet open, with large windows inviting warm Pacific breezes. The lighting is dim and golden like candlelight, lending heavenly auras to all and making everyone attractive. Lighting and fixtures appear to be custom metal pieces, giving a very arty atmosphere to the lounge, which is lined with serape-covered cushioned benches. It’s a very comfortable and extremely difficult to leave, especially when the lime daiquiris keep on coming.

One excellent reason to leave, if only for a few moments, however; is that directly across the street is a taco cart, which appears to be frequently on fire, selling sublime tacos al pastor late into the night. FP

El Bolero A Go Go

Ignacio Vallarta 229

(322) 223-2358

Vancouver 2010 - Opening Day

2010-02-14T15:46:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Cascadia, the Pacific Northwest, and the Lower Mainland!!! Welcome to Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver, and Whistler!!! Welcome to the 2010 winter Olympics!!!

This is my home, and I am proud!!! I grew up in the Northern suburbs of Seattle and went to college at Western Washington University in Bellingham, just South of the Canadian border. I now live in the heart of Downtown Seattle. Vancouver has always been to me both as wondrous as the exotic other and as familiar as the brother I never had. We are, as is engraved on the Peace Arch that marks the border, "Children of a Common Mother." Vancouver is my favorite city in the world, the perfect marriage of urban and natural, glass and green. Canada was the first stamp in my passport. I came here for family vacations and soccer exchanges as a kid. I took my first legal drink here on my 19th birthday, and saw strippers for the first time. I have smoked BC bud and Cuban cigars looking across Coal Harbor from Stanley Park. I have walked the Sea Wall and cruised under the Lion's Gate Bridge. I have attended the Sumo Canada Basho at the PNE, Molson Indy at Concord Pacific Place, and the Symphony of Fire over English Bay. And now the Olympics. I was there at GM Place on July 2, 2003 when Vancouver was awarded the 2010 Winter Olympics, and I will be at the games attending more than 20 events over the next two weeks.

Are the Olympics still cool? I am not the arbiter of cool, but I still believe. Even in Vancouver, public sentiment is mixed and protests have followed the torch relay. In a city of great wealth and opportunity, there is also great despair and poverty. Critics are right in claiming that the billions devoted to the games could be better spent helping the people, especially in the Downtown Eastside, the most drug-affected neighborhood in North America. It is also true that the Olympics have been taken over by commercial enterprise. They are a multi-billion dollar proposition with winners and losers. NBC is expected to lose $250 million on the Games, having submitted their bid at the height of the economy while selling ad time at an historical low. Co-Sport has exclusive rights to sell tickets in the US and several European countries. They are expected to make more on the games than any other entity. Corporate sponsorships and hospitality tents will be ubiquitous. Even some of the athletes will cash in. Snowboarder Shaun White makes $10 million a year. Short track speed skater Apolo Ohno is a celebrity and danced with the stars. Ski racer Lindsey Vonn will become the star of the Olympics if she can overcome a bruised shin and live up to the hype. But most of these Olympians are un-sung heroes. They have devoted their lives, given up the easy freedom of youth, and toiled in anonymity for a shot at victory and glory in their most pure forms. They seek challenge and progress and competition, while embracing the international Olympic spirit. They are athletes and ambassadors, and I am rooting for them.

Opening ceremonies are like musicals, spectacular and emotional at their best, silly and boring at their worst. Also like musicals, they have very little to do with real life. This will be no exception. I don't like musicals. Just the same, I hate to miss a spectacle. So, without tickets, we decided to make a run at it. We crossed the border to Surrey and rode the Sky Train into the city. We got off at Stadium station and joined the throngs headed for the ceremonies. The crowd was jovial, if not jubilant, dressed for the winter that never came and draped in the flags of world. Tickets for Opening Ceremonies in the US market were priced $600, $900, and $1,300. We could never pull the trigger for that kind of money, but we had cash in hand if there was a deal to be had. There was not. As we wandered among the crowds, many people were looking to buy, but very few were selling. I monitored Craig's list from my Blackberry, but every lead was a dead end. We checked the box office at the stadium. We could get in for $1,100. Not worth it. With the rain starting to fall and the public viewing plaza in Yaletown filling up, we went home to watch the ceremonies on TV.

