Travel Blog: News and Briefs
Who Knew Oklahoma Was Worth Seeing?
by Sophia Dembling | 02.11.09 | 11:15 AM ET
Photo by Sophia Dembling Poor Oklahoma got hit pretty hard by storms the other night.
I have a special interest in the state these days, since I only recently realized it was there, in a way.
I mean, have you ever had one of those dreams where you open a door in your own house and find a whole wing you never knew you had?
That’s the way I feel about Oklahoma.
It’s been sitting right there all this time and I was so busy exploring Texas, I never even gave my neighbor, just 90 minutes north, a thought.
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Yahoo! BuzzOoh Ooh, That Smell!
by David Farley | 02.10.09 | 3:31 PM ET
Periodically over the last few years, New Yorkers have had the sudden urge to eat pancakes. That’s because a mysterious maple syrup smell occasionally materialized in Manhattan, engulfing the island with a sweet and pleasant aroma and making everyone’s tummy grumble for pancakes. It also made people wonder if the smell was terrorist-related—and if the terrorists were trying to slowly turn Americans into obese eating beasts (unfortunately we’re doing that without any outside help).
Well, the mystery has been solved. It turns out, the smell was actually food-related. The culprit was a food processing plant in New Jersey that was omitting the scent of fenugreek.
It could be worse. There’s been a mysterious aroma in Tacoma (“the Aroma of Tacoma” they call it). That scent, however, had the opposite effect of the maple syrup mystery of Manhattan.
Shampoo, Where Are You?
by Alexander Basek | 02.10.09 | 11:57 AM ET
Today I want to talk to you about a very important subject: tiny bottles of shampoo. A few weeks back the Wall Street Journal ran an article noting that hotels were cutting back on some amenities in their rooms. I haven’t noticed this first-hand yet. Admittedly, I don’t have a whole lot of hair, so shampoo cutbacks have less of an effect on me. What I did notice the other week was the ol’ amenity switcheroo. You know: A hotel’s website touts Malin + Goetz goodies in their bathrooms, but when you arrive you find bottles of Palin & Petz instead.
OK, I made that brand up—think of it as the lotion equivalent of off-brand soda—but it does feel like a harbinger of cost-cutting measures we’ll be contending with in the coming year. I don’t begrudge all of them; I never ate the contents of those weird fruit baskets. But I do wish hotels would be more up front about the cutbacks.
I, for one, will not spend precious vacation energy monitoring those tiny bottles. I intend to focus on the ones in the minibar instead. In the meantime, stockpile those fancy shampoos while you still can.
Rolf Potts on the Rewards of Shoestring Travel
by Eva Holland | 02.10.09 | 11:52 AM ET
Frequent World Hum contributor Rolf Potts is the lead-off hitter in the Guardian’s new, budget-focused special issue, with a thoughtful essay about bagpipers in Havana, beer and dumplings in Prague, and how traveling on a budget led him to discover both. He writes: “Ultimately, the charm of budget travel has always been less about saving money than making the most of my time on the road. Traveling cheaply has forced me to be engaged and creative, rather than to throw money at my holidays and hope for the best. Freed from a rigid, expense-laden itinerary, I’m more likely to be spontaneous, embrace serendipity and enjoy each moment of my journey.”
Other worthy reads in the issue: Guardian deputy travel editor Tom Robbins test-drives seven major budget hotel chains in seven nights, and Carole Cadwalladr checks out one of those discount supermarket holiday packages we blogged about awhile back.
Morning Links: Bill to End Cuba Travel Ban Introduced, Facebook ‘Flashmobs’ and More
by Jim Benning | 02.10.09 | 10:27 AM ET
- Nine representatives have introduced a House bill calling for an end to the ban on travel to Cuba. !Suerte!
- A new Mandarin Oriental hotel in Beijing—not yet occupied, thankfully—burned last night.
- The economy of air travel: Demand for international flights is “in freefall.”
- A Facebook “flashmob” organized by “Crazzy Eve” hits a London train station.
- New York Magazine: “Why Sully may be the last of his kind.”
- Travel photographer Peter Guttman has crammed his home with souvenirs.
- Hotels spent more than $9 million lobbying elected officials last year.
