Oh what a difference a year makes

This post is here: http://www.jerrigirl.com

Do It While You're Young

My best friend, Kristina, and I have been writing Do It While You're Young: The Travel Guide for the Modern Girl for about 5 years. Because you learn something new on every trip, DIWYY has been a work in progress and keeps getting better and better with the more traveling that Kristina and I do. We've also recruited a few other travel writers who contribute frequently reporting their adventures and unique stories from traveling. I wanted to invite you to DIWYY.com for more stories and advice on traveling the world. We're also on Facebook at facebook.com/DIWYY. Happy Travels friends!

Where have I been?

These days I'm moving more around the interwebs than around the world. For my latest whereabouts please visit me at my new One Girl, Her Backpack and a Passion for Travel blog.

6 random things

Eloy tagged me for 6 random things. I never have any idea what to say on these things so I'm just typing the first things that come to mind. Here are the rules according to Imelda

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on the blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1. I've been singing to animals every since I can remember. Because I didn't have animals when I was little (like 4 years old) I used to climb my neighbors' fences and sing to their dogs. They would stop, line up like my own little audience and listen. I still sing to my cats, but I don't climb my neighbors' fences anymore (or do I?).
   
2. I sleep on my back with my arms and feet crossed and a pillow on my head. Yes, on my head. Like I'm in a coffin. I've slept like this my whole life.
3. Although I know I've seen many really great movies, I can never remember which one is my favorite. Even when the movie is over and I say to myself, "This is your favorite movie Jerri. Try to remember." I will still forget. The same goes for food. Although I am pretty sure my favorite veggie is Asparagus.
4. My proudest moment ever in my life was making varsity softball as a freshman in high school and starting at third base. We ended up getting 3rd at state! We were awesome!
   
5. When I'm eating, I only eat one type of food at a time on my plate. I know this is actually bad manners, but I can't help it. It's just me. I also will not drink anything, not even water, with my meal. I also refuse to eat it any other way than it was prepared. Meaning I won't add mustard, ketchup, salt or pepper, etc.
   
6. I'm obsessed, obsessed I tell you, with hotels. I read about them constantly and want to own several one day. I even write hotel owners to see if their hotels are for sale. I chicken out when they tell me that they are though. I already have my hotels designed and named and know exactly where I want it to be.
   

My tags are:

Maggie
Karina
Kerry
Glen
Brian
Kristina

If I don't travel, am I not me?

At the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
I haven't traveled out of the country in about two years. I just haven't had the means. Well, that's not entirely true. I never really had the means to travel, but I did it anyway. I always found a way even if I didn't have the money as long as I had the time. I'm worried that my interest in traveling is going away and that I'll never get it back.


I'm worried that I'll become one of those people who tells stories of how I traveled around the world when I was in my twenties when I am in my 60s. The feeling that I'm out of touch with the world is beginning. I don't really dream about going places like I used to.
When I see pictures of travelers on beautiful water, islands, boats, adventure I say to myself, "Hmm, that looks nice. Lucky them." Then I rationlize it and say, "Well, I've already done that. Let them have their turn." Then I freak out thinking to myself, "Wait! What if they catch up to how many countries I've been to! What if they have more fun than I did!" Lastly, I think to myself, "Well, Jerri, this is the life you've chosen for yourself. It's time to be stable and begin saving up for your retirement." Really! Who am I?




Antigua, Caribbean

Finally! San Francisco and San Jose

I took a long weekend-flying out on Friday afternoon and returning Monday afternoon, Labor Day, to visit Kristina in San Jose and San Francisco. I've been dying to go to San Fran for about ten years and the opportunity just never came up until now!

I had no idea what to expect. In my head, San Francisco is home to On The Road, beatnik types like Jack Kerouac and Full House.

Friday

I arrived at the San Jose airport around eight where Kristina picked me up and took me down to Santana Row for dinner at Thea's. I had an awesome Raspberry Caiprinha and we (Kristina, me and Kristina's friend, Kelly) shared phyllo pie stuffed with spinach, feta cheese, leeks and onions and pita with hummus.


Afterward we went to the Hotel Valencia that I recognized as being in San Antonio as well. The crowd was pretty posh. The courtyard has nice running water fountains and fire pits with lounges set up around them. We were pretty tired and Saturday was going to be our big day, so we decided to go home and crash around 1 am.

