Walk and Chew

Airport Travel: Five Tips for Getting Through Security Faster

2011-12-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Airport Display in New Orleans, LA

Whether it be for holiday travel or everyday business and vacation travel, anything that can make getting through the airport a little easier is always welcome. Here are five tips to help you do just that:

Schedule an earlier flight. How many people like to travel at 5 or 6 am? Not many, because it means having to get up at 2 or 3 am to get to the airport on time for your flight. Imagine how many people pass up the opportunity to spend less time waiting because they want to sleep later. Many people end up sleeping on the plane anyway, so why not take an earlier flight and catch up on your sleep as you travel. instead
Wear shoes without laces. Skip the need to untie your shoes before going through airport security and then retying them again when you get through. A pair of slip-ons or strap-ons, like clogs or Mary Janes, are the best and most comfortable way to travel. In the summer, strappy sandals are also a good option.
Place all of your electronics in the same place in your suitcase or bag. This will make it easier to fish out your electronics for placing them onto the conveyor belt at security to be scanned. In addition, if you can place all of your smaller electronics together in one clear plastic bag, when you get to the belt, all you’ll have to do is reach for the bag, empty its contents in security tub, and then you’re done. You will have eliminated the time it would have taken to hunt for each item in your suitcase separately.
Have gifts wrapped and shipped and by the seller. Retailers like Amazon offer an option for adding gift wrapping to gifted items. While this option may cost a little extra on the front end, you save yourself the time of having to have your items scanned while also avoiding the risks of having them damaged, lost, or stolen.
Leave your weapons at home. It might seem obvious, but recent reports in the news show this tip is worth sharing. It is both for your protection and the safety of those around you. When traveling with children or adults who like to play with weapons, whether for real or for play, have them leave those items at home. It stands to reason that what may appear to be a toy gun could turn out to be a real one once it’s allowed on a plane. You wouldn’t want to wind up on a plane with someone with a real gun, so be kind to your fellow passengers and take precaution.

These are just a few tips, but there are surely dozens more that I haven’t listed here. What are your favorites?

Walk the Paths of the Famous in Washington, DC

2011-12-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hollywood, California, is not the only place where some of the hottest actors and performers in the country have their names etched in stone…er, concrete. Just outside the Warner Theater in Washington, DC, is a different sort of Hollywood Walk of Fame. B.B. King, Chris Rock, Prince, and others have graced the walkway of the Warner Theater with their name. One star, Prince, did not write out his name, but I am sure it was because at the time he was probably “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince.”

There aren’t many stars on the walk, so they can be easily missed. I almost missed it myself, but I just happened to be looking down at the pavement to prepare myself for the other walk of fame that I had originally planned to write about.

Just two blocks from the Warner Theater lies the entrance to the Metro Center transit stop. Earlier that day, I had exited the metro station and crossed 12th, on my way to the Willard Hotel. As I walked, I felt something hard under my foot. I thought I had stepped on something. That something happened to be a monument to the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Along the street, there were a handful of walkway monuments honoring historic figures in American history. It’s called The Extra Mile or the Points of Light Volunteer Pathway. The first time I passed them, I didn’t have time to stop, so I promised myself that I’d come back later to take a photo.

There are little gems hidden everywhere around this marvelous city.

Downtown Holiday Market Tour

2011-12-08T19:53:00.001-05:00

A rainy day in Washington, DC

Yesterday, the rain poured in DC all day like pellets in a pond. The drops were so full and fat that after just minutes in the rain, my shoes were beginning to soak through. I was heading to meet with a friend for drink—a hot chocolate—before heading out for the evening. On the way, I happened to see the Downtown Holiday Market, which is just across the street from the Gallery Place/Chinatown metro exit. I’d never visited the market prior to yesterday, but somehow that day, in the rain, I felt drawn to take a look.

Vendors were set up along the street in a string of white tents. There were no crowds, but that was good because there was so much to see. What I found were dozens of great gifts, from lotions and hats to handmade jewelry and homemade chocolate balls.

My first stop was at the tent for the Virginia Chocolate Company. They sell chocolate truffles, butter creams, caramels, and a host of other chocolate confections in addition to jams. Chocolatier and owner Tim Douglas offered assorted chocolate gift boxes at the market yesterday. He also shared with me a bit about the company history.

