Backpacking in the Caribbean Series

When I was in college I had a huge world map covering a wall in my apartment and, of course, it had thumbtacks in all the places I'd been. Which at the time was like four including my hometown! I was explaining to a friend who was visiting my apartment how I wanted to go everywhere. Then as I was looking at the map I decided I wanted to go everywhere but the Caribbean. I had no plans or interest on ever visiting the islands. Well, it's funny how things in life workout isn't it? I've lived and worked in the Caribbean for the past three years and I love it!

The Caribbean is the playground for the rich and those who wish they were rich. I've had a healthy disdain for people in the past who take cruises in the Caribbean because I always felt that it wasn't truly traveling. I've changed my mind...I'm no longer a travel snob. Traveling is traveling no matter how you do it.

Because the islands can be difficult to get to and expensive once you do get there, most backpackers, I assume, don't have the means and resources to experience. Over my next few blogs I'm going to talk about some resourceful ways to travel, work and live in the Caribbean. It can be done, I know because I have done it myself.

If you are like I was once-one who truly could find no redeeming quality in going to the Caribbean-I'll explain to you how this region of the world has just as much history, art, culture, and adventure as any other "more desirable" place in the world if not better. Every single island has a different vibe and I promise you can find a place of your own. Unless, that is, that you hate warm weather year round, beautiful beaches, the ocean, pina colodas and friendly people. Well, then I'd have to say this blog is not for you. Maybe you should check out...well, I just googled "I hate the caribbean" and there weren't any listings. Maybe you could start your own blog.

Edible Adventures

Last night I was watching the Travel Channel-seriously what else would I be watching?-and Edible Adventures came on before Bourdain. So, I'm interested because it's about Costa Rica and I wanted to see if they were going to the Nicoya Pennisula. Maybe I missed that part, but the host, Stephen Brooks, was super entertaining and interesting. I loved watching how to make goat cheese and the whole process of harvesting coffee beans and how he made chocolate cake starting with cacao beans.

The show was so interesting. I'm sure it's coming on again sometime on the Travel Channel. You can also check out the website for the company Kopali Organics co-founded by Brooks.

Traveling Solo: Just Go

I'm a huge fan of traveling by myself. Sometimes I think maybe there is something wrong with me because of it. I worry that it makes me anti-social or perhaps a control freak-I have to do it my way or no way...OK. So some of this is true. I want to be able to control where and when I go somewhere. If I want to make up my mind and leave within 30 minutes to drive across the country I can. I know that's extreme, but I really enjoy that freedom.

Maybe I'm afraid of commitment...that's a whole other issue! You can talk to my ex-boyfriends about that! I like to call it independent. I hear of some women who have never traveled alone and it makes me sad. They don't know what they are missing. I don't know many guys who have this same issue.

Part of the allure of traveling is discovery...not only discovering new places, but also discovering yourself. That's difficult to do when you're busy trying to accomodate the wants of other people you're traveling with as well. I have made some of the very best friends by deciding to go it alone on trips by myself. Meeting people in backpackers seems to be the way to go. You can always travel with a new companion and then when you want to go your separate ways, no one's feelings are hurt. It's understood that this is just the way it is. I'm starting to see a habit emerge here.

Booking Your Flight

Finding a flight: Booking a flight is the most crucial part of your trip. If you can’t get there, how are you going to have any fun?

You can do this in one of two ways: through a travel agency or on your own. If you decide on the latter, read on.

• If possible, avoid traveling on “peak days” which tend to be more crowded and more expensive due to demand. Instead, opt for the lesser traveled days like Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

• More connections equal a lower price. If you don’t mind, it can save you a couple of hundred dollars.

• Check travel comparison sites like Travelocity.com, Orbitz.com, Yahoo! Travel, and Hotwire.com which can check several airlines at once for the lowest fare.

• Note that most airfare is non-refundable unless clearly mentioned (more expensive tickets usually have flexibility).

Once you have decided on a flight, most airlines will let you select a seat. Most airlines have three seats in each section so your options are an aisle, middle, or a window seat. Aisles and windows both have their advantages and disadvantages: window seats can get cold due to the location but allow for one to sleep against the plane’s window pane if desired; aisles have easy in and out access but then you have to deal with the beverage carts coming down the aisle. There are also some other seats which are not as well known:

Exit-row seats: Located on all aircrafts, these rows have additional space in between the seat in from of them due to their purpose as an escape route. This creates a great amount of leg room for taller girls! Please note, that you must be 16 years of age or older to sit here per FAA regulations.

Bulk-head seats: These seats are the ones that have a wall in front of them versus another row of seats. The advantage to this is that you can be confident that no one will recline their seat as you are enjoying your meal and you have a little more room for your feet. The downside is that all your carry-ons must be stowed in the overhead compartment during take-off and landing per FAA regulations. You are usually able to hold a small purse or bag in your lap.

Business and First Class: If you have the extra money, Business and First Class can be a great addition to your trip. With amenities such as lounge access at the airport, seats that recline to a bed, and complete five-course meal service, you will hardily notice a ten hour flight! Check the airline’s website for information on specific features.

Premium Economy: A relatively new development, premium economy can be an economical way to travel in style. Typically, you will enjoy premium check-in and boarding and have a seat that is a little larger and roomier than that of coach. If you have the extra money, it can make getting there a little more enjoyable.

In the very back rows: For most travelers, the back of the plane is the least desirable location. It can be noisy because you’re right on top of the jets, you’re first on when boarding, but last off once you arrive. You’re also near the gallery where the flight crew prepares your meals. For the savvy traveler, it’s the next best thing, if you play your cards right, to First Class!

Working Your Way Around The World

Other resourceful ideas for making money and working your way around the world.
1. Fruit picking in New Zealand
2. Scuba instructor in Australia
3. Bartending at an Irish Pub in Europe
4. Working on a private or charter yacht in the Mediterranean or Caribbean
5. Building websites for local companies anywhere in the world
6. Managing a hostel anywhere
7. Au Pair in Switzerland
8. Travel writing for magazine or travel guides like Lonely Planet
9. If you play an instrument play for money on the street or in parks
10. Writing and publishing local guidebooks or newspapers, make money through ads.
11. Or start your own business…(Remember: Think Globally, Act Locally!)

My plan is to start a Tex-Mex restaurant in J-Bay. A little piece of home in paradise! OK, I'm not really planning this. You can steal this idea if you want!

Your First International Trip: Deciding Where To Go

There are many factors to consider in the process that may encourage or discourage your final destination decision. Here are some factors to consider:

Language: Are you comfortable being in a place where you don’t speak the language? Or do you want somewhere where English is predominant?

Distance: Take into consideration the actual flight time so you don’t spend a majority of your trip at the airport (although airports can be quite fun). Also, if you cross the International Date Line, you will lose a day when you travel there from North America.

Cost: Take into account world currencies so you know approximately how much you would be spending. In some cases, you will be paying more for things whereas in some places you can live like a king on just dollars a day.

Type of facilities: Do you want to stay in an American-style hotel or assimilate into the local culture by staying in a family-owned establishment? Typically, you’ll find the high-rises in metropolitan areas and the smaller, quaint places in the more remote locations.

Type of tours: Is your trip going to be all about exploration or just relaxing at the beach? If you are going for the more active route, be sure that there are tours and activities to satisfy your needs.

Climate: Check the season (remember that anything in the Southern hemisphere will be opposite North America’s seasons) and what the highs and lows are for that season. Also, make a note of when the wet and dry seasons are you can avoid monsoon-like conditions if that’s not your cup of tea.

Safety: Be sure to check with the government and consulates to determine the safety and health of the country you are interested in visiting. You may have to get some vaccinations or take preventive medications, so be sure you are okay with that before you beginning planning.

From JFK to Chicago for $36

Because this is too good to pass up! JetBlue's website

NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2006 -- JetBlue Airways today is pleased to announce it will begin nonstop service to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LA/Long Beach Airport effective January 4, 2007. Chicago will be the low-fare, low-cost airline's 50th destination, and the first new destination the low-fare carrier will launch in 2007.