Saturday

We woke up early and drove to San Francisco from San Jose. Of course, I had to stop at Google and get a picture.



The amazing thing about San Francisco that I didn't expect was the sudden temperature change. It was at least ten degrees cooler once we got there and I saw clouds hanging low above the valleys. As we approached the city, I saw rows of small houses packed in tightly along the hills. It reminded me of the townships in South Africa. Weird. I know, that this city reminded me of third world living conditions. When we arrived in San Francisco proper, the sky was clear and we could see the top of the Golden Gate bridge, which I am told, is rare.












We ate at a cute coffee/wine cafe and explored the city seeing all the touristy spots before taking our luggage to the hotel- Westin in Union Square- and getting some rest before our big night on the town.

As a sweet surprise, Kristina took me to the Bobbi Brown counter at Nordstrom's so we could get makeovers before we went out. We got dressed up and decided to leave to go around the corner from our hotel to a club called Slide. We managed to find some cute Marine boys in town for the Labor Day weekend and spent most of the night talking to them and dancing. They were about to leave to go on their third tour of Iraq and I'm not much into long distance relationships so we said our goodbyes and Kristina and I went home to our awesome Westin hotel room and beds.


Sunday

We packed up our belongings and said good bye to the beautiful city of San Francisco and drove back to San Jose. Kristina took me on a tour of the huge homes around San Jose. To be honest, while the homes were spectacularly large to be sure, I was pretty unimpressed with their lack of personality. They were big, the yards were small and the view was pretty uninspiring. I don't love San Jose.



In the afternoon, Kristina took me to some vineyards (wine trees as I like to call them) outside of San Jose. Not Napa Valley, but still quite fun! First we headed to Fortino Winery where we had some amazing Almond Champagne. Next we made our way to Sycamore Creek Vineyards where we jumped in their vineyards.

After several glasses of wine for me, not Kristina, we drove home and rested before beginning the last leg of the vacation: the continuation of our Melting Pot World Tour! Kristina and I have been to the Melting Pots in Ft. Lauderdale, Houston and now San Jose. With belly's full, we went home and watched Exiled on MTV and laughed with Kristina's mom about all the fun we had and all the silly things we said (i.e. "Horses are pretty chill as long as you eat them.")

Monday

The next morning, Kristina's mom made me a goodbye omelette and then they drove me to the San Jose airport around 11 am. It was the perfect mini-vacation!

Ft. Lauderdale Pedicab accident on New Year's Eve

Some of you who are yachties or people who work in the yachting industry know of The Boaters TV and the show's former host, Julie Perry who is also the author of The Insiders' Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess: Confessions from My Years Afloat with the Rich and Famous.

Julie and her videographer for the show, Suki, were in a hit and run on New Year's Eve on Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale while riding in a PediCab. No one has come forward yet with any leads about who the person was that hit these ladies. For more information about what happened visit Julie's MySpace blog at http://blog.myspace.com/jewelswoolf.

I love the Body Deli

Today I am thinking of new year's resolutions for getting healthier. My goals aren't lose weight, but really I just want to get healthier. Obviously, what you use on the outside of your body, is just as important as what you put into your body. When I was in St. John, USVI, I used to go to The Body Deli in Mongoose Junction to buy fun products like Cucumber Toner and Almond Milk Moisturizing formula. I'm not sure if it's still there, because their website is down and I remember that a while back they were up for sale. I hope that someone got ahold of that place and is doing well with it.





Luckily, the original Body Deli is still around and even better they ship their products! The owner even has a blog, The Cosmetic Chef! Great name, great branding, overall great marketing!

Benazir Bhutto

I gasped out loud this morning when I went to the New York Times website and learned of Benazir Bhutto's assassination. Five years ago I was fortunate enough to hear Bhutto give a speech for the Center for Building Community at my university, Abilene Christian. Since then I've been a supporter and follower of her life, but sadly today that ended.

Benazir Bhutto was a beautiful and courageous woman. I hope that the good fight for progress, social justice and democracy that she fought for her entire life will be upheld and honored in her legacy.

