'Why, it's not a bear. Ho, traveler!'

'What the Black Pearl really is, is freedom'

2015-07-10T15:01:00.001-04:00

True dat! One's own craft feels like and is freedom. Freedom to explore, to roam the rivers/lakes/seas/oceans.

But one's own craft is also a potential one way to Davy Jones' locker. And I have become most aware of this since receiving my own sea kayak for my birthday.

Because I am a newbie, I will not dispense knowledge on sea kayaking, but rather narrate what it's like to be a newbie on sea kayaks.

I am not completely new to sea kayak, or kayaking in general. I have been kayaking for many years, but on few occasions, and most often in a group. The best experience I have ever had, was sea kayaking in Alaska. But... I was well-surrounded by expert kayakers and group leaders who knew exactly what they were doing and had given us a small training before we set off.

Now, 10 years later, with my own kayak, things seem... very different, and a lot less carefree. I factor both the age, and the lack of pros nearby to my new found respect for the dangers of the sea kayaking.

So here are the few things I have found out and a few (stupid) things i have done:

I thought I was well prepared when I ordered my kayak complete with PFD (Personal flotation device - ie life jacket), my paddle and my a set of nautical maps of the Long Island Sound. I was miserably wrong. Even though I took the maiden voyage of the HMS Osita Polar on calm, bay water on a beautiful day to test my new kayak, I was missing some vital part of equipment which could easily have cost me dearly if the weather had suddenly turned. Even in the bay.
Love google: it is when googling 'sea kayaking' that I found a series of really informative little videos on what to do and what not to do, and what is essential gear vs extra-gear.

Things I had on my grand day out:

A kayak
A paddle
A paddle leash
An appropriately-rated PFD
A two-way radio with NOAA channel and WX alerts
A set of changing clothes (including a fleece) in a dry bag
A First Aid kit
A 750 ml water bottle
A wetsuit (on me)
Extra suncreen
A large brim hat
Map of the Port Jefferson Harbor

The HMS Osita Polar on its maiden voyage. Note the burning emptiness of the bow, devoid of any safety equipment

The items I was missing on my first grand day out... (<bows her head in shame>), which I have now acquired.

A kayak bilge pump
A paddle float
A bilge sponge
A signal light (for overcast/foggy/late afternoon/night kayaking)
Any kind of weather station or advancing thunderstorm detection device (really important, especially on Long Island)
Books on sea kayaking, including videos (!!! Not to read while kayaking AND books do not replace lessons with a pro, or experience!!!)
Extra batteries for the two-way radio
Extra water (aside from my water bottle)
Energy bars or any food items
Experience paddling properly

The next week...

Of course, I was not going on an extended stay, since it was my first time flying solo on a new kayak... but still, the top items should never have been missing from my kayak on that day, especially given the treacherousness of the water and traffic in and out of the Port Jefferson harbor.

When I came back from the water, I had a very sore back, blisters on my thumbs, painful wrists, but a smile to my ears.

After buying two essential and brilliant books *see below for info*, I realized that I had been paddling in the wrong posture. And while the books helped me correct it, nothing can help like lessons with pros.

Lesson learned. I now plan to take some serious lessons in sea kayaking, probably on the other side of the US, where the water is notoriously rough, but where the kayaking is spectacular: the Pacific Northwest. Be warned, Seattle.

The important thing is: if you're sinking, do so with class and style!

Books:

Of bicycles and cars...

2013-07-08T22:42:00.004-04:00

I am cyclist (thanks to my sweetie). I cycle to work (thanks to my sweetie). It is only a 3.5 miles ride (one way), but I love it. When I lived in New York City, I would cycle everywhere, fearless in Manhattan's traffic. Not only is cycling good for the environment (one less small commute by car), it's good for you. I get to work energized, and fresh. And it forces me to rehydrate, something I would feel no inclination doing if I didn't exercise this way.

Now where I bike is probably more interesting: between Setauket and Stony Brook University Hospital on New York's Long Island. One of the most dangerous places to bike, with a list of casualties of both death and injuries ranging from students to citizens just trying to enjoy themselves.

Why is it so dangerous? Well, drivers on this part of Long Island have, in most cases, a well-deserved bad reputation. They are, for lack of a single good descriptive adjective, enraged balls of nerves when behind the wheel. They are not known for their patience or FairPlay on the road. And they, like a lot of people, have also the habit of phoning, or worse, texting while driving.