- You wanna be a YouTube travel star? Christopher Elliott has tips.
- Travel publishers are feeling the effects of the recession. But sales of Frommer’s “Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World” remain strong. Whew.
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Humor in America: You Know You Live In ...
by Jenna Schnuer | 02.09.09 | 4:23 PM ET
Thanks to the must-see series and must-read companion book, Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America, I’ve got 50 states’ worth of ha-ha on the brain. The series’ creators offer up six genres of American comedy; some are riffs on humor birthed in lands far far away, and others are distinctly American. Until you can get home to watch them (‘cause we all know you’re reading this on company time), here’s a good guffaw or five (which are, most definitely, not part of the series). They’re “You Know You Live In ...” videos, a brand of humor that, I’m pretty sure, is all-American. I mean, seriously, can you imagine the French or the Germans laughing at themselves in such a good-natured and charming manner. (Kidding. Kidding. Ish.) Prepare to be entertained.
Who Wants to be a Secret Slumdog Millionaire?
by Eva Holland | 02.09.09 | 12:53 PM ET
Uh oh. As we’ve noted, there’s been a slow-building anti-“Slumdog Millionaire” backlash—and the latest news should bring it into full bloom. According to E! Online, there’s a new, “Slumdog”-inspired reality TV series in the works. Tentatively titled “Secret Slumdog Millionaire,” the show will feature real, live rich folks going “undercover” in Mumbai’s slums, befriending the impoverished residents, and eventually—ta-da!—revealing their true identities before handing out wads of cash. Said a show insider: “The millionaires who sign up will see real poverty in Mumbai and it is going to be very moving when they reveal their identity and offer these people help.”
Right. Because nothing inspires gratitude in the desperately poor like hidden cameras, secret millionaires slumming in their midst, and advertising revenues that they’ll see only a fraction of. I’ve been inclined to defend the movie against charges of exploitation and voyeurism thus far—and it’s worth noting that the show and the movie are not affiliated in any way—but in this case, I’d say those labels fit the bill. (Via Get the Big Picture)
Sully on ‘60 Minutes’
by Rob Verger | 02.09.09 | 11:07 AM ET
I loved watching Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and the rest of the crew interviewed on 60 Minutes last night. There’s been so much press about U.S. Airways Flight 1549, but it was still powerful to hear all of them speak about what the entire event was like from their perspectives. (You can hear the audio transcripts of the plane-to-ground communication during the emergency here.)
A few moments from the interview that stuck with me: Sully said that hitting the flock of birds sounded like “loud thumps—it felt like the airplane being pelted by heavy rain or hail. It sounded like the worst thunderstorm I’d ever heard growing up in Texas.” He said he “felt, heard and smelled the evidence of them going into the engines.”
One of the most moving quotes came when he described how he heard, through the cockpit door, the cabin crew chanting instructions to brace for impact. “I felt very comforted by that,” he said.
R.I.P. Oscar Wilde Bookshop
by Eva Holland | 02.09.09 | 9:48 AM ET
The Greenwich Village landmark will close on March 29, after 42 years in business. The Oscar Wilde Bookshop is widely believed to be America’s oldest gay and lesbian bookstore; its first owner, Craig Rodwell, was also one of the founders of New York City’s Pride Parade. A thoughtful 2005 New York Times essay about the bookshop and its history remains available online.
Morning Links: God and Jerry Springer in Italy, a Tourist in Falluja and More
by Michael Yessis | 02.09.09 | 8:33 AM ET
- Tom Miller examines how the way of life on the U.S.-Mexico border is “under siege.”
- An Italian man went to Falluja and declared, “I am a tourist.”
- The fires in Australia continue to rage. Here’s a map.
- Joe Leahy looks at Mumbai’s “experimental” music scene.
- Rick Moody looks at why Sonoran Arizona has produced its share of interesting and rather strange bands. (Via The Morning News)
- Here’s a list of the world’s most stylish hotel design details.
- Expat workers in Dubai have been abandoning their luxury cars at the airport and heading home.
- Lost your job? Tim Leffel suggests going abroad and teaching English.
- God and Jerry Springer vacation in Italy.
- Two Americans have been charged with barbecuing iguana in the Bahamas. They were busted after posting photos of their ‘cue on Facebook.