If you were interested, you joined the three billion people worldwide who watched it live. For my money, I am glad I didn't spend it. The evening was dominated by First Nations mythology that has never interested me. The music, virtually all of it lip-synched and performed at half-tempo, failed to inspire. Even "O Canada," the most beautiful national anthem in the world, was flat. Some of the imagery was beautiful, and the projection technology impressive. The dancing images of light magically turned the floor of the stadium into the surface of the Earth. This effect was at its loveliest as a young man ran through, and floated above, amber waves of grain, set to the Joni Mitchell classic, "Both Sides Now." The lighting of the cauldron, however, the highlight of any opening ceremony, was ill conceived and poorly executed. The plan to have four greats light the cauldron together was very Canadian, but lame and uninspired. Having both an outdoor and an indoor cauldron was an awkward solution to holding the ceremonies in a covered stadium. The technical difficulties raising the fourth ramp of fire ended the ceremonies with a thud, echoing the sound of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili hitting the pillar of death in Whistler.

Opening Day left me non-plussed, but the excitement begins tomorrow.

Next Event: Men's Normal Hill Ski Jumping

Watch us go for the gold!

2010-02-10T21:37:00.000-08:00

SSBD Travel is happy to welcome Tres G. as our newest contributor. Tres has sailed five of the Seven Seas and toured six of the Seven Continents. He has cruised Down Under and flown Up Over. He has been around the world, and is as round as the world. He will go anywhere and do anything, as long as there is first-class transport and five-star accommodations. He doesn't own a backpack and has never stayed in a hostel. He has a filthy mouth and a refined palette, both of which crave bacon above all else. His guilty pleasures include lapel pins and the worst of American pop music. He is the Everyman, yet one of a kind; he speaks for his generation and writes for no one but himself. Tres is our correspondent to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Look for his nightly updates après-ski and post-skate.

Is Budget Travel going on a permanent vacation?

2009-11-17T10:59:00.000-08:00

The New York Magazine recently reported that Budget Travel is getting ready to pack it up for good. Say it ain't so. We just renewed our subscription! In our opinion Budget Travel has seen better days. Though Arthur Frommer's name is still above the title, he has been out of the picture for some time now. Currently operated by the Newsweek Group, the magazine has seen a decline in quality content in recent years. Once full of feature articles, now it seems dominated by ads and content readily available online. However a rep for BT emailed NY Magazine and said "Budget Travel is not shutting down nor is it laying off staff. It’s business as usual at Budget Travel and we are currently working to produce the February issue and beyond." After recently receiving what appears to be a thinner than usual December 2009/January 2010 edition with, we are starting to worry. Budget Travel is currently offering an annual subscription for only $12. Times are tough, but that is a bargian. JJ

2 Tickets to Parasites by Rachel Flotard-a reprinted article.

2009-10-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

If you don’t know who Rachel Flotard is, you should. Rachel and her band Visqueen have been supplying a heavy dose of rock/pop/punk music since 2001. Their new record, Message to Garcia was released September 8^th, 2009. Their third record, it shines with well crafted, catchy songs from the heart. The record was inspired by George Flotard, Rachel’s father, who was a New York Steamfitter and no-nonsense kind of guy. After a lengthy battle with prostate cancer he passed away in April of 2008. Rachel started her own label called Local 638 Records, to honor her father and his NYC Steamfitters union.

After her father’s passing, Rachel decided to go on a journey to Laos. During her trip she started a blog to capture her experiences. Land Of A Million Elephants. And One Flotard is a collection of her stories as a first time visitor to Laos. Rachel was gracious enough to allow us to reprint one of her stories.