JetBlue is the only airline to offer 36 channels of free DIRECTV programming on every flight to/from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. To celebrate this with our customers, JetBlue will offer a special $36 fare on its new flights between Chicago/O'Hare and New York/JFK and LA/Long Beach. This special fare will only be available for the next 36 hours.

Just in case customers miss JetBlue's 36-hour, $36 fare, the low-fare carrier continues the celebration with introductory ``O'Hare Fares'' to New York/JFK and LA/Long Beach from Chicago/O'Hare. JetBlue's ``O'Hare Fares'' to New York/JFK will start at $59 each way. Regular fares will range between $89 and $249 each way. JetBlue's ``O'Hare Fares'' to LA/Long Beach will start at $89 each way, with regular fares ranging between $129 and $349 each way. On JetBlue, all fares are one-way, and a Saturday night stay is never required.

006-Costa Rica, What is Eco-Tourism to you?

Episode #6

(28 mins) One Girl, Her Backpack and a Passion for Travel

Costa Rica and Eco-Tourism

004-Boston, New Orleans, Miami, Houston

Episode #4

(25 mins) One Girl, Her Backpack and a Passion for Travel

I'm discussing my drive from Boston down the coast to Miami, then my drive from Miami to Houston. Also, highlighting a few interesting magazine articles.

One Girl in Costa Rica

Finally, I'm going to Costa Rica! I'm leaving on Oct 30 and coming back November 11. Well, I've had these frequent flyer miles that I need to use forever before they expire and I have decided to redeem them for a flight to Costa Rica on American Airlines. My flight in total is going to be $30! Then I'm taking the bus from San Jose to the Nicoya Penisula where I'll be staying at Casa Zen. The goals for this trip are: getting better at my surfing, yoga, and travel research! How exciting!

I found Casa Zen after reading aBudget Travel Magazine article about secret hotels in Costa Rica and thought that this place sounds just like me!

My criteria for finding a place to stay in Costa Rica were:

• Surfing is a priority
• Yoga is a priority
• Casual, fun atmosphere important; party scene OK, but not like Ft. Lauderdale Spring Break
• Hammocks are preferred
• Safety is the utmost importance
• The hotel doesn’t have to be on the beach but I must be able to walk there in about 2 minutes!
• Cheap! (and here’s where I ran into my problem-it’s hard to find a place with all the above requirements that is affordable. When I say affordable I mean hostel prices!)

I'll be covering my pre-departure in my podcast and then when I get back look forward to more information about Costa Rica and the backpacking scene!

003-Boston, Argentina and Antartica

Episode #3 (28 mins) One Girl, Her Backpack and a Passion for Travel

This podcast I'm discussing my last few months in Boston, my future trip to Antarctica, and my friends tour company in Argentina.

001-One Girl, Her Backpack and a Passion for Travel

Episode #1 (12 mins)
One girl, her backpack and a passion for travel is a brief introduction to the podcast and the host. The podcast will discuss travel for those who want to live the lifestyle of a traveler and not a tourist.

Traveling to Caribbean? You need your passport now

If you're a US citizen and have been traveling in the Caribbean just by using your birth certificate, you’re about to have to stop!

According to the US State Department website: On January 8, 2007, U.S. citizens traveling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid U.S. passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.

It is anticipated that on January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes may permit a later deadline, both the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to put all requirements in place by the original deadline. Advance notice will be provided to enable the public meet the land/sea border requirement.

So what happens if you don’t have your passport and are trying to get back into the US?

Under the law, the new documentation requirements may be waived under certain circumstances. These exceptions include individual cases of unforeseen emergency and individual cases based on “humanitarian or national interest reasons.” In addition, the State Department has processes to assist U.S. citizens overseas to obtain emergency travel documentation for those with lost or stolen passports.

For the general public, people who apply for entry but do not have appropriate documentation will be referred for secondary screening at the port. In secondary, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will evaluate any evidence of citizenship or identity the individual may have and will verify all information against available databases. However, to prevent delay at the ports of entry, we would encourage all U.S. citizens to obtain the appropriate documents before they travel.

Via Via Travel

Well, finally, after planning this for three years I have opened my own travel business, Via Via Travel. Right now, the only travel products I'm offering are cruises and hotels in the Caribbean and Central and South America. I also have access to vacation villas in the Caribbean presently. While the business is absolutely going to be organic and ever growing, I plan on branching out into eco-travel, adventure travel, and luxury travel products. And ambitiously, I would like to have my own Via Via Travel luggage line and travel products. Eventually, I'd like to offer tours and packages around the world especially in South Africa-my favorite country in the world. Further services that we presently offer-exclusive hotel discounts, cruise promotions, and reduced rates on car rentals and flight bookings.

Also, look for my friend Kristina and my travel e-book coming out in late November. The book will be available on Via Via travel as well as Kristina's site, Frugal And Fabulous.

I'd love to hear from my readers on what you think about my new website as well as any other questions, comments and concerns.

Letter to Midland, Texas

Dear Midland,

For the most part you are a physically unattractive city and slightly boring. Furthermore, you are the hometown of George W. Bush and Laura Bush (but don't worry I won't hold that against you). However, I have found that you have one redeeming quality: you have pretty good radio stations. Specifically, 95X plays decent music. I just thought I would let you know.

Sincerely,

Jerri
A visitor to Midland, TX

005-Traveling Around the World

Episode #5 (30 mins) One Girl, Her Backpack and a Passion for Travel

I'm talking about how I got started traveling and where it has taken me over the past three years. I'm discussing a little about how I got started working on yachts and answering some listener's questions.

Travel music for your iPod

As long as I have been traveling I've taken music along with me. When we would go on roadtrips when I was young my parents played Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson. I still think of those trips when I hear The Gambler. While I still love Kenny and Willie, I've progressed a little in my musical tastes. The first time I traveled in Europe I listened to a lot of David Gray, Fuel, U2 and Daft Punk. In Barcelona, I listened to John Mayer everyday on the train into the city. To keep awake when I was standing watch while yachting, I listened to Green Day. The music I chose depends on my mood, but here's a sample of some songs I like to listen to when I'm traveling.

Pimpin All Over the World- Ludacris
Good Riddance Time of Your Life- Green Day
A Brokedown Melody -Jack Johnson
One Road to Freedom- Ben Harper
3x5- John Mayer
Wide Open Space- Dixie Chicks
Learning to Fly- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Wheels- Cake
Move Along- The All-American Rejects
All These Things I Have Done- The Killers
The Middle-Jimmy Eat World
Pump It-Black Eyed Peas
Breakaway- Kelly Clarkson
What You Waiting For- Gwen Stefani
God Is a DJ-Pink
Something More- Sugarland
When You Come Back Down-Nickel Creek
Somewhere Over the Rainbow-Isreal Kamakawiwo’ole
Tu Vuo Fa L‘Americano-Renato Carosone
Babylon-David Gray
G.E.A.-Xavier Rudd
Turn-Travis
The Fallen-Franz Ferdinand

Another Amazing Girl Traveling the World

I just read a really inspiring article entitled, "How To Sail Around The World and Surf" about 26 year old Liz Clark in National Geographic Adventure. The article mentions her blog Swell Voyage where she has documented her adventure over the last 5 months. Liz writes

The voyage of Swell is a return to the essence of surf exploration. It is the pure enjoyment of elemental pleasures and absolute indulgence in the enlightenment of travel. It is a journey to promote respect for our natural environment, especially the ocean, to appreciate cultural differences, to challenge myself, and to inspire others to face their fears and live out their dreams.

The article is in the print magazine of National Geographic Adventure along with 10 other inspiring people living their dream adventure. If you can't do it on your own for whatever reason, check their stories out and live vicariously.

West Texas Turtle

This turtle was thinking pretty hard about crossing the road. I tried to convince him not to. I waited to see if he had made up his mind but it was taking way too long, so I just decided to leave him. My life has been reduced to talking to turtles on the side of the road.