He tells me it was his love of chocolate that inspired him to leave a career in law and start his own chocolate business. There was a time in his life when he was battling against cancer. That experience, he says, helped him prioritize how he wanted to spend his life. He found working with chocolate so fulfilling that, for him, starting the chocolate business was one of the best decisions he’d ever made.

I probably could have talked to Tim for hours, but knowing that I had to meet my friend, I pressed on through the rain. Catching my attention next was Beth Vosoba.

Essence de Provence

Beth Vosoba is owner and artist at Essence de Provence. Her tent carries the artisan crafts of her masterwork with lavender. Imported from France, the lavender is made into remarkable wreaths, lotions, soaps, and fragrant housewares. Her products are simply luxurious, but most importantly they are authentic. Stepping into the tent with her was like walking through the door of a boutique. And with the smell of lavender in the air, it had the feel of the Mediterranean countryside. Vin et fromage, anyone?

Further along, I met with Cheedem Ettekin. He owns Turquoise, a small jewelry shop at 2118 18^th Street, NW, in Washington, DC. It just opened recently in the Adams Morgan area, a perfect place to find one-of-a-kind items while you’re traveling.

inFused Spreads

At the end of my tour through the market, I found inFused Spreads. This company specializes in uniquely flavored preserves. They have fruit butters, jams, marmalades, and specialty items. While they offer a lot of traditional flavors, there are also a few for those who like the taste of things out of the ordinary. The orange chipotle is a good example. It has a sweet, smoky flavor that reminded me a bit of jellied barbecue sauce. It’s not a flavor I would pair with just anything, but with a meal of beef? Definitely.

When I finally arrived to meet my friend, I shared all the details of the wonderful finds I found on my unexpected trip. This is one I’ll plan to make again soon.

Holiday Model Train Show in Washington, DC

2011-12-03T08:47:00.001-05:00

Holiday model train display at Union Station

What is it about the Christmas holiday in America and model trains? During no other time of year will you find so many train displays and festivals. From Maine to California, you’ll find little miniature towns, railways, and doll communities stretched out atop tables and stands in malls, fire stations, churches, schools, and anyplace else people like to congregate.

In Washington, DC, there is the annual holidaytrain show set in a corridor of the main hall just steps away from the Amtrak terminal. It makes sense to have the train festival here, not only because of Amtrak, but also because of the history that trains represent in America. It is no accident that the development of the first transcontinental railroad in America coincides with the timeline of the Civil War. It’s fascinating to think about how at this time of unrest, at this time when the country risked splitting in two, we were working at a transportation system that we hoped would eventually bring people together.

Though not set quite so far back in time as the Civil War, the displays at Union Station reveal the scenes of small town America. Some feature traditional holiday Christmas settings and other reveal a glimpse into everyday small town life.

The best part of the festival has to be the sound of the train whistle. Listening to the train wheels glide across the track has a surprisingly soothing quality, and then the whistle comes by like a sweet accompanying song.

Model train passing through mountain country

Trains moving fast round the holiday circle

Marriott Announces Plans to Build Hotel in Haiti

2011-11-30T04:51:00.001-05:00

In the devastating aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, all that was left was destruction and the indomitable hope of the Haitian people to move their country and their people beyond the wreckage. Now, a year later, Marriott has announced its plans to help the country rebuild by erecting a new tourist hotel in Port au Prince.

Inspired by Marriot staff of Haitian descent and partnership with Digicel, Haiti’s largest telecommunications provider, the hotel marks the dawning of a new era in Haiti, one of restored commerce, normalcy of life, and rejuvenated culture. With a planned opening in 2014, the hotel will afford travelers the opportunity to experience Haiti renewed.

In a statement, Anne Sorenson, Marriott International’s president and chief operating officer had this to say:

This hotel is one more signal that Haiti is open for business. That's what we're telling the world today as part of our announcement. Of course, this is a long-term goal with tremendous needs [that] still need to be met, but we believe we can make a difference in Haiti by injecting capital, creating jobs, and developing the human talent that can help lift this country over time back to its rightful place as one of the top destinations in the Caribbean.

Visitors to the hotel can expect to find all the traditional amenities the Marriott brand of hotels is known to provide, including high-speed Internet access, premium bedding, and meeting space. For reservations at this and other Marriott properties, visit www.marriott.com.

Watch the Marriott video.

Capital City Cheesecake

2011-11-27T08:21:00.001-05:00

Just minutes from downtown Washington, DC, lies Takoma Park, Maryland. Easily accessible by metro, the downtown area features local farmers markets, restaurants, and plenty of local shopping options. A stroll from the metro to the far end of downtown leads you to Capital City Cheesecake. This coffee house and cheesecake bakery is well known in the local area for its sweets, but it is also a quaint place to start the day with a hot breakfast or have a quick lunch.