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World Hum’s Most Read: Jan. 31-Feb. 6
by World Hum | 02.06.09 | 4:19 PM ET
REUTERS Our top five Speaker’s Corner stories for the last seven days:
1) Che: The Ronald McDonald of Revolution
2) Subcontinental Homesick Blues
3) ‘Who Would Ever Want to Invite You Into Their Home?’
4) What Every Traveler Should Know About Disposable Underwear
5) Confessions of a Cross-Border Shopper
What We Loved This Week: Disco Papa, Oregon Trail and ‘Ghost Wars’
by World Hum | 02.06.09 | 4:08 PM ET
Our contributors share a favorite travel-related experience from the past seven days.
Michael Yessis
A touching and hilarious story by Karen Russell, who took her 85-year-old grandfather—Disco Papa—to a cruise ship nightclub.
Rob Verger
I loved the snow in New York City on Tuesday. I watched it falling steadily from inside all day, and then late in the afternoon I stepped outside into next-door Sakura Park and snapped this picture:
Joanna Kakissis
I’m reading “Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001” by Steve Coll. In addition to exploring foreign policy blunders (and the U.S. made many of them), the Pulitzer-Prize-winning book also offers rich portraits of Afghanistan and Pakistan, two countries I’ve always wanted to experience.
Eva Holland
Last weekend I had the chance to watch the Chinese New Year parade in Manhattan’s Chinatown. I was a little surprised to see the number of insurance companies (and fast food chains) represented, but still loved
being there in the crowd, listening to the sounds of the parade going by and occasionally having glitter and silly string rain down on me.
Valerie Conners
Discovering the original, old-school version of Oregon Trail online. This has been the ultimate find, and is serving well as a procrastination tool for my Friday afternoon. It’s a trek back to 1985, my Apple IIC computer, the days of uber-pixelated screens and what was, perhaps, my very first yen for road tripping.
Jim Benning
Another great World Hum gathering in New York City. Lolita Bar’s basement was packed last night with readers, writers and travelers tossing back drinks and talking trips. It culminated in a late dinner, replete with duck tongue and rice porridge, at Congee Village. Thanks to all who came out.
Should Eco-Tourists Really Eat the Chilean Sea Bass?
by Joanna Kakissis | 02.06.09 | 11:25 AM ET
I love to eat fish. Stewed, grilled, broiled and curried, as ceviche or in sushi—wherever I travel, I seek out the restaurants that know how to pick it fresh and prepare it well. Or used to, anyway. After recently hearing about a book, “An Unnatural History of the Sea,” and realizing that humans have essentially overfished many species to the brink of collapse, I’ve decided to use the Blue Ocean Institute’s FishPhone when I want to order seafood at a restaurant or buy it at a grocery store. For instance: I want to order snapper, a favorite, but I have no idea if it’s one of the species that’s at risk. I text the FishPhone (FISH SNAPPER) send to 30644 and within seconds, this ominous note returns: “Snapper (RED) significant environmental concerns; fisheries management is poor and populations are declining.” Eek.
Morning Links: Disney’s Small World, Travel Writers Worth Following and More
by Michael Yessis | 02.06.09 | 8:38 AM ET
- USA Today’s cover story focuses on the upside for hotel guests in a down economy.
- Video: Scenes from inside airport X-ray machines. (via Coudal)
- Inside the tunnels of Gaza.
- Brave New Traveler interviews Pauline Frommer.
- One person who isn’t getting that island dream job: Osama Bin Laden
- What humans can learn about traffic control from ants.
- The Wall Street Journal’s Book Lover included Redmond O’Hanlon and Tim Butcher among her “travel writers worth following.”
- Slideshow: Evan Osnos looks at “the economic, social, and religious life of African migrants in Guangzhou.”
- Disneyland’s Small World overhaul debuts today. The AP has video. Is the song stuck in your head yet?
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Postcards From the Real World
by Sophia Dembling | 02.05.09 | 4:20 PM ET
I like buying postcards when I travel, partly because I’m cheap, but also because they’re fun to collect and to mail to friends anytime.
But my favorite postcards, the ones I cherish and don’t send to anyone, don’t have postcard-perfect images. Watch my slideshow and see what I mean.