Baz Buz, South Africa

While in South Africa, just about every backpacker that I met along the way was traveling by Baz Bus. All you need is a one way ticket to some specific destination (say you're going from Cape Town to Johannesburg). With that ticket you can take the bus and hope on and off wherever you want along that route. I haven't found any other form of transportation anywhere as perfect for backpackers and independent travelers like Baz Bus. You'll meet plenty of friends along the way and have the trip of a lifetime.

Travel Tips

I was thinking today about what I've learned while traveling. Below is a list of things to keep in mind when traveling.

General Travel Tips:

•Make two sets of color copies of your passport, airline tickets, and the front and back sides of your credit cards. Leave one copy with a friend or family member and keep one copy separate from your actual passport and documents. If anything is lost or stolen, you will have the numbers to cancel your credit cards and proof of your airline tickets.

•In our technology-based day in age, you can also scan in the above documents and email them to yourself (as long as you use a web-based email account). You will then be able to access then without using a phone!

•If your passport is stolen or lost, immediately report it to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. They can assist you in getting a new one. It is also recommended to carry extra passport-sized photos of yourself to expedite the process.

•Be sure to take advantage of airline frequent flier clubs. Not only can you earn free trips but you also are less likely to get bumped from a flight if you are a member of the airline’s club.

•If you are going to be traveling for a decent amount of time and plan on making calls home regularly, consider renting a cell phone. You can have the freedom to make local calls and some plans even allow free incoming calls.

•If you have a detailed itinerary, let friends and family know where you are going to be at all times. You know where you are, but they don’t and that can be stressful.

•If you trust the hotel you are staying at, keep your valuable in the safe in the front office.

•Never put your luggage or any other valuables in the trunk of your car, especially if it is a rental car. Sometimes car rental companies actually burglarize their own cars making more money off what they steal and the insurance to cover the damages, than actually renting the car to you.

•If you are flying in or to notoriously corrupt country, ask the airline you are flying with to wrap your luggage in plastic wrap. No one is getting into your luggage to steal anything without a lot of hassle.

004-I'm living out of my car now!

Podcast #4

Podcast #4

Lost on the Tokyo Subway (again)

I know I have this posted, but here it is again.

Lost on the Tokyo Subway

Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium

Last weekend, I had the chance to visit my best friend, Rose, in Atlanta. I absolutely love this city and wish I could have stayed there longer than just a few days. To me it seems like a young professional's dream city. Plenty of trendy bars, places to shop and lots of newly built condos-and of course IKEA!

Rose has a membership to the newly opened Georgia Aquarium and I've been dying to check it out. So we went on a Saturday afternoon to the world's largest aquarium which is not really the best time to go if you can't stand crowds or kids. I don't care and I didn't really have a choice anyway. The layout was fantastic with different exhibits across the building. I loved the beluga whale tank, but was a little disappointed with the way too small South African penguin area. In my opinion, you can never have enough penguins!


The main attraction is the Ocean Voyager. An acrylic tunnel leads you through the 6 million gallons of saltwater like you're walking on the bottom of the ocean floor. At the end you'll come to the gallery with the second largest viewing window in the world at 23 ft. tall by 61 ft. wide and 2 ft. thick. The aquarium houses four whale sharks about 15 ft long. They are the largest species on earth and can grow to as much 40 ft.

I have to say the aquarium was astonishing. I've seen many, altough the Sydney Aquarium is still my favorite. However, if you're in Atlanta, you must go.

Everything's bigger in Texas, y'all!

In the past two weeks, I've driven, with my car packed with every possession I have including my surfboard, from Boston, MA, through NYC, Washington D.C., Savannah, GA, down to Miami. From Miami I drove to Atlanta, GA, to stay with my best friend Rose then to Birmingham, Alabama and down to New Orleans for the 1st anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Took a tour of New Orleans, which I must add, is horrendous. Then I drove into Houston where my family lives. I can go no more! I stopped at my grandmother's apartment and have been crashing here for three days. She's got a great place in Houston with one caveat-it's a retirement community. I'm like Cameron Diaz in that movie "In Her Shoes" and my gramma is Shirley MacLaine.

Once I get settled in, wherever that may be, I'll upload pics of everywhere. Right now, in the fiasco that is the back of my Jeep, the cable for my camera is lost. I'm also planning a podcast, if I could only find my microphone. Hang tight! This girl is no longer living out of just her backpack, I'm living out of my car. My life used to be so simple!

New Orleans

I spent a few nights in New Orleans in the French Quarter on the one year anniversary of Katrina. I took some video of Bourbon Street which I'll upload later and went to St. Bernard Parish and the 9th Ward. Check these pictures out! For lack of a better expression, it looks like a bomb went off. Everywhere.

Safety Girl

I'm not really sure how I ran across this website, but I think the Safety Girl Roadside Emergency Kit is a really cute idea. How many times have you been in your car and in a hurry and realized you needed anit-perspirant? I'm totally serious! This has happened to me! This kit contains directions for changing a flat tire as well as tampons and chocolate. Of course, the chocolates going to melt in the summer, so you have to eat it right away! I think this a really great gift idea and know my friends would love it for their birthdays. It also contains:

* Space® Brand Emergency Blanket
* Safety Matches
* 5 Bandages
* 2 Antiseptic Wipes
* Instructions to Change a Flat Tire
* Instructions to Jump Start a Dead Battery
* Emergency Contact List
* Accident Record
* Safety GirlT Pencil
* Purified Water
* Professional Nail File

* Ritter® Sport Chocolate
* Zox Breath Freshener
* Balm of Gilead Lip Moisturizer
* Balm of Gilead Aromatherapy Headache Remedy
* OxiClean® Instant Spot Remover Wipe
* Dove Anti-perspirant
* Speedy Clean Cleansing Wipes
* Sight Savers® Eyeglass Lens Cleaning Tissue
* 3 o.b.® tampons
* Emergency Sewing Repair Kit

Backpackers.com

If Backpackers.com only knew how often I've visited their website for ideas and news. Now, today, turns out they've actually looked at mine. And, amazingly, even liked it! It's like finding out your favorite celebrity already knows who you are. Like Madonna telling me she thinks I am cool! That's how I feel about having an article about my blog on backpackers.com. Anyway, aside from checking out the fabulous things Pia had to say about this blog, go there for all the other interesting articles, hostel bookings and travel forums. Here's what Pia wrote:


"Travel blogs are springing up left right and centre – backpackers telling their story as it happens, from the road.

We think they’re great and we’re always looking for particularly good ones to feature in our ‘cool travel blogs’ category.

When I saw the heading: One Girl, Her Backpack And A Passion For Travel, I was pretty sure it was going to be just up my alley.

Catchy titles are like that.Turns out I was right. The author of this cool travel blog, Jerri Stephenson, from Boston, Massachusetts, has been travelling for some time now, making money as she goes:

‘I’m truly living out of a bag. I have no physical address to call home and never thought my life would come to this.’

She has just started making podcasts about her adventures, and is planning an epic trip to Antarctica early next year. Check it out. You go, girl!"

Where do I go from here?

I've decided to leave the wild world of yachting and go back home for a while. Not too long though in case I accidentally get sucked in and never leave. I'm still going to travel, just not by boat anymore! A door has shut behind me and I'm looking for another one to open up soon. Until then, this is what I have to look forward to!


I'm leaving here (Boston):



I'm returning here (Abilene,Texas):

Another girl traveler

I found this site today and am blown away. Megan is traveling around the world, blogging, sketching and living the life of a full-on adventurer. Check out her photos and her art which are so incredible and inspiring. Once again, I'm finding myself jealous of other travelers getting to go to cool new places.

001-Intro One Girl and Her Backpack

Episode #1 One girl, her backpack and a passion for travel is a brief introduction to the podcast and the host. The podcast will discuss travel for those who want to live the lifestyle of a traveler and not a tourist.


This is my first podcast. Let's see how it goes!

Promo One girl and her backpack

003-Boston, Antarctica and Argentina

Podcast #3 This podcast I'm discussing my last few months in Boston, my future trip to Antarctica, and my friends tour company in Argentina.