2 Tickets to Parasites-Originally posted on November 5^th, 2008 by Rachel Flotard

My first taste of Pho in Laos. We walked up and down the streets trying to decide on where to go. Justin had been to this little spot before, and he was still alive.

It was open to the sidewalk, hot, and a poodle with one eye was walking around. He was curly, once white, and the super cute house mascot. We pulled up some plastic chairs and ordered two chicken soups. I walked over to a small cold case and pulled out two bottles of water. Towards the back of the restaurant was a vinyl lawn chaise lounge occupied by a young man watching TV with no shoes on. When I say there is no 409 or Windex for a thousand miles I mean it. And it's great.

Shortly after our order, he got up and delivered 2 glasses of ice water brimming with future shits and a side of rickety ass limes.

The nice woman delivered the soup. It was delicious salty broth with chicken that had been simmering since yesterday (sure!). There were bits of garlic and skin with the goosebumps still on them. Justin passed me some choppers and I said a hail Mary to my metal spoon.

At that moment, Justin was about to put his chopsticks in his mouth when I noticed the "Tranny Pink" shade of Wet N' Wild on the end of his utensil. I glances at it and said, "Uhh..dude, you might want to change that out". He did. And we ate the hell out of those bowls as if our bowels were back at the room.

I'm happy to report as we rode to the market by tuk tuk and enjoyed the day, there was nary a barf or reeah among us.
Khop Jai!!

Now to anyone reading this that has not purchased Message to Garcia, do yourself a favor and get it. You will be glad you did. For more of Rachel’s writing about her trip to Laos, visit her blog Land Of A Million Elephants. And One Flotard.

I think I just saw the ghost of Abbot & Costello in Hollyweird!

2009-10-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hollywood always entertains. Even in death. This October how about treating yourself to a walking cemetery tour of the stars? Visit grave sites for the likes of Cecil B. Demille, Jane Mansfield and even Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. The "Cemetery of the Stars" tour typically runs on Saturday and Sunday of each week. Click here to visit their website.

Also buried at Hollywood Forever are Johnny and Dee Dee Ramone; however, we are not sure if they are a part of the tour. Check out the famous statue of Johnny. Now that is rock n' roll! JJ

Did Leonardo da Vinci like Shamrock shakes?

2009-10-05T11:12:00.001-07:00

I couldn't really get a good exterior picture of the Pantheon in Rome. It certainly wasn't due to a lack of trying. The piazza in front, like many things in Rome is fairly cramped. As I backed up as far as I could to capture the entire building, I gathered a faint smell of french fries. Overhead was a large red sign with golden arches. That is right, smack dab in the middle of Piazza della Minerva is a McDonald's. Not a complete surprise since McDonald's and other fast food establishments dot the landscape of this historic city. However, most of them are in train stations, busy streets, or next to hotels. This particular McDonald's provides one of the best views of this almost 1900 year old structure.

Now comes word the French are ready to place a McDonald's in the Lourve. Actually it will be located in Carrousel du Louvre, an underground mall located next to the museum. Perfect. Now you can enjoy the glory of the Winged Victory of Samothrace while eating a Big Mac. JJ

Related: L.A. Times-McDonald's to hang out its shingle near Mona Lisa's home in the Carrousel du Louvre

Austin-Help wanted. What to do in the live music capital of the world?

2009-09-27T21:20:00.000-07:00

Same Same is taking a short trip to Austin, TX, USA very soon. Our plans include visiting the much lauded Salt Lick BBQ, a day trip to San Antonio to tour the Alamo, the San Antonio River Walk, swimming at Barton Springs and some quality time with great music.

The bands we’re looking forward to seeing this October in Austin are the Murder City De v ils at the fantastic outdoor venue The Mohawk, Ruby Dee & the Snake Handlers, and we sure hope we get the chance to see Austin up and comers Oak Is Keeping. If you like Oak Is Keeping, you can vote for them in the Airwalk Unsigned Heroes contest and and help them get a record deal.