Okay, so boo drivers, right? Yes, to some extent, yes.

BUT: Just this morning, I rode in and noticed at least 5 traffic violations by cyclists, and NONE of them were wearing a helmet. Not one! And those weren't all students. I spotted faculty in there too! Seriously.

So if you want drivers to be better, let's remember: FairPlay, like charity, begins at home.

Sharing the road and FairPlay goes both way.

So here is my advice for cyclists (hoping some of my students read this):

- PLEASE wear a f******g helmet. A colleague of mine got 8 skull fractures from a minor fall at very low speed. She was not wearing a helmet. Had she done so, her skull would still be in one piece. Helmets save lives (no matter that absurd 'study' may claim otherwise - the study is beyond flawed, with beyond belief flawed statistics).

- Be visible: have lights (both front and rear) on your bike, and dress brightly. Or if you don't, put a reflective vest on. It is very hard for drivers to see you, especially at dusk and at night. I speak from experience as a driver! Make yourself seen. Make a fashion splash, not a road splash.

- Respect the code applicable to motorized vehicles. A red light, or a stop sign is not optional. Unlike Pirates of the Caribbean, the code here is not a suggestion. It's the law.

- Be aware and anticipate!!! And that is important. That is a lesson I got from the Harlem Auto School when i took my driving exam in New York City: be aware of your environment! You are the vehicle that travels at the lowest speed, if compared with a car. So technically, you should have more time to anticipate. It is not easy, and requires a lot of concentrations on your part (so listening to your iPod while riding is probably not a good idea - see below). But as much as you can, try not only to anticipate the car in front of you's next move, but also the car behind that car. This morning, I offered a lady to drive into the parking lot of a super market, even though I had the right of way, because I noticed that had she stopped to let me pass, the car behind her, coming in WAY too fast (and with a driver on the phone) would have rammed into her.

- Never assume that a driver has seen you, so please, my little ducklings, do slow down at every intersections, every entry or exit of parking lots, every bend where you know the cars won't be able to see you until it's too late. Give drivers a long reflex time, because they are going much faster than you are.

- Don't have your iPod on, or ear plugs when you ride. Anything that may makes you less aware of your surroundings or distract you is not advisable. Oh, I know, it is wonderful to barrel down the road with your favorite band rocking your ride... but you won't hear a car honk or getting too close.

- Just like drivers, don't f*****g text or phone while riding.

When I came back from work this evening, I found myself at the usual four-way stop, with a car. The car had arrived earlier than me, but despite its obvious right of way, the driver looked reluctant to go on account of me being on a bicycle. I indicated clearly that it was his right of way, and so the driver kicked the car into gear, with a look of delighted astonishment.

Isn't it time we started mending the relationship between cyclists and car drivers? Like every relationship, mending starts with a smile and a nice gesture. And this is one relationship we cannot afford to let fail.

It all starts with you.

My trusty steed in my sweetie's office.

Quick tip on buying plane tickets online

2013-07-07T08:08:00.001-04:00

You know that feeling you have, when you've been doing lots of online research by looking multiple times at the same ticket, you finally make the choice, and it appears more expensive than in your original search?

Yeah, it is. Your cookies are betraying you, the airline site registers your multiple search as "in high demand" or "desperate sucker" ticket, and the price rises by $50 to $100. Yippee!

Advice: when you search for the best ticket, please remember to clear your cookies each time!

There truly is a meme for everything...

Pic from: http://pikdit.com/i/save-money-on-plane-tickets/

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

2013-06-27T23:34:00.002-04:00

After the Captain Obvious intro posts on airports and airlines, here is an actual travel post.

The Western United States just begs for road trips. It is vast, uncluttered, with spectacular drives and spectacular nature. The most wonderful backyard one could ever wish for.

I have just spent the last 5 days on a road trip which took me from Salt Lake City to Seattle and back to Salt Lake, via Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Why go all the way to Seattle? Friends live there, so 'nough said. Why start from Salt Lake City? I was piggybacking on the Evolution Meetings happening there. And my sweetie was there, so 'nough said. Opportunities make travels.

Here is a map of the whole trip:

Salt Lake City - Seattle - Salt Lake City

All in all, I traveled 2196 miles. And it was worth every inch!