Episode #3 One Girl, Her Backpack and a Passion for Travel

National Geographic Literacy Study

I read a USA Today snapshot the other day that said 70% of Americans between the ages of 18-24 have not traveled outside of the US in 3 three years. Then today I ran across that survey on the National Geographic website. Here are some more interesting facts:

• Only one in ten (11%) corresponds with someone in another country
• Only two in ten (22%) have a passport
• Six in ten (62%) say they can’t speak any language other than their own native language fluently

Boston City Plaza and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Upload videos at Bolt.

Free Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert in Downtown Boston!

Thinking about Swaziland

As I was backpacking across South Africa about a year and a half ago my friend Martin and I made a detour into Swaziland. While there we went on a tour in the country side by Quad Bike. I was just thinking today about the guy that started the company, Rich, who took us on the tour and was wondering if his venture was still going strong in Swaziland. I looked the company up online and was surprised to find them. Looks like they are doing great! Rich was very excited about the future of tourism in Swaziland and passionate about showing travelers the harsh realities of a country affected so strongly by AIDS. Check out his site and especially his pics! It's gorgeous there!

Antarctica: My Final Destination

Acting on a complete whim, which is my modus operandi, I booked a trip to Antarctica last night. I had been thinking that I would set my goal back to get to Antarctica until I was 30 years old, but last night decided that I couldn't wait that long. Instead, I'm now going in March 2007. My trend has been to buy trips for my birthday present to myself since I was 16. They started small like going to Dallas to go to the Galleria, or going skiing in Colorado for my 18th, Canada, 19th, Trip across the country, 20th, NYC, 21st, Mexico, 22nd, St. Barts, 23, South Africa 24th, Japan, 25th, Antarctica, 26th. These trips I guess are becoming a little more eccentric and most definitely more expensive.

This trip will be a little difficult in planning. I have a rule that I'm not allowed to repeat countries unless absolutely necessary. Having already been to Argentina, I'm thinking I have to go to Chile first and down to Ushuaia in Argentina this making my trip more complicated. The following list is the brief itinerary.

Day 1 Arrive Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Arrive in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Embarkation on 'Explorer' begins in the afternoon at the port in Ushuaia.
Day 2-3 Drake Passage
Our adventure begins with a 400-mile crossing of the passage that bears the name of the 16th-century English explorer Sir Francis Drake. The 'Little Red Ship' is at home in this part of the Southern Ocean.
Day 4-7 Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
Experience some of the best wildlife viewing and scenery in the world as you set foot on the Antarctic continent. Take two excursions per day (conditions permitting), and encounter Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguin rookeries, Weddell, Crabeater and Leopard seals, and Orca, Humpback and Minke whales in the cold Antarctic waters.
Day 8-9 Drake Passage
Today we begin our journey north to our home port of Ushuaia. Review the highlights of our Antarctic experience with our lecturers and staff, and keep your eyes open on the observation deck for some final whale sightings.
Day 10 Depart Ushuaia
Our adventure comes to a close, as we say our goodbyes as we disembark in Ushuaia.

I'm showing up in other people's travel dreams

My friend Danial, the one who is from Nova Scotia and my surf buddy, told me that last night he had a dream that he was in in Japan and lost. In his dream he was really stressed and didn't know who to call to help him find his way and ended up calling me back in the states for directions. He said, "I don't know why I called you when I have friends that actually live in Japan." I take this as a compliment. Unfortunately, when he called me I wasn't of any help and actually got him more lost. Should I take another person's dream as a sign that I should become a travel agent?

Walking through Boston Common

Upload videos at Bolt.

Madonna

So I went to see Madonna in concert last night. And if anyone knows me, you know that I am obsessed with Madonna! Front row seats baby!

Dave Matthews and Fenway

Upload videos at Bolt.One of the little perks of my job is that I occasionaly get to go to events happening at Fenway. The girls that I work with and I all went to see Dave Matthews and Sheryl Crow last night. Well, we missed Sheryl but got to see all of Dave and it was incredible! I haven't seen him since 1999 when I think my boyfriend at the time and I saw him at Smirnoff. Thanks Barry! I forgot how much I love Dave and was surprised that I knew all the words to the songs even his new stuff.

My new favorite blog!

These guys are super travelers and are doing what I've wanted to do for so long: backpack across Africa. Their videos are hilarious and entertaining! Check them out!

I want to buy this hotel

El Momo Cottages is a small eco hotel on the magical Caribbean island called Saba. It includes 6 small wooden Cottages, a pool, a breakfast area / restaurant and a nice house to live in for owners/managers including the office, outdoor living room and great terrace. Located on a steep and green mountain with lots of tropical garden and amazing ocean views from everywhere. Only disadvantage are lots of steps. Please check out www.elmomo.com
This is a great place for nature lovers who seek a healthy lifestyle in paradise. Saba has no crime, no mosquitos and has the best climate in the world!

Cape Cod

Martha's Vineyard

For Father's Day weekend we headed over to Marth's Vineyard for a way too short trip. The weather couldn't have been more perfect with warm but breezy sunny days and only a scattering of clouds. I'd never been to the Vineyard before and really had no preconceived ideas of what it was like other than thinking a lot of wealthy and/or famous people vacation there. I didn't see anyone famous that I know of although I wouldn't know anyone famous unless they were pointed out to me but I suspect I saw a lot of wealthy people.

We were anchored outside of Edgartown which seems like a nice little town. We were joined by a few large sailing yachts that I remember seeing down in Antigua and I'm sure are now in Newport, RI. The harbor had some pristine looking beaches with kids out playing in what I imagine is some pretty cold water. There were some really large houses on the beaches but actually not as large as I'm used to seeing. I'm suspecting that this town is the place where most of the vacationers like to go shopping. There were some nice boutique stores out of my price range as usual selling lots of girly things. In fact, if I didn't know better, I might have actually thought I was walking through the streets of St. Barts.

We ended up going to Murdick's Fudge and bought about $50 worth of fudge for us three girls. It was tasty but I'm not a huge fan of fudge so the rest of the crew, who apparently are fans, devoured the sweets in less than a day! Before the night was over we ended up with the rest of the crew at Wharf's Pub for a pint, or two or in some case 7 or 8! Sadly, we had curfew at 10 pm to take the last tender into the boat. If I have the opportunity I would love to go back to the Vineyard and explore a little more around the island. I hear strawberry picking is fun!

Where I've been

create your own visited states map





create your own visited countries map

Boston: We have arrived!

We got into Boston on May 29th after a week underway from Ft. Lauderdale. The trip up was incredibly smooth and actually pretty pleasant. My roommate and I are way into Scrabble these days so between our watches that we have every six hours we were down in the crew mess playing Scrabble which I lose everytime. Around Cape Hatteras the weather definitely changed. We went from nice warm, tropical weather to there being a slight chill in the air during the day. Then when we arrived in the Cape Cod canal it was all fog straight up into Boston. It cleared up just a little as we were passing under a bridge for me to take some pictures. We saw a man and a woman walking along the waterway pushing a stroller and some kids playing on a playground. It was really gorgeous.

When we arrived in Boston we immediately all got off the boat and kissed the ground! Trapped in small places in the middle of the ocean drives you crazy slowly. Like typical yachties we then went out and got piss drunk! We've only been here a week and it's been raining the entire time. Then the chef got the flu and now we all have it. So even if we wanted to go out here in Boston we couldn't manage to get out of our beds. I had to miss a day of work but it's not like I do anything anyway. Once we get settled into Boston I'll tell you a little more about venues and sites nearby like the IMAX and the aquariam. We'll also be heading to Nantucket pretty soon which I'm super excited about. My roommate and I are also planning some trips to NYC, Provincetown and Newport, RI. So prepare yourself for a jampacked summer!

Podcast on hold

I'm in the process of making my next podcast. I know it's been about a month but I'm waiting for some music I can use and I'm developing the website. SO!!! I'll be back soon. Until then, I'll still update my blog when I can. We're leaving for Boston soon so I'll have something to write about after that!