Please send Same Same suggestions if you have ideas for additional fun in Austin. We are always on the lookout for interesting activities. FB

Bar Nun-Willie’s Hi-Lead Inn Hamilton, WA

2009-09-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

Like the Bermuda Triangle, Willie’s is shrouded in mystery & speculation. The allure is not knowing what to expect.

This truly down & out dive bar resides in a tiny hamlet halfway to nowhere near the Skagit River in a nearly windowless cinder block bunker. Perhaps the lack of seeing inside enhances the mystique? My theory about the name is it’s their warning to townspeople about the paint quality. The concrete interior is sparsely furnished with handwritten signs, juke box & indoor/outdoor carpets. Support posts in the bar are marked with tape lines indicating heights of past floods. Every year or so, furniture & electronics get temporarily moved to the roof as the mighty Skagit overflows. Many residences seen on the way through town, permanent & trailer variety, are raised up on blocks. Certainly an unusual sight to behold.

At Willie’s, activities abound. There are dart boards, horseshoe pit, pool tables & a wood paneled stage. Upon this stage has been witnessed the most horrifying karaoke to spew from a human orifice. Honestly, it’s bad. Once I saw a drunken local known as Johnny Appleseed enter, trumpet aloft, & play along with the canned music. For sure, this improved the experience. Let’s just say I’ve never seen a sober person sing here & the old dude that runs the karaoke is no golden throat, either. Most selections chosen are the C&W/1980’s variety. I guarantee they have Total Eclipse of the Heart.

One confounding thing about Willie’s is that though they do not offer premium liquor, they serve incredibly cheap delicious snacks, most of which are made right there. I have it on good authority that Monday’s special, “$1 Burger Night”, is fantastic. I’m a huge fan of their thick, crunchy onion rings ($3.75), & the breaded, deep fried mushrooms are mighty fine. They serve a homemade version of most standard bar appetizers, sandwiches, pizza, and occasionally, “broasted” meat items. I don’t know what that means, but most things I’ve eaten here were surprisingly tasty, though as with any place, there’s the occasional menu misstep. When you’re not paying for ambiance, prices can be extremely reasonable.

Back to the previous statement regarding liquor – Willie’s serves bottom shelf brands. Abundant $1 Schmidt in the can, flavored Smirnoff & the like. On one occasion, a request for better quality gin spurred a former Willy’s bartender to unpack a ladder from a storage closet, climb up to a hatch in the ceiling & retrieve a bottle of Beefeater from the roof. Evidently this is where the secret stash of middle shelf libations is hidden? Don’t worry, you don’t have to drink Schmidt. If you’re a high roller with $2.25 to blow, you can have a whole pint of High Life or Coors.

It’s also surrounded by scenic wilderness. Stop at Willie’s on the way to or North Cascades National Park or this here hiking trail.

Willy’s can be lots of fun for very little money. Don’t tease the locals & be sure to tip the bartenders well. Some of them are young folks saving up to get out of town & go to college. FB

Note: We normally offer a link to a business web site or review; however, there is none to be had. This appears to be the first review of this fine backwoods establishment.

456 Maple Street, Hamilton, WA 98255
(360) 826-4366

I want to rock n' roll all-night and sleep in my free Motel 6 room the next day.

2009-09-02T19:56:00.000-07:00

Try throwing the TV into the swimming pool when it’s bolted to the bureau, bad boys. That’s right, (select group of) Rock Stars! Budget giant Motel 6 is willing to host you for free if you’re on the right label. They are currently working to expand their roster of touring bands that are being offered free rooms, but this is a pretty interesting promotion. Just don’t expect the groupies to be to terribly impressed to be taken back to your room. But if you’re drunk, they’ll leave the light on for you. FP

The Lower East Side Hotel will offer rooms with a different kind of view.