The menu includes items such as hot egg and cheese sandwiches, grilled cheeses, turkey sandwiches, and bakery favorites like cookies, sticky buns, and, of course, cheesecakes. It isn’t the sort of place most people would think of coming to for a meal, but its variety of offerings make it a surprisingly good choice for travelers looking for something quick in a clean and comfortable setting. Just blocks away full-service restaurants abound, but for simple fare without a lot of pomp, Capital City Cheesecake is a good alternative.

Nearby is the Eden Park Guest House, a bed and breakfast inn. If you are there and have the opportunity to tour the local neighborhood, stop by Capital City Cheesecake in the early evening to pick up dessert. Recommended are the cheesecake in all of its wonderful flavors and the apricot glazed pound cake. The sticky buns, while topped with a delightful sweet sticky sauce, have a doughy taste in the center. Avoid those. Its collection of other bakery treats is quite satisfying.

Capital City Cheesecake

7071 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912

Eden Park Guest House

7063 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Travel Deals

2011-11-23T09:56:00.001-05:00

Here are the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel deals that have come across my desk this week. This post will be updated as any new deals and offers become available.

*Southwest Airlines is getting into the early black Friday trend with the start of annual black Friday deals now being made available beginning the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Travelers who book a flight and a Las Vegas package for travel between November 23, 2011 and January 31, 2012 will receive 50% off their hotel stay at an MGM Resort location. Visit Southwest Airlines for more information.

*Funjet Vacations is offering a special doorbuster promotional code for their Facebook visitors and e-mail subscribers. The first 100 people to use the code on Funjet.com will receive additional savings on top of already listed prices. Visit www.funjet.com for more information.

*Fans of art and music visiting the Seattle area in early September 2012 will want to take advantage of the Black Friday discount offer from Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival. On November 25, 2011, a passcode for a service and processing fee discount will be released to those who have updated their Bumberfan profile by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, November 23, 2011. Fans must visit http://onereel.org/newsletters to participate. Holiday ticket sales to the general public will begin on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 and will include all regular service and processing fees.

*Loews Hotels is offering 20% of its best rates for bookings made on Cyber Monday. In addition, those who reserve will receive free in-room Internet access during their stay. Only hotel bookings made at www.loewshotels.com apply.

*Warwick International hotels is offering a four-day sale on bookings at its hotels. Beginning on Black Friday, hotel visitors can save up to 30% on Warwick hotels when they stay in the U.S. between now and February 2012. Qualifying hotels include those in the following locations: New York, Melrose Dallas, Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Flying Cheap: A Frontline Investigation

2011-07-20T18:11:00.001-04:00

Flying Cheap is a PBS Frontline production that analyzes the events leading up to one of the worst plane crashes in recent aviation history -- Continental 3407. Originally, I had thought I'd be watching a film about how to find low airfares, but what I learned instead was worth so much more. The show talked about how the airline industry hires out what are essentially contractors to fly many of its regional flights. These contractors are smaller airlines that will fly under a major carrier's name.

In the case of Continental Airlines, its contract carrier is Colgan Air. Colgan Air was the company flying under the Continental name before the Continental 3407 airplane crash. Because of contracts the two air carriers sign, Continental is under no liability should a plane crash or malfunction. That means that all responsiblity for the safety of an airplane's passengers rests with Colgan Air. This is not such a huge problem except for the fact that the safety standards for regional airlines (the contractors) are not the same as those for the major airlines. So, even when you book a flight for an airline like Continental, you may not actually be signing up as you expect for Continental's safety standards, experienced pilots, and mechanics. The only way to tell is to read to the fine print, which most people rarely do.

But let's say you do want to be proactive about investigating whether you are on a major carrier aircraft or a contractor aircraft. Here's what you do: When you purchase a ticket, ask the agent (if you are calling) or check the ticket (if you are buying online) to see if another carrier will be responsible for the flight. It's that simple. The airlines will not go out of their way to tell you when you're flying with someone else, so as a consumer, it is really up to you to do your own due diligence. It's a matter of safety for you if nothing else.

Flying Cheap is currently available on Netflix. You may also watch it on the PBS Frontline website at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/flyingcheap/view/?autoplay or buy the DVD for $24.99.