Official surfer = Official Slacker

I found a pic of my new surfboard! My new surf buddy, Danial, a Canadian from Nova Scotia no less, and I have gone surfing every day for the past three days! Monday the surf was about 5 feet high and there were probably 50 surfers out. I got ripped to shreads and have a massive bruise under my arm and thought I was knocked out once when I flipped over my board and it hit me dead on my temple! Despite my injuries, I am loving going out there more than I can even possibly begin to tell you! Today there weren't any waves but we went out and sat on our boards anyway. Well, Danial sat on his, but when I tried to sit like him on mine it would flip out in front of me. Danial and all the other cute surfer boys thought it was hilarious but I just felt like a stupid poser surfer girl with her trendy brand new pink and yellow surfboard. They don't know. I have skills. I have moves they've never seen. Just not on a surfboard.

So, all this I write to tell you why I don't have a new podcast up! Today I am going to try and record for you a little about my trip to the Bahamas to the Atlantis Resort and Casino, a little about Argentina (just to talk about my friend Martin's new company) and some about Ft. Lauderdale, Key West, and South Beach, Miami. A lot to talk about and I know I won't be able to cover everything but I'll get us started. So hang tight, and I'll be back soon with podcast episode #2!!!

I bought my first surfboard!

I bought a 7'6" surfboard today! $415 plus a leash and enough wax to last me a lifetime. I am OFFICIALLY a surfer girl!

Ski and Wine South America

My good friend from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Martin and two other friends have just started an incredible new outfitter company called Ski and Wine South America. You can choose 7 or 14 days packages from guided tours of the wineries in Argentina and Chile, heli-skiing or horseback riding in the Andes, or high altitude golfing in Mendoza, Argentina and Chile. Check out their website at Ski and Wine

Podcast #1

Episode #1 (13 mins) One girl, her backpack and a passion for travel is a brief introduction to the podcast and the host. The podcast will discuss travel for those who want to live the lifestyle of a traveler and not a tourist.


This is my first podcast. Let's see how it goes!

Promo One girl and her backpack

From Antigua to Ft. Lauderdale

From Antigua to Ft. Lauderdale
We left Antigua today for Ft. Lauderdale. Today was supposed to be our day off before we left for FLL on Monday. Big plans to go to the beach today (for the billionth time since we've been here). I'm crushed. Ok not really. I'm sick of Antigua. I've been sick of Antigua since we got here. Nothin doin here. There's always a party here it's true. But it's the same people at every party. It's always the same venue, either Skull Duggery, Mad Mongoose, or Abras. Occasionally, we'll mix things up on Thursday night with Karaoke at The Anchorage or Tuesday at the Leming there's a live band that sucks. But it's still the same people, night after night, after night, and then during the day as well.

Anyway, we left Antigua today and hopefully I'm not leaving my reputation. I have to say, that I was not a good girl in Antigua and I'm not proud of it either! It's just to easy to get drunk and act stupid. Which I did, on a nightly basis. My job isn't rocket science so waking up with a hangover and working the day through won't hurt my on the job performance much.

It should take us about a week to make to Ft. Lauderdale. Civilization! See you then!

Back from Japan

After two weeks of living on one bowl of Soba noodles a day I have returned from Japan to Antigua. I have to say that, although Japan is a great country of all the places I've been it's my least favorite. I guess I had to find some country that I didn't love at some point. The people of Japan are quite courteous but I wouldn't go so far as to say they are friendly. Of course, the Japanese are not known for their outgoing nature. I felt like such an outsider. Many people love Japan. Some of the greatest travelers in the world are fascinated with Japan and I feel like I should love it too, but I don't unfortunately.

Japan was incredibly expensive as well. I found ways to live below my means, but it wasn't easy for me I must admit. Usually, I consider myself a savvy traveler but traveling in Japan was not particularly enjoyable for me. Obviously, the difficulty in communication was the biggest factor for me. I still think I would have enjoyed going to India or Thailand better and plan to go still someday. But until then, I have accomplished my goal of 6 continents before I turn 25 and I guess that I can at least be proud of that.

Lost On The Tokyo Subway

Kyoto

Kyoto was an absolutely beautiful city! I only had the opportunity to explore the city one day out of the three days I was there thanks to the rain. As an added bonus the cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom while I was there!

I visited about ten temples and shrines and by the end of the day I was all templed out. I also manage to spot four geishas. Sometimes I would see them far off into the distance and try to follow them only for them to quickly slip off into an alleyway before I could catch them. Much of the time I felt like I was on a geisha safari!

Tokyo From My Hotel Room

Japan vs. India

I've been sick for the past week and have been taking antibiotics but it's taken me a long time to admit that I am actually ill. I hate being ill because I always tell myself that I am not actually hurting but really just lazy. I have been trudging along at work doubled over in pain, but a part of me still thinks that I should buck up and just work harder. For some reason, I always feel guilty that I am sick and today I have constantly apologized to my coworkers for being so slow and miserable to be around. Actually, I think they are no longer sympathetic but rather annoyed at my apologizing so much. I just feel like I'm letting them down. But I started thinking that, if I am in fact just lazy or beginning to dislike my job, my sickness is just a physical manifestation of my unhappiness. I hope not. I know that I have a great job and love my coworkers. Work is horribly mundane though and I'm longing for some excitement.

Once again, I think am beginning to feel the itch. I hate and love the itch all at the same time. The itch keeps me on my toes. The itch tells me lies though. It tells me that I don't want to be where I am that I would be happier somewhere else. I would be happy if I were on a plane heading to some country where I don't know anyone or the language. It says that I should settle down in a house of my own. It says I deserve to be paid more. It says basically I have to keep on moving.

I've been thinking (again) that I'm going to go to Japan instead of India. I have my vacation coming up and I found a great deal from Expedia leaving from Antigua to Tokyo for only $900. It's perfect to get away and I think I'm gonna go for my birthday. I would love to see a Geisha. And I've always wanted to go to Japan. Yup. That's what I'm going to do. Until I change my mind next week. Happy Birthday to me!!!

On getting Island fever

Just heard today that we're going to be in the Caribbean now until mid-April. I'm going crazy here. I need Starbucks! I need Barnes and Noble! Most of all I need my Jeep! I know it's hard to feel sorry for me but I'm not doing anything here in Antigua but getting skin cancer and probably cirrhosis of the liver. Speaking of dying...

One of my friends and I stole a kayak yesterday and tried to kayak out to this island that we could see off in the distance. About a mile and a half out to the island we got into rougher seas than we imagined (ok, the waves were only about 6 inches high) and the boat started taking on water and I had to bail water with my flips flops to no avail! Shortly thereafter, the boat sank with us in it.

No one was around and we had no life jackets, just some oars, our flips flops and my car keys (why did I bring my car keys in the first place?). What would McGyver do? Swim! Then the boat floated back up to the top but it was capsized. So we dragged our stolen boat back a mile and a half in what I only just found out to be heavily shark infested waters! We pulled the boat up on the beach after swimming for an hour and found a huge gash across the bottom of the boat! No wonder the owners had just left the boat on the beach to be stolen! But we learned our lesson: Before stealing anything, always make sure that it doesn't have any holes (unless you're into that sort of thing).

Riding my bike through India?

Well, I've done a bit of research and I'm thinking about doing a bike tour with Intrepid Travel. Here's the intinerary for the trip

Day 1 Delhi We walk through Old Delhi's labyrinth of intriguing narrow laneways and bazaars, which has fed this crumbling part of the city for hundreds of years.


Days 2-3 Udaipur Fly into the most romantic of Rajasthani cities, Udaipur. Prepare to fall in love with a captivating place where artists, musicians and dancers have converged harmoniously through the ages.