2009-09-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

Are you brave enough to go to the bathroom in front of your bunk mate? Me either. Our friends at Hotel Chatter are reporting the currently in design Lower East Side Hotel are taking the "open concept" to a whole new level. There is a shower and toilet, but no walls for privacy. I can see it now, "Honey will you leave the room for a moment? I need to take care of some business."

The hotel will be in the Lower East Side/SoHo area and will include 220 modern European minimalist style rooms. Between this and The Standard NYC, we are kind of waxing nostalgic for the old Times Square. JJ

Alaska Airlines-They are no virgins to offering a great deal.

2009-08-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

One of our favorites, Alaska Airlines has announced a two-season sale with fares valid until 2010. “This system-wide sale offers some of our lowest fares to the sunny Hawaiian Islands and Mexico, and includes our newest markets — Atlanta, Houston and Austin.” said Steve Jarvis, vice president of marketing, sales and customer experience. No comment from Jenn, the always willing to help CS agent.

Examples of One-Way Fares:

* $29 between San Jose and Sacramento;

* $49 between Seattle and San Francisco or Oakland;

* $59 between Seattle and Boise or Spokane; and between Portland and Oakland or Spokane;

* $79 between Anchorage and Fairbanks;

* $99 between Seattle and Houston or Austin; and between Portland and Chicago, Los Angeles or Santa Rosa/Sonoma;

* $109 between Seattle and Los Cabos;

* $119 between Portland and Atlanta;

* $148 between Seattle and Honolulu;

* $149 between Portland and Maui;

* $199 between Anchorage and Maui.

They also just announced a 10% discount off of vacation packages, in addition to receiving 1,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Bonus Miles. For more details go to Alaskaair.com.

With winter just around the corner, who wouldn’t want some coconut drinks or banana margaritas? RD

Bizarre World-You bet, that's different alright.

2009-08-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

Next week our favorite rotund Minnesotan, Andrew Zimmern debuts his new show. Bizarre World can be seen Tuesdays at 10pm on the Travel Channel. Basically the same show as Bizarre Foods, with less focus on the odd items we put in our mouths and more focus on unique customs and culture.

Will you be watching?

Get lei'd in a hybrid.

2009-08-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is now offering hybrid options at four of its Hawaii locations. You can choose from either Honda or Toyota cars depending on available stock. In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions the company already offers hybrid vehicles in 29 other markets.

We sampled renting a hybrid in Maui the first week of September and the estimated cost was a little over $200. Not too shabby.

San Francisco-Part II: Happy, Happy, Happy in Chinatown and More.

2009-08-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

As we continue our San Francisco visit, we move a few blocks west of Union Square to Chinatown. This predominantly Chinese community was founded in the mid-1800’s and is a must see for tourists. The oldest in North America, it is reported to have the largest Chinese population outside of Asia. Walking down its crowded streets, it is not uncommon to hear several different Chinese dialects and not a word of American English for lengthy periods. Visit the quaint shops where bargaining is often not only allowed, but encouraged. In a sea of standard San Francisco branded tchotchkes, these shops can hold hidden treasures for discerning shoppers. A favorite is the Canton Bazaar at 606 Grant Street. Though shopping in Chinatown can be fun, what I prefer to do here is eat and drink.

The Bar Nun has written about my favorite little watering hole, the Li Po. It’s certainly worth a visit for their famous Mai Tai, but don’t expect anything too fancy. This place, like much of Chinatown, is well travelled. Across the street is the Buddha Lounge. The Buddha is even smaller and more of a dive than the Li Po. However, I can think of worse things than standing at the bar with a nice pour of your beverage of choice while watching the “Happy, Happy, Happy Man”. Another interesting option is the Empress of China. This once glorious restaurant has certainly seen better days. Upon entering, you’ll see a wall of photos of people whom I am guessing to be the owners with top celebrities. Unfortunately these celebrities, much like the Empress of China, have seen the spotlight come and go, or may even be no longer with us. I can only imagine the opulence of this place in the 70’s and early 80’s. Take the elevator to the top floor lounge. I have never tried the food, but the bar offers great views of busy streets six floors below, Coit Tower, North Beach, and Russian Hill. Pictures of those great views can be a bit tricky because of the reinforced wire windows; however, a decent optical zoom and no flash will do the trick. Of course, you can always blame any poor pictures from this fantastic vantage point on the abundant booze.