Grand Teton National Park

Yellowstone National Park is THE National Park that any NP enthusiast will want to visit at least once in their lifetime. And deservedly so. It is one of the most fascinating places on earth. I won't lecture about its geological features or even its history. The NPS Yellowstone page is there for that. Suffice it to say that, you think you know what to expect, and yet, when you stand there, you're completely in awe. Just like the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Teton National Park, in spite of its hilarious name to any French speaker, is your entrance to Yellowstone, should you approach from the south (recommended) as I did, and what an entry...

So here goes my two cents advice based on this experience (and my general experience with the US National Parks):

- Planning and Lodging:

Gear:

I love gear (evidently...) and I am a planner by nature. I like to be equipped for all the things I can think of, but most importantly, for all the things I cannot foresee. National Parks kill unprepared visitors every year. They are wild places, and should be approached as such. Even if you are not camping out in the Parks, there are still some gear I would highly recommend taking with you on day hikes (especially if you don't want to pay the high premium by buying the gear at the Parks themselves)

The 10 essentials:

A map: DO NOT LEAVE on a trail or on the road without one. GPS is ok, but WARNING - do not rely on electronics, especially not on your smart phone GPS apps: there is mostly no cellular reception within the National Parks, unless you are right next to a visitor center. NB: it is also a good idea to leave a copy of your itinerary with friends/family, and your schedule, so that they can rescue teams more accurately should you get lost/have an accident (Remember 127 hours? yeah... you don't want that happening to you). Someone should always be aware of where you are (more or less, no need to attach a track collar)
Water, water, water and a water bottle - you may even want to consider the katadyn water purifying bottle. Remember, you can go hungry a long time, but dehydration may kill you in a couple of days.
Swiss Army knife (preferably with a fork or spoon incorporated)
A small, but comprehensive first aid kit (I particularly like the REI one, because it has a smaller, detachable kit for the day hikes. I complement it with one small tube of muscle injury cream, a blister treatment pack, a QuickClot ® trauma pack and a suture/stapler kit) WARNING about first aid: I have those extra-items because I know how to use them. Do not add, or attempt to use if you have no experience doing so. If you are a serious hiker, you may consider taking a first aid course at the Red Cross to get familiar with life-saving actions. It is cheap and you get a first aider certificate valid for 2 years.

My comprehensive medical emergency kit for day hikes
Extra clothing - The weather both in the Tetons and Yellowstone can change dramatically quickly. Both being at high elevation, you really should always carry an extra layer, and also a pair of gloves and handwarmers.
Extra food - protein bars and dehydrated food are small items to pack that can save your life, should you get stranded. I usually leave with a small stove (when folded, the size of my handpalm - see below) to be able to heat food, no matter the surroundings or the weather.

The snow peak stove, holds in the palm of the hand and heats fast!
A headlamp or flashlight
Firestarters and weatherproof matches
Emergency shelter - Sure, you don't need a tent for day hikes, but you may get stranded. In which case, it will save you to have a very lightweight, but incredibly effective bivy bag.
Sun protection and sunglasses - The highest point (requiring no mountaineering) at Yellowstone is at 11,000 feet, and the lowest at 6,000 feet. You WILL need sun protection.

I usually like to add these few items to the above list:

A two way radio (with NOAA weather channel capability) - even though the rangers will not give you their frequencies, you may catch the chatter of other hikers. In an emergency, you can contact nearby hikers, who can then seek help. I find this an essential piece of gear.
Rehydrating tablets (NUUN are the best, as they have all the electrolytes you need without the artificial sweeteners found in other products)
Extra batteries (for the radio)
A small stove with small gas canister (mine is this one)
A tiny roll of duct tape

Bear protection: bear spray and bear-proof bags. On day hikes, you do not want to burden yourself with the heavy bear can, so I usually pack my food in these, and sometimes also take this metal mesh bag along.

You MUST have your bear spray within easy reach! So don't pack it in your backpack. Most sprays come with a belt pouch. Use it. And remember not to use the spray, unless the bear is charging you (sounds obvious... But sometimes, fear makes us do silly things).

The contents of my day hike backpack, including in the botton compartment of the backpack, my SLR camera with 2 additional lenses. The weight: about 9 lbs.

Driving Maps

TO GOOGLE MAPS! Google maps is a marvelous resource for any road trips, as it calculates, with great accuracy, not just the best routes, but also how much time each drive will take you. So you can plan your trip with confidence, according to your driving fortitude.