Days 4-10 Rural Villages Pioneering cycle explorers by day, we spend our magical nights relaxing in style within Rajput forts and heritage castles, which give a royal flavour to the adventure. Mounting our saddles at the magnificent Kumbalgarh Fort, a ride through a wildlife sanctuary and lunch near the beautifully carved Ranakpur Jain temple proves delightful. The Aravalli Ranges make a stunning backdrop to our travels through colourful tribal Rabari hamlets and grazing camels in Jojawar. After traversing the dry and rocky Thar Desert, set up tents in time for a gorgeous sunset and barbeque under a blanket of bright stars. Acacia bushes offer shade while cycling along salt tracks beside the Kharda Dam, keeping an eye out for the elusive and unusual blue bull. A chance to dive into a cooling pool at the end of the day will have you racing on to our Rohet Castle oasis. En route to Jhalamand, learn about the fascinating Bishnoi tribes native to this region. Possessing unique traditions and a fascinating history, they fiercely protect the herds of black buck and sacred khejri trees we see on our path and make our last two days of cycling truly rewarding.


Day 11 Jodhpur Towering proudly above the 'blue city' stands the majestic Meherangarh Fort. Meander through its vast collection of royal treasures and venture down the cobbled pathway into Sadar Bazaar as it teems with spices and local delicacies, including the best lassi in India!


Days 12-14 Pushkar Kick back and enjoy the mellow atmosphere in one of the rooftop cafes dotted throughout the bazaar and watch the sun set over the holy lake. Taste the life of a nomad astride a camel for a safari into the surrounding area.


Day 15 Delhi A mouthwatering farewell breakfast awaits us following our overnight train into Delhi.

Planning for vacay!

I've been thinking a lot about my trip, which should be in March, to Asia. At first, I was planning to go to Thailand for a multitude of reasons; it's cheap, accessible, and safe. But I've been talking to a few friends who say they really enjoyed Thailand but that it's overrated. Never being one to do the conventional, it made me rethink where I might want to go.

Now, of course, I really want to experience Bankok. I hear it's worldly and authentically cultured. I also love the whole backpacker scene. Do I want to relax and sit around at the beach? No, because I work on a boat that follows the summer and therefore always have access to beaches. I have been Diving at the Great Barrier Reef and I have surfed in South Africa. Obviously I want to do something adventurous. I'm not going for Rest and Relaxation. After spending a lot of time on the water, perhaps I want to go a little further inland.

My goal someday is to own an eco-hotel. I always use my trips for informational purposes to gather ideas of places that I like so that someday I may incorporate those ideas into my own place. So, I'm thinking I'll go to an eco-lodge in the mountains. I want to do yoga for like 2 weeks. However, the big catch is that usually places like those attract older crowds and I want to avoid a place like that. Here are my requirements for my vacation to India.

• Beautiful natural surroundings
• Clean, nice place to stay
• Affordable, but not economy cheap
• Young Crowd
• Yoga

I'll keep you updated on my research. I'm going to look at igougo.com, lonelyplanet.com and various other internet sites.

Losing Identity in St. Thomas

We've been in St. Thomas for about a month now and it's about 3 weeks longer than I would prefer. I'm having a difficult time finding things I want to do here other than go to the beach and go to bars. Since I don't like bars that much and I get bored after about 3 hours at the beach, I've been bored out of my mind. Usually I would workout to get rid of the boredom, unfortunately I can't run around here as I like to run at night. It's dangerous to run in St. Thomas at night. I'm not sure if that's a rumor, but I'm not taking a chance. So I'm unhappy because I'm unhealthy. And the more unhappy the more unhealthy I get. It's cyclical. Luckily, we're FINALLY leaving for Antigua on Tuesday. Less touristy there and more yachts meaning more new friends. I'm becoming obsessive about meeting new people. I love hearing where people are from and what they do.

In other news, my flight and trip to Thailand was supposed to be on January 10th. I'm hoping that I'll make it in March when I have time off from work. I will not be 25 yet, so I may still make my goal. Well, I'm depressed now thinking about it. So I'm going to go to bed.

http://www.bolt.com/JerriBean/photo/1712338

New Year's Resolution

Well, for the past week I have been doing a lot of thinking about things. I have been thinking about what I have accomplished in the last year. But then there are so many things that I wanted to do but didn't do.

2005 accomplishments
• Backpacked alone across South Africa including surfing for the
first time!
• Drove from Texas to Miami in 2 days
• Drove from New York through the Appalachians to Atlanta then
Ft. Lauderdale
• Went to St. Kitts, Nevis, all the USVI and BVI
• Spent an entire summer in The Hamptons in New York and New
York City
• Spent a month in Boston
• Went on a Safari and was chased by elephants
• Started doing yoga classes in NYC


Things I didn’t accomplish

• I didn’t start a new travel business
• I didn’t run a marathon, 10k, or even a 5k
• I didn’t return back to Texas
• I didn’t see anyone in my family for an entire year ?
• I didn’t go back to school for my MBA
• I didn’t lose (or gain) weight
• I didn’t go to church
• I didn’t go to medical school

Things I want to do in 2006

• Take yoga classes in Thailand, kayak in Antarctica, and hike
across New Zealand
• Visit all my friends on the West Coast
• Visit all my friends back in Texas
• My first triathlon
• Ride a bike across Africa
• Sail across the Atlantic


So here are my new years resolutions. We'll see how this goes and if I can check them off my list come 2007!

St. Thomas USVI

Headed to St. Thomas today. The thing I love about doing deliveries is that I get the chance to just think. We are on the water for days at a time and I have nothing to do but think. I think about what I want to do about my future, I think about my past and sometimes I just enjoy the present. Today was an absolutely gorgeous day. The sun was out, there were no waves the water was like glass. When we arrive it will be Christmas day and then we have all day to just hang out, exchange presents with the crew and eat Christmas dinner that the chef made for us. I can't wait. Sometimes I hate my job, but today I couldn't ask for anything better in the world.

Leaving Boston, back to the Caribbean

The past month has really been a bad month for me. It started out with much happiness and anticipation at we left on the boat for Ft. Lauderdale from Boston. As we headed south, Hurrican Wilma headed north toward us leaving behind a destroyed Ft. Lauderdale. So as we waited in New York City at Chelsea Piers for Wilma to pass and FLL to reconstruct, the owner of the boat came on unexpectadly and we all had to work after hoping for a leisurely delivery down. So we ended up staying two weeks in NYC. I didn't mind as one week we had off of work and we spent exploring and tearing up NYC. Best of all, we got to spend Halloween off work in New York. Wow! You haven't seen All Hallows Eve until you've seen it in NYC!

We got the OK to head to Charleston, SC, to get us a little closer to FLL but then again we were caught off guard as the owner requested us to Atlantis Marina in Nassau, Bahamas two weeks before Thanksgiving and when we were planning to go there. Even though the entire crew hates FLL we were all so looking forward to seeing old yachtie friends back there even if it meant we were stuck in Lauderdale. What's worse than being stuck in Lauderdale? Being stuck in the Bahamas when you would rather been in Florida. I know, it's a tough life, But I was expecting to meet my best friend Rose in FLL and had to call off her vacation to visit me at the last minute. Thus is the life of a yachtie I suppose. One thing I miss about land life is seeing my friends when I want to see them. I would give anything to be able to be roommates with Rose again. We had the most fun!

Anyway, I managed to get a little sun by the pool at Atlantis. Hey, I haven't seen the sun in 8 months! I spend everyday inside the pit of the boat...cleaning toilets! I know, it's hard to sit by the pool drinking Pina Coladas on your day off. But if I didn't, who would drink all the rum?

Finally after Thanksgiving was over and the owners were off the boat we made a bee line to FLL where I was greeted by noone as all my friends have all left for St. Martin in the Caribbean. :( Now one of my best friends on the boat has quit suddenly and don't have a party friend anymore. Ahhh. I can't wait until Christmas. Christmas in St. Thomas should make up for the last month.