Airline Commercials

I've been so busy lately I haven't had much time to post. But today I ran across some awesome videos of ads made mby the airlines in the 60s. It's amazing how much the industry has advanced...







Not really an ad, but my favorite:

So many places, so little money

BFF Kristina and I are planning a vacation to China in March and it happens to fall on my birthday. I have not been in the city that I live in on my birthday in 10 years. I do this on purpose. It is going to be a tour which usually isn't my style but I thought I'd give it a try this time. Highlights of the tour include:

* Beijing
* Great Wall
* Forbidden City
* Xian
* Terracotta Warriors
* Shanghai

I haven't been out of the country in over a year (gasp!) so I'm incredibly excited. This is also the first time I've ever planned a trip more than a month away. Spontaneous? Just a little bit. Other planned trips include:

LA for the weekend this fall to visit an old friend and hopefully San Jose/San Fran and Boston. My favorite cities! Not including NYC of course. I'm afraid the days of never being in the same place for more than a month have almost come to an end. Maybe that's a good thing. I haven't decided yet or given up hope to live in all place at all times. Still waiting on some physicists to work that one out for me. Maybe 2008?

Houston Has Redeemed Itself-Sort Of

As some of you may or may not know Houston has not been one of my favorite places to be or live. Lack of a train system that causes me and all the other Houstonians to have to drive everywhere and waste gazillions of dollars in gas money has been at the top of my list for reasons to dislike Houston. "But we do have a train!" say the natives. That would be useful to me if it didn't go in only two directions-to the medical center and away from the medical center. I digress. I didn't come here today to talk about Houston's (lack of a) transportation system.

I came to talk about how two of my favorite artists are coming to Houston in November-Regina Spektor and Silverchair. Even better, they are playing at venues that are only a block away from my place. Regina Spektor will be at Warehouse Live on November 7 and Silverchair will be at Meridian on November 28.

Other bands I'm excited to see playing around these here parts are Dashboard with Augustana at Warehouse Live and Hot Hot Heat at Meridian. Yay Houston!

Bombing in the Maldives

I saw a brief posting on Yahoo today about a bombing in the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka, this morning. I didn't read the article thinking that I might see more on the news. I turned on CNN, FOX, local, but no one was covering the story. Having been obsessed with going to the Maldives (not to mention wondering for a long time how to say the name out loud), I am shocked and disturbed that what to me seems like such an idyllic island could be the target of an attack.

The explosions occurred in the capital of Male in a park outside the national museum and injured 12 tourists-2 Japanese, 2 British and 8 Chinese. Apparently, this is the first bombing ever on this island. The government has not commented on possible suspects or motives.

One of my favorite resort and spa chains and subject of my obsessions Six Senses, has a resort called Soneva Gili which is a short twenty minute boat ride from Male. I hope that the bombing will not deter visitors to the island as I am sure that tourism is a huge part of their economy.

Additionally, in researching the Maldives bombing I came across a very cool blog, The Official Private Islands Blog, which I intend to check out often now.

WFNX 101.7 Boston

Another pretty good radio station from a town I used to live in. I'm listening to them right now on iTunes and felt compelled to give them props for playing my favorite song of the moment, Silverchair "Straight Lines."

Women Traveling Solo Should Not Be an Issue

I have always wanted to own a hotel. I would play "hotel" as a child where I sat up a reservations desk and welcomed guests (grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, neighborhood kids, my cat and dog- we were animal friendly) into my luxury hotel. I have not let go of that dream yet. Today I searched Yahoo under the search terms "women hotel owners," "female hoteliers" and "female hotel owners." I had a really difficult time finding out about owners of hotels that were female. I guess it's a non-issue. To be a hotel owner, it does not matter if you are male or female. What I did find angered me. Truly, I was really upset. Instead of finding hotels owners I found articles about how hotels are beginning to "woo" female travelers. I found FAQ articles about whether women should travel if they are going to travel alone. I found articles about female only floors at hotels. I found articles all over the Internet about women traveling solo, but I could not find what I was really seeking. Now, I'm angry. Frankly, I am offended. Why?

I am upset that women need to even ask if it is OK for them to travel solo. This, just like whether hotels are owned by women or men, should be a non-issue. I am not sure why this is such a frequently asked question. Why are women afraid of traveling solo, if at all? What is so scary about traveling?