Chinatown also has some delicious eateries. It is hard to go two or three storefronts without seeing glistening roasted ducks or tasty bakery treats in the windows. My advice is to pick one that looks good and keep your fingers crossed. Chances are you will have a great, inexpensive meal. One food item I have yet to thoroughly enjoy in San Francisco’s Chinatown is sit-down Dim Sum. I have read about great take-away joints, but I like to have my shrimp balls presented by ladies with carts. You would think this place would be crawling with good sit-down establishments, but I have yet to find a stand out.

At the western edge of Chinatown is Broadway. This street and surrounding area are home to many of San Francisco’s gentleman’s clubs and the Francis Ford Coppola owned Columbus Tower. The Columbus Tower is very photogenic and if lined up properly you can snap a cool picture with it in the foreground and the Transamerica Tower in the background.

Across town is the Civic Center and adjacent Tenderloin. The Civic Center area is home to City Hall, the Supreme Court of California, and the Opera House. The Tenderloin is not. Both areas are worth a look, but don’t plan on spending much time in either. I highly recommend checking out the recently renovated City Hall and hear good things about the Asian Art Museum. The Civic Center is also home to various open air festivals such as Slow Food Nation in the summer months. Due to its close proximity to the TL, at night this area can be extremely different from the center of San Francisco politics and cultural events its hosts during the day. Since many events are held at night, direct transportation is strongly encouraged. Otherwise wandering these parts during the late night hours may provide you with some unexpected entertainment.

Which brings us to the Tenderloin. It’s hard to avoid the TL as it’s close to almost everything in the downtown area. Whether native San Franciscan’s want to admit it or not, this could almost be considered the heart of this grand city. In the middle of everything and full of life, this neighborhood is home to some of the most affordable housing in the city. Many of the apartments in this section actually are bigger than a large closet and rent for less than 2k a month. This allows some of the city’s struggling artists, hip bartenders, up-and-coming chefs and others a decent sized placed to call home. As such deals are not easy to find elsewhere, it comes with a catch. You won’t find many tourist stops in this part of town, as it contains a high transient and criminal population.

At the edge of the TL is Polk Street. This lively area is home to multiple hip bars and eateries. Check out internet café Quetzal at 1234 Polk for a decent cup of coffee and healthy breakfast or lunch. Then head west, up Nob Hill to see what else this area has to offer. If you are a fan of Greek fare, be sure to stop at Myconos for the two person specials. Bring your appetite, the portions are enormous. Don’t worry though, if you are by yourself, they also offer smaller options such as Gyros, Souvlaki, and more.

One street over on Van Ness, across from the Opal Hotel is Tommy’s Joynt. Though I’d heard some good things about Tommy’s Joynt, I was a bit reluctant, since it had been featured on a food show hosted by a bleached blond spiky haired, backwards sunglasses wearing goof of whom I am distinctly not a fan. Fortunately for me this “dive” did not disappoint. The corned beef was melt in your mouth tender and rivals the best sandwiches of the East Coast deli scene. Both food and beverages are on the inexpensive side and this place had me coming back for more over the course of several days.

For me, Chinatown, the Civic Center and the areas in close proximity to the Tenderloin are of the most enjoyable for experiencing “city life”. All three are very different and offer a variety of solid dining options, bargain shopping and diverse culture. JJ

Part III will feature Fisherman’s Warf, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Check out our pictures of San Francisco by clicking here.

Related:

San Francisco, CA-Part I=No Snappy Title. Just the Intro and Union Square.