Night out in Boston

Last night Tara, Jason and James and I went out for Jason't birthday and our last Friday night in Boston. The first place we went was The Living Room. I would describe it as a lounge and martini bar. They have every type of martini you can think of and if you invent one they'll make it for you. The apple martinis are good, but I can make them better myself. The bartenders there are gorgeous. One in particular, Mike, could be described as beautiful. After a few rounds at The Living Room we went to Gypsy Bar. The line was two hours long but James having an adorable Australian accent got us in in 2 minutes. Large screen TVs all around the bar had films of sexy runway models on the catwalk and a DJ at the front entrance of the bar played some excellent music. The bar was huge and filled with lots of beautiful people. I was a big fan of the place though. Too crowded, too meat market. Tara and I left early taking a taxi back to the Boston Harbor Hotel but the guys ended up staying out the entire night. We all slept in this morning so we missed the Rowing Reggata on the Charles and the All-American Rejects. Oh well. Last weekend in Boston and I'm nursing a fierce hangover. Well, there's always next year

Travel Detox

When I quit my last job after 6 months I was afraid that it would mean that I wouldn't have the chance to go on my Thailand trip planned for January. Well that still holds true, but today it hit me that I won't be up for my vacation days for another 6 months at my new job. That means I will not have traveled to a new country for over a year. Yes, I realize that my job requires travel sometimes to new to me countries but that's work. I want a real vacation. And I need to meet my goal to go to all 7 continents soon.

Today I started dreaming again of all the places I want to go and still haven't been. First of all I still want to go to Asia and Antarctica and once I have been to those places I am allowed my frivalous trips. Which include but are only limited by my imagination.

• I think it would be fun to travel Central and South America by motorcycle. Probably really dangerous too! But I am dying to go to Machu Pichu.
• I want to travel the entire continent of Africa. This will take at least a year to travel the perimeter plus Madagascar. I think I will start in Spain and go down and clockwise. Why? Not really sure why, but why not?
• Then I want to return to Europe and take the Trans-Siberian railway from Moscow.
• Of course I want to sail across the Atlantic and spend a summer in the Mediterranean, preferably Greece and Croatia
• I would love to see the Taj-Mahal
• Budapest and Prague are also cities I would love to see. But as I was doing research on them I noticed that I want to go to every country in Europe. I wonder if that’s possible. OK. I’m up for it.

Where am I going to get the money for this? And who wants to go with me?

Newbury street in Boston

So yesterday as I said in my previous blog Tara and I went to Newbury Street. We mostly just window shopped and took pictures of ourselves. As we were walking down the street we saw a crowd and wanted to know what was going on. Turns out an a cappella group was singing, "Shout" and they were so fun and charismatic! We got some pics and Tara somehow managed to record them with my camera.


Upload videos at Bolt.

Then we wandered to the Armani Cafe in the Armani store and had the best french fries of our lives! We decided to bring them home to Syd (the boat's chef) so he'll make fries like that for us. But we forgot. Accidentally eating them before we could show Syd.

Thinking about Syd we called him to find out what he was doing and if he would meet up with us. He was already headed over to see some friends play at a little bar so we took the subway to meet him. He brought with him Owen Plant who is an incredible musician that opened for the band we were about to see in Tucson AZ. The band playing was called Ryanhood and was made up of two very talended guitarists. I would recommend anyone to listen and buy their CDs. I did and am now a fan. You can go to www.ryanhoodmusic.com

Kristina is coming to Miami

My friend Kristina from Cali (aka ubercool travel girl) is coming to visit me in Miami Dec 2-4. I haven't seen her since she came to visit me in Dallas November 2003. We met in Australia way back in 2002 when we were studying Biology in the Daintree rainforest and spent all our time searching for didgeridoos in the trees. Turns out that didgeridoos are not animals but in fact musical instruments. So after we couldn't find those we searched for Australian boys, but never found one of those either. As I recall, Kristina did in fact find a boy in Sydney but he was English. Then when she came to see me in Dallas we searched for cowboys at the rodeo. I think that the rodeo turned her off to cowboys, Texas country (we saw Pat Green in concert) and BBQ and on to animal rights however. This time I'm sure when she visits Miami our goals will be the same, get drunk and search for boys!

Blue Ridge Parkway

Driving solo from The Hamptons to Miami via the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville, North Carolina, then on to Atlanta the home of the Braves and my dear Rose. Overall, it took me 4 days to get from Long Island to Miami not including the 3 days in Atlanta and a slight deter by a hurricane.

Letter to dad:South Africa

Hey Dad,

OK you asked for it. Here's the whole route I took in South Africa. I started in Cape Town flying in 24 hours from Atlanta with a layover in Johannesberg. Not really having a plan when I landed I decided to rent a car and drive from Cape Town to Jo'Burg which quickly became more of a chore than a luxury as I realized that they drive on the left side of the road and I rented a manual car. So after nearly getting into an accident in the Hertz parking lot I switched to an automatic car and drove off the parking lot while the employees laughed at me from behind.

I stayed at hostel called Ashanti converted from an old mansion. It was voted the best hostel in Cape Town and it really was amazing and so many people were there. I was the only girl in my room of 16 beds. It smelled like sweat and at night all the guys snored in unison even though they all spoke different languages

My first full day in South Africa I went on a winelands tour in Boschendale. I was all by myself but met a girl from the US who had been traveling for 4 years straight. We got totally hammered together. Best way to make friends! But don't worry. I was safe as always. I know you're already worried after my first day!

My second day in Cape Town I met Martin who changed my life forever! Martin is an incredibly outgoing, funloving guy from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Martin and I met two others and we all drove out to the Cape of Good Hope for the Day. It took us 5 hours to drive 30 miles as we had to stop and get out to take pictures of everything from townships to wild ostriches. Finally, when we made it to Cape Point the view was outstanding. I couldn't believe how fortunate I was to be there. My favorite part of the day was to go see the warm weather South African Penguins in Simon's Town. I loved them so much except when we would get up close to them they would turn around and poop on us! It was hilarious!

The day ended and so did my time in Cape Town. The next day Martin and I headed separately to Port Elizabeth where we met up at another hostel and met a new friend, Thomas, a German guy backpacking his way on the same route as us. We only stayed the night in PE and headed to my main destination, Coffee Bay, in the heart of the Transkei. Nelson Mandela's homeland and the poorest area of South Africa.

Thomas, Martin, and I only meant to stay in Coffee Bay one night but as soon as we stepped out of our car and saw the view we wanted to stay a lifetime. The backpacker we stayed at, The Coffee Shack, was very earthy and owned by a fabulously friendly couple and staff. The area was so welcoming and the first night we went for sundowners on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Locals played their drums for us while their children danced for us. Again, South African bewildered me and I was so inspired by its culture and land.

Thomas, Martin, me and our new Belgian friend Mattias, left Coffee Bay too soon after three nights and headed to Hluehlue-Umfolozi reserve North of Durban. The trip from Coffee Bay to Hlueblue wasn't as beautiful as the ride along the Garden Route from Cape Town to Coffee Bay unfortunately.

The backpacker we stayed at also wasn't as nice as the one in Coffee Bay or Cape town but the setting was entirely different. We were on a game reserve and I was terrified I was going to be eaten by a lion! Then I found out that lions couldn't get to me there...too late I was already afraid to leave the cabin.

We went for a day long safari which although was incredible to see the "Big Five" I wouldn't recommend driving on your own. I would have rather had a tour and not had to worry about self-guide. I was crabby that day as Martin and Thomas would tell you. Poor guys! I'm sorry I yelled at you for speeding!

The next day we went to St. Lucia wetlands and went on a hippo safari which was pretty cool but to me, nothing could compare to Coffee Bay.

Our last major trip was a bit of a detour as we headed to a whole other country, Swaziland. I loved the Swazi people and couldn't believe the statistics I heard about the AIDS epidemic there. More than 50% of the population is infected with AIDS and it is only getting worse. I cried when I could see the people who obviously had it and were dying and then hated myself for not doing more to help.

Swaziland changed me forever.

Finally, Thomas, Martin and I made it to Jo'burg where once again I found myself living in fear. This time not fear of lions but fear of crime. I heard so many horror stories about burglaries and murders in Jo'Burg. My fears were only enhanced by the huge barracades around the houses which kept the South Africans hidden safely (or not) behind the walls afraid to venture out into the streets. I parted ways with my new, dear friends Martin and Thomas and we all promised to keep in touch.