Recommended road from Salt Lake City or south to the Tetons and Yellowstone: though it takes a little more time than the 84/89 route, take the Idaho Falls road. It crosses the mountains at Teton pass, and the view is breathtaking. Map of that specific route here
If you are traveling between mid-May and mid-June, do check the road conditions, as the pass may still be snowed in. You can check the road conditions here.

WARNING: Do print a copy of your google maps. Cell reception in the West is spotty at best, and if you are using your smartphone Google Maps app, you may get disconnected and miss your turn. So my advice: have a look at your map before you leave, to have the main crossroads in your mind, and print a copy for when the cell reception vanishes.

Park Maps

Download the map of the parks ahead of time here.

Know your time limit for hikes, and ask the front desk of the visitor centers for the day hikes pamphlet.

ASK ASK ASK: the rangers are extremely knowledgeable and can direct you to a hike that will fit your very desires (not crowded, 4 hours, less bears etc...)

See more details about maps below under "Camping"

Lodging

Stay in the park if possible: whether you are camping or 'lodging' ( the parks has many lodges maintained by the group Xanterra), you will need to reserve well ahead of your visit, but don't get discouraged by party poopers or know-it-alls who will tell you the contrary: it does not require MONTHS or YEARS of advance booking. In fact, I got both a backcountry permit and a lodge room within 3 weeks of my stay there.

The main Yellowstone lodge (The Old Faithful Lodge) will indeed be booked for months, perhaps year in advance.
Plenty of other lodges are available around, and while Yellowstone lodges tend to fill up rapidly, there are always cancellations. So phone ahead of your travel, even if the web reservation page shows full booking.
If all is full in the park, the Tetons lodges are a great fallback, as they tend to be less overbooked (see below).

Little know fact: you can check in and get permits for Yellowstone at Grand Teton National Park, the smaller, yet still enjoyed by many, National Park about 40 miles south of the South entrance of Yellowstone. It's usually less crowded, and you get a head start in Yellowstone, avoiding queueing at the Old Faithful ranger station.

The Grand Teton visitor center you can get your permits for Yellowstone at is:

- The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center

The other visitor centers (Jenny Lake, Colber Bay, are not processing permits)

The Lodge where you are most likely to find a room in relative short notice at Yellowstone are:

- The Headwaters Lodge and Cabins (technically a Grand Teton Lodge, but within 2 miles of Yellowstone's south entrance). I stayed there last Saturday. It was perfect for my needs, between the Tetons and Yellowstone. Very quiet. Had a nice restaurant opened until 9.30pm, and more importantly, serves breakfast as early as 6.30am. Which you will need to move on fast to Yellowstone.

Headwaters lodge at 6am.

- The Signal Mountain Lodge (also in the Tetons). Did not stay there, but on a busy week-end, they indicated that there were not full. Plenty of cabins around.

As a rule of thumb, the lodges in the outermost edges of the park will be the most available. So look there first.

Camping:

Make sure to download the backcountry hiking planners from both the Tetons and Yellowstone.
Tetons backcountry planner
Yellowstone backcountry planner

You WILL need a permit, so make sure you call the ranger stations ahead of time (they are limited and go fast, so plan ahead):
Tetons: http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/bcres.htm
Yellowstone: http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountryhiking.htm

- Driving
A few things to remember about the great West, especially the states of Utah, Wyoming, Montana and northern Idaho: they are not very populated. It's their charm, but also can be daunting.

If you are renting a car, make sure that they don't give you a FIAT or a Smart. You need a sturdy steed. I was lucky enough to arrive late in SLT airport, and benefit from a shortage of economy car. I was upgraded to... a Ford Mustang. Now, you may not always be that lucky, but smiling a lot to the car rental employee (Budget, in this case) really did help.
Never pass an opportunity to refuel, even if you are almost full. You truly never know when the next gas station will be.
On par with the above, never miss an opportunity to use the restrooms when you refuel.
Plan quick, light meals during the drive (to avoid wasting time) and a nice sit-down meal at the end of your day drive.
Check the car's spare tire before you leave the rental place
Check the car's windshield water spray level *with all the bugs splattering on your windshield, you will use that a lot*
Invest in a cell phone car charger kit (cheap), and an auxiliary sound cable to plug in your iPod or phone into your car's sound system (most rentals have that) for that roadtrip mix playlist you have prepared. :) Music can be relaxing, or reviving when needed on a long drive. [I personally loved barreling across the Snoqualmie Pass in my little Mustang, with the Ride of the Valkyries blaring - Bwahahahahaha!]