Women take risks every day that are equivalent to the risks they would take if traveling. For example, if I need to eat I go to the grocery store and buy food. Usually, I need to find some mode of transportation to get me to the store to get my food. I have several options for transportation. I can walk, catch a bus, drive a car. It is simple really. I can do all these things even though I am a women. I imagine that women in Australia, England, Japan or-I'm going out on a limb here-even China, have similar struggles. In fact, I have actually observed women in Australia, England and Japan at grocery stores (not China because I have never been) when I was traveling. Alone. Gasp! Women in those countries I assume need to eat and like most regions of the world they go to stores that sell food so they can buy the food to eat. When I go to other countries, I must eat. I go to the store, I buy food, take it home, prepare it and eat it. Just like the women in those countries do it and just like I do it back home. Shopping for food (alone) and traveling (alone) can be accomplished regardless of gender.

By writing articles and books specifically geared toward teaching women how to travel alone we are perpetuating the myth that women should be afraid to travel. I feel like we are basically telling women it's a big scary world out there, traveling is risky and if you are going to travel in such a big scary place you better be prepared because this is going to be h-a-r-d. So hard, in fact, that we have to write this 200 page book about it. We will hold your hand and guide you step-by-step into this big, bad world. Be prepared because you might run into a man. When you do accidentally encounter the male species in the world, you will have wanted to pack your hairbrush but not your hairdryer (because your hotel might already have one and you need to save space for your black high heels that match all of your black wardrobe). I am going to go all out and say "Ladies! You should travel regardless, not despite the fact that you are a woman! You are already smart enough to survive in life, therefore you are smart enough to travel." Women travelers should not be admired. They should not be called brave. Women travelers should be treated like they would be treated at home-like normal, functional, decision making adults. Although, I do believe men should open doors for women. I will not treat women any differently. In fact, I will not even have a "women only floor" at my hotel when I have one. But I may have a girls getaway spa package. Don't worry, I'll have a guys golf getaway. But only because I believe in equal opportunity profit.

Miami to St. Maarten Only $178

American Airlines has a NetSaaver deal for flights from Miami to St. Maarten for only $178! The savings come with restrictions however. You must depart Miami between Wednesday September 19 and Friday September 21 and return anytime the following Monday through Wednesday.

This is such a great deal, so I hope if you can get the time off you can take advantage of this offer!

Lucy's Here in Houston

Lucy's Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia is making its world premiere here in Houston. The exhibit runs from August 31, 2007 to April 20, 2008 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Hall of Special Exhibitions.

Best Radio Station in the World!

Every year when I go down to the Virgin Islands I get excited because I get to listen to this station! 104.3 The Buzz broadcasts from St. Thomas, USVI and covers the Virgin Islands and PR. Why don't they have stations like this in Houston?

Hurricane Warning for Caribbean

The National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane warning for the islands of St. Lucia, Dominica, Guadeloupe, and Martinique.

Hurricane Dean presently is located about 330 KM east of Martinique and is moving west at 23 mph. The center of Dean is expected to cross the Lesser Antilles early Friday morning. Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph and is currently rated a Category Two Hurricane.

Entertainment: Shirley Heights, Antigua

Sometimes it can get a little boring in the Caribbean just lounging around on the beach, drinking Pina Coladas, occasionally getting off your towel to jump into the water, eating out at restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Some ole, same ole.

Well, suppose you are in Antigua and a little bored with it all and looking to get out of your boring vacation routine. If this sounds like you, maybe you should check out Shirley Heights.

Shirley Heights on Sunday nights is the place to be in Antigua. People from all around the world gather at the peak of this lookout located in a National Park to experience magical sunsets, Antiguan food and drinks (Beware the punch! Don't say I didn't warn you!) and excellent steel bands and reggae music!

There is an $8 entrance fee, but they give you a ticket for your first drink free. In addition, the food there is excellent, so come with an empty stomach! It's usually a little slow around 5 pm but it's perfect light to see the beautiful island and yachts down below in English Harbour. As the sun sets, the crowds pick up and things get exciting! Ask your hotel or tour guide about Shirley Heights while you are in Antigua. You will have an amazing time!