BAR NUN AT THE BODEGA - A food special.

2009-08-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

Do you think Mexican grocery products are super tasty & exciting? Really? Me, too! It’s no secret that the Bar Nun is Mexican at heart, so enjoy my attempt to explain why the mundane task of grocery shopping is better south of the border.

Many savory snacks in the US are simply sold “salted”, however in Mexico, they’re often enhanced to Lime & Salt flavor, or “Limon”. Holy guacamole, why do we not at least flavor things this way in US coastal cities, if not the fly-over (looking at you, Florida, with your Latin heritage & Key limes)? Tart and salty flavors like this are the perfect accompaniment to afternoon drinking. With a great variety of textures & combinations, I find them more interesting than their domestic counterparts. Potato chips are often sold in stores with bottles of hot sauce attached. You, the delighted consumer, are expected to squirt it straight into the bag & shake. Prepare by having plenty of napkins available! Reach in, get hot sauce all over your arm & enjoy! In Mexico, you’ll also see sweet little grandmothers strolling the beach or streets of town carrying enormous baskets filled with of bags of homemade potato chips & corn puffs in various shapes. Once purchased for about 10 pesos, the ladies offer you a squeeze of lime & a generous squirt of hot sauce. I love to have these on the beach (with micheladas from the convenience store). After being coated in hot sauce, lime juice & salt, a dunk in the ocean is imperative. You will also find savory snacks like Chile con Limon flavored microwave popcorn (please offer this in the US, Con Agra!) & microwave chicharrones (pork rinds, yes I said microwave spicy pork rinds).

The condiment aisles are a bizarro world wonderland of lime, chipotle, jalapeno, and vegetable flavored mayonnaise & habanero ketchup. An incredible selection of seasonings & sauces abound. Dairy coolers offer a delicious abundance of fresh white salty cheeses, as yellow, orange or aged cheeses are rare in Mexico. A mind boggling amount of beverage choices exist. In addition to absolutely any kind of juice, you will also find unusual fruit sodas & powdered drink mixes in flavors such as horchata (tastes like Christmas), tamarindo, & hibiscus. A personal favorite is pre-mixed michelada flavoring, just add beer!

Let’s chat about the candy selection, shall we? Many traditional candies hand made with natural ingredients will be on display in the supermercado. Coconut rolls, dried sugared fruits (kiwi is especially attractive) & wacky marshmallow & cookie creations. Many of the commercially produced chocolate items for sale in Mexico are the Italian brand Kinder in the familiar orange & white package. Often times, it has delightful hazelnut crème or sweet milk filling.

From here we stroll to the bakery department. You’ll also find stand alone bakeries, or panaderia, in most Mexican neighborhoods. Selections can range from simply stocking different varieties of pan dulce (sweet glazed rolls) to enormous donuts, muffins & cupcakes. The most tempting item I’ve seen was a Hostess-style chocolate cupcake as large as a grapefruit. You’ll encounter sweet fruit filled empanadas & tamales as well, which make amazing breakfast fare.

An on-line retailer of fine Mexican groceries and cooking tools that I typically buy when I’m there is MexGrocer.com. Visit their blog for recipes & ideas. In Seattle, I often shop for these items on Beacon Hill at the multiple tiendas or the Red Apple Market, located at 2701 Beacon Ave. South. When you’re in Mexico, or even if you have a Tienda or Mercado in your own home town, don’t hesitate to try the array of unfamiliar grocery items. It’s fairly easy to assess the contents, even if you can’t understand the package. It’s a grocery adventure! FP

San Francisco, CA-Part I=No Snappy Title. Just the Intro and Union Square.