Driving the great open - but empty - space of Wyoming

- At the Parks

Facilities

Both Tetons and Yellowstone have exceptionally good facilities, including several grocery stores, gas stations and medical facilities within the boundaries of the park. So if you forgot some gear, or don't have food, you will be able to buy some in the park. But be aware that prices are slightly higher there for gas, and way up for food.

The park lodges also have restaurants, ranging from very chic to pub food. In general, though, they are more expensive than the same standard restaurants outside of the park. Premium is everything, I guess. Most food places in the NPs are catered by Xanterra.

Avoiding the crowd at Yellowstone National Park

Crowds can be unpleasant. But the good news is that, for the most part, the crowds will stick to the focus points of Yellowstone: the Old Faithful, the painter's pot, the Mammoth Hot Springs.

As soon as you hit the trails, the crowds will thin out to oblivion.

My tips:
Yellowstone is opened 24 hours during the summer months
- Get up at 6am and get ready
- Have breakfast from 6.30 to 7am.
- Travel to Old Faithful right away (which mean, from the South Entrance, you will get there around 8am). Don't get distracted by the breathtaking landscape. You will have time later to admire.

Yellowstone's South Entrance at 7am

- Do all the Old Faithful hikes from 8 to 10/11am. If you do so, you will see one eruption from the observation vintage point, and by the time you come back down, on level with the geyser's mouth. The crowd starts coming around 10.30am. So by the time you are waiting for the level eruption of Old Faithful, you will have serious company. But you will have hiked and seen the caldera earlier almost on your own.

Old Faithful at 8am... Observe the lack of crowd!

- Get the hell out of the area by 11am. By then, the parking lots will have filled up, and Old Faithful will look like an airport on Thanksgiving.
- 11am to whenever: go for a more serious hike on the many trails of the Park. Most day-tourist will stick to the great centers, and Old Faithful. The rest of the park is yours.

Old Faithful erupts

Brave Mustang carried me for 2196 miles. :)

Airlines and Airports - Tips for travelers without Frequent Flyer miles

2013-06-27T09:21:00.001-04:00

For those of you who do travel a fair bit, but are not on a miles treadmill or not enrolled in frequent flyers, here are some tips I have gathered from my sweetie (who has yet to achieve elite status):

- Find someone with Frequent Flyer miles, and attach yourself to them like a saprophyte fungus. Being in the gravitational pull of a frequent flyer is awesome, as you get the privileges without doing the miles treadmill thing... ask my sweetie.

But seriously...

- Prep: most airlines app will allow you to check in and get an electronic boarding pass without signing up to their program. Highly recommended for flights within the US.

For international flights (that goes for all travelers) especially to African, Middle Eastern and South American destinations, always have a printed copy of your confirmed ticket: you probably will need it to get inside the airport.

- At the airline counter: SMILE SMILE SMILE. And, no, not the creepy Wednesday Addams smile... But the smile that you would use to woo! Flutter your eyelashes, or whatever: be charming (yes, gentlemen, you too). It goes a long long way. Remember that airlines employees are human beings and that, the shortcomings of their company is really not their personal responsibility. So taking out your frustration on those poor people won't help you one bit. You will often find that most are actually very sympathetic to your plight as a passenger. If you keep smiling.

- Seat choosing: choose your seat wisely. Remember that the back seats, though close to the restrooms, are ... well close to the restrooms and cannot recline. Also, on international flights, you'll be the last to be served your meal, and they probably will have run out of that amazing salmon en croute <sarcasm>, leaving you with the overboiled pasta option.

Most aircraft are now using the 3 - 3 seat configuration (both Airbus and Boeing). What that means: sucks to be you on a long haul if you are by the window. It means you will have to jump over or displace two people to get up. The aisle seat is the preferred option of the savvy traveler. And you also get to deplane faster.

Generally speaking, row 15-20 are the preferred seats in regular economy. I would refer you to the wonderful Oatmeal illustration of plane layouts.