When I got back to the states, Thomas wrote me to tell me his roommate in J'Burg died in his bed at the backpacker and noone noticed for 2 days because everyone just thought he recovering from some heavy partying. Well, maybe he was trying but just didn't recover. How weird is that?

Ok. I love you! Come visit me. Oh...and my next trip is to Thailand and you're coming.

More South Africa

Well, I have driven North East from Cape Town through the "Garden Route" through a town called Port Elizabeth where I stayed for a night, then to Coffee Bay in the "Wild Coast" in the Transkei heartland where the Xhosi are from (the ones who click when speaking!). It's the poorest area of SA but the most beautiful. It's where Mandela's tribe is from. I stopped at a nice backpacker hostel right on the ocean and was going to stay one night but ended up staying 3. I learned how to surf which I am now in LOVE with! I'm now in Zululand actually Kwazulu-Natal which is where the HluwHlue/Imfulzi national reserve is.

Yesterday we went on a Safari and were attacked by a herd of Elephants! They had their babies which were SO adorable! It was so cool. I saw a ton of giraffe, lions, buffalo, zebra, baboons(!), etc. Unfortunately, no leopards or cheetahs. ;o( Anyway, today I am in the St. Lucia wetlands searching for hippos and crocs. We did a walking tour but before we left our guide had to warn us that there is in fact the danger of being attacked by elephants, buffalo and hippos which made the trek all the more worthwhile. I realized what a lucky girl I am to have this opportunity. I think this is how people should live their lives. Exploring and adventure. Times likes these I feel my life is most worthwhile. It's actually kinda cold here. Such is winter I guess.

Surfing in Coffee Bay, Transkei, South Africa

I went surfing yesterday in Coffee Bay a famous surf spot in South Africa. And from now on I am officially a surfer and no longer a hurley poser like I was in college! But today I am incredibly sore everywhere but most oddly in my fingers. Paddling I guess. But yeah, I am hooked for life!

I've hooked up with a guy from Argentina and a guy from Germany and we are all heading to Jo'Burg. We picked up two lady hitchhikers in the Transkei who told us that they were from Mandelas tribe and met Oprah Winfrey last time she was here! There's much more to tell, but my fingers are really hurting right now! More later!

Driving to South Africa

So Friday I began to drive the 10 hours to Atlanta from Ft. Lauderdale to stay with Rose and catch my flight to South Africa. After driving 30 mins in the wrong direction as in South to Cuba instead of North to Georgia, I decided that was a sign and headed back to Ft. Lauderdale with my tale and my tail between my legs.

Begin day two of my trip to South Africa entirely so far spent NOT in South Africa. Finally, after learning from my mistakes and knowing through experience which direction to head out of Ft. Lauderdale, I made it safely to Atlanta, only to get lost and make Rose come and find me. My trip to South Africa is not starting well at this point. Rose gave me keys to her house as she was going to work and she told me to not open the door to anyone, or talk to anyone, and to park behind the house. As usual, I was like ok Rose whatever you say. I didn't question her at the time because I was too tired. As I was asleep around 10pm in Rose's house of no shades and it was pitch black outside, someone knocked on the door, and knocked, and knocked for I'm not kidding, 30 minutes. I texted Rose and our texts went like this:

Jerri: Someone's knocking on the door. What do I do?
Rose:HIDE
Jerri:It's hard to hide in a house with NO blinds!
Rose: Then freeze...like a statue!
Jerri:Should I be afraid?
Rose:YES! VERY!
Jerri:Why?
Rose:I'll explain later.

So after standing like a statue for an hour and thoroughly freaked out I decided I was going to have to make like a tree and run for my car. When I finally met Rose later after checking into a nice safe hotel she tells me she thought I was joking about someone knocking on the door and there was absolutely no reason why I should be afraid. To make up for it she bought me a beer (knowing full well I don't drink beer) and then promptly in typical Rose fashion drank it herself!

To be continued tomorrow...

Checked out of retirement community, now going to South Africa

Today I checked out of the retirement community (I'm not quite ready to retire) and moved back into Mary's Crew House. Oh, also have a new job but don't start until May 7 where the boat will fly me to Nassau where we'll do a delivery to NYC. So until then, instead of hanging out in Ft. Lauderdale at retirement communities I'm going to South Africa for two weeks. I guess I'll chill out in Cape Town, go to Mandela's jail cell, and head up to Jo'berg and then to Kruger. No set plans yet, as I usually don't have any plans and it usually works out ok. Why ruin a good thing with planning? Oh, but upon my dad's request I guess I'll get some shots and stuff. Just in case I get Malaria which I imagine might suck.

Now living in a retirement community in Hallendale Beach, Florida

I quit my absolutely horrendous job on Friday and decided that I owe myself a vacation so I checked into a retirement community accidentally. I looked up health spas online and thought I had found this really cool spa where you could do yoga all day long and sit on the beach and get three meals a day which are vegan. I now realize that the "Yoga" classes actually mean light stretching for those with arthritis and vegan meals means prechewed food as people here have no teeth to eat with. Why does this happen to me? Now I am afraid to go outside my room as everyone is 100 years older than me and look at me like I'm crazy. And I believe they are old enough to know it's true, I am crazy. What have I done now? I think I might be losing it.

Back to Ft. Lauderdale, but I got to meet some celebrities

I've had the strangest last week. First of all I have officially left Keewaydin in order to pursue more career opportunities. So I disembarked from Keewaydin in Key West Florida and proceeded to Ft. Lauderdale to find another job, which I did the next day. So I started a brand new temporary job on the worlds fastest boat while the boss was down for the weekend. He brought the worlds best hockey player and a few of his friends. At first I was so so stressed out thinking ok these guys are going to be so super cool and I'm so not. But they turned out to be some of the nicest people I've ever met. They were such gentlemen. The coolest thing and this will sound so weird, but they treated me like a friend, the flirted but not disgustingly and overtly. One of them, the best one, told me I was pretty. How cool is that? But I think they thought I was like 16 though because their nickname for me was little girl.

Off to St. John, USVI

Yay! Finally going back to the caribbean! St. John for a week then off to the BVIs for Christmas and New Years.

We sail on Friday and it will take about 5 days to arrive in St. John. While there our charters will be to Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, Virgin Gorda and some smaller islands along the way. I can't wait!

Back home in Rhode Island

Back in Rhode Island. Yay. I met a really nice South African dude on the flight back from Argentina. We talked to entire flight back. It's so great when you can meet people like that. I may never see him again. How sad is that? You wait your whole life to find someone you can connect with and then circumstances tear you apart. Oh well...

I have updated my website but no pictures of Argentina yet. I actually only took two. One of Evita's grave and the other one of the Iguazu falls. Really, I don't even know or care about Evita. I just like Madonna.

Stupid things I do in other countries

I was walking around this little town and this guy standing outside a supermarket or store or something starts talking to me in Spanish. I have no idea what he was saying. Four years of Spanish in school for what? Anyway, these guys are constantly saying something about wanting to kiss you or that you are from heaven or something. So I´m walking really fast because I try to get away from them. But he pointed to my arm. I guess he was pointing at my watch. Not really sure. All I could make out was that he said...ahora. So I was thinking about what he could have possibly said for about two blocks after that. Then I decided that he was asking for the time. So I walked all the way back and he was still standing there...so I walked up to him, pointed at my watch and said ocho treinta (8:30). In really bad spanish. He looked at me like I was crazy and started laughing hystarically. Then I realized I was I am crazy. So I ran away. Really, really fast. Why do I do stupid things like that? Does anyone else do that?

What they think of us in Buenos Aires

So, since I have been here, I haven't met one person who likes the US or has anything good to say about us. In fact, where it used to be "I like Americans just not their government," it has now become, "I hate Bush. I hate the US. And what is wrong with Americans? They're fat and lazy and have no idea what is going on in the world." I can detect a huge shift in opinion. And this coming from Australians and English as a mutual consensus. The only person I met that didn't seem to care was this French guy. But I