2009-08-15T23:11:00.000-07:00

San Francisco is the only city on the West Coast even remotely reminiscent of the East. I am not saying that is good or bad, but I like things a little worn around the edges. Take a good amount of NYC, mix in a touch of DC, a smidge of Philly and throw that into a pan of California. I have a great deal of respect for this city and its people, even in the Tenderloin. Relatively small in size for such an influential metropolitan masterpiece, San Francisco is also a land of extremes. Extreme wealth and poverty, co-existing just blocks away from each other. Several of the finest restaurants in the world, only a strip club away from some of the most overpriced, bland crap fare you will ever put near your mouth. And don’t even get me started on the weather, as I can never figure this one out. It appears to have 9 weather systems going on at once in its 46.7 square miles. I am warning you now to layer.

My advice when visiting any new place is to do some homework. Understand the lay of the land, read a bit about its history, and have a basic understanding of the things you want to see and do. For San Francisco, I recommend studying a bit more than the bare minimum. Because it is so condensed and much of it is within walking distance from the downtown area, prepare by having your routes planned in advance. This will not only save time, but will also help you avoid some of the more suspect areas. Unless, of course, you like to watch the “crackhead shuffle” and smell fresh urine, there are a few blocks it’s best to stay away from. For those that are more adventurous, the previously mentioned Tenderloin will have you occasionally checking over your shoulder; however, it’s not as nearly as bad as it’s made out to be. Doing this bit of extra research will also keep you clear of some of those crap-tastic dining options that I mentioned earlier. These places have sucker, I mean tourist, written all over them. They cater to the unsuspecting and can leave you with a bad taste in your mouth for one of the finest culinary cities in the world. Listen to the locals and you will be rewarded handsomely.

Union Square is the commercial center of the city. Far from being its heart, this is likely where you will be staying, or at least within several blocks. This Square is actually more rectangular in shape and is home to many high-end retail establishments such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, Prada, Dior, Dolce & Gabana , Armani and others. If shopping is your thing and you prefer malls over adventure, this is your place.

Start one of your days off at Sears Fine Foods. This San Francisco tradition has been around since 1938 and is famous for their Swedish pancakes. However, before you order those pancakes you will wait in a deceptively long line outside the front door. The only time I have not seen a line outside Sears is when the restaurant has been closed. Fortunately the staff is very organized and the line moves quickly. Though known for the little pancakes, try the Eggs Benedict if you are a fan. You will not regret it. With a Hollandaise sauce that is more tangy than most, it is simply delicious.

For the ultimate in San Francisco tourist attractions, two major cable car lines begin on Powell. If you have never ridden one before, I recommend giving it a short ride to say you have, but don’t rely on this slow, crowded, uncomfortable and pricey form of transportation as a way to get around town. The novelty can wear off very soon. JJ

Part II will feature Chinatown, the Civic Center, and everyone’s favorite…the Tenderloin.

Check out our pictures of San Francisco by clicking here.

The worst Summer vacation ever?

2009-08-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

Poor Emma and Raoul. After booking their flight to Sydney through an online travel agent, Raoul stepped off the plane with Speedo in hand. Ready to hit the beach for some fun and sun, the two are instead "enjoying looking at the pick-up trucks, and eating the local lobster". Puzzled, eh? Unfortunately that's about all there is to do in Sydney, Nova Scotia. That's right, the online travel service booked Emma and Raoul for a trip to Nova Scotia and not Australia. Ouch! You have to give these kids credit though as they are making the best of it. To read more about the adventures of Emma and Raoul, click here for the BBC News article.

Do you have a vacation nightmare to tell? Please comment or send us an email with the details.

Jet Blue allows you to be a fancy pants jet-setter for 30 days and $599*.

2009-08-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I added a post about being laid off and using the extra time to travel. If you have yet to do it, Jet Blue just gave you some major incentive. The "All You Can Jet" pass allows you to fly unlimited on Jet Blue from September 8th through October 8th. Choose from 57 cities and more than 600 daily flights. What a deal! Of course restrictions apply; however, this appears to be a very advantageous offer for business travelers or those with a little extra time on their hands. JJ

Click here for more details on Jet Blue's All You Can Jet pass.