- Security: your line may be longer. use that extra time. Be prepared. That does not mean you should come to the airport in a bikini (though frankly I don't see why not). But you will save yourself a lot of grief by sorting yourself out in prep for the scanner. Keys and change should be in your carry-on bag. You really should have nothing in your pockets, even paper, because it will be picked up by the new scanner in airports, and will result in your being patted down and delay you (not to mention the tickling). If you have a belt with a heavy buckle, take it off while in the line and slip it in your jacket or your bag. Get your laptop out. Etc. You know all this. Just use your extra waiting time wisely. But, most importantly: SMILE SMILE SMILE. Because of the most abused personnel at airports, the TSA agents are at the top. Mind you, they have had a history of abusing passengers. But remember: they are not paid to think, they are paid to follow orders, and if they decide to check your 90 years old grandmother for incendiary devices, you can't prevent them to do so (speaking from personal experience, here). Being courteous will help. A LOT. And if you feel you are abused, report it directly to the always nearby supervisor. They are responsive.

Also, and this counts for all travelers, elite or not, check out items not allow on-board ahead of time depending on your airline and place of boarding. They do vary and you don't want bad surprise (ie at the Brussels Airport, security helpfully warns you that you should not put your runny cheeses in your carry-on... Oh yes, they go there... See pic)

- On Board: same advice goes with dealing with stewards and stewardesses. Imagine being in their shoes for 5 mins.

A good carry-on bag, if you can avoid having to carry your suitcase with you, is a carry-on that will fit under the seat in front if you. This will prevent you having to vie for overhead bin space or facing having your bag forcefully checked-in.

Airlines and Airports - Tips for travelers with Frequent Flyer miles

2013-06-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

Airports, and most specifically airlines counters are my personal pet-peeve. But over the years, strategies have taken over disgruntlement... So here are my two cents about how to deal with airlines, frequent flyer edition (non-frequent flyer coming next):

- Miles programs: yup, the frequent flyer-bitch miles. Unless you're planning on getting a G5 personal jet soon, frequent flyer miles are actually truly rewarding. Being a so-called 'elite' (ha ha) traveler cuts me an average of 40 mins at the airport:

- I get the app to deliver my boarding pass right into my iPhone. No need to print my boarding pass at home or at work. Doesn't not sound like such a time waster, but it actually is. Any little things count, and that is one less thing to do in prep for your trip.

- You get to jump the line at the luggage drop-off and you don't get charged a fee for the first two pieces of luggage.

- You get a fast lane at security.

- You board the plane earlier. Though this does not really save time, it saves a lot of grief, as you get first pick of luggage storage in the overhead bins. Nowadays with airlines charging for every piece of checked-in luggage, more and more travelers just take their suitcases on board, with the result of a complete clusterf**k as everyone vies for space in the overhead bins.

- You should be getting better seats (economy plus) with more leg room and electrical plugs.

Many have asked me whether there really was a benefit to frequent flyer miles (I am looking at you, Mum!), and why bother trying to retain elite status (ie be on on the miles treadmill). It is. And it costs you nothing to sign up. Make your choice of airlines based on your most frequent destination and comfort levels (but the first is most important, otherwise you won't get enough miles).

Coda: The American airlines industry is getting worse and worse in terms of services and charging the travelers fees left and right. Frequent flyer programs are also taking a hit in this race to the bottom. The major airlines, like United, are now restricting their frequent flyer programs more and more, making you spend more to achieve elite status. So, yes, we are hating on you Jeff Smizek (among others).

Another travel blog

2013-06-25T11:48:00.002-04:00

Another travel blog on the interwebs...Lolcatz are not going to be amused.
Need shared tips, advice and recommendations about places? You've landed on the right blog. The many reasons why I was compelled to start this blog - laziness, need to kill time waiting in line at the airport security, or just pure procrastination - are not interesting. But it is truly my hope that by writing down tips and facts, they will be of some use. This is meant as a non-judgmental accounts of events that warrant warning or note (good or bad). So you won't find sweeping statements such as 'I am hating on you, country/city/place X' here, nor will you find long, lyrical waxing 'my life was changed when I suddenly saw that sad clown coming out of the coliseum on one of those unique Roman sunset' prose.

I am not a writer, so expect bullet points.

NB: The title of this blog is taken from 'Eye of the Storm' (Dangerous Space) written by author Kelley Eskridge, who teaches us, through exquisite writing, that places are not just those we travel to physically. An instant classic and an absolute must read. So fire up your kindle and understand why this quote is critical in one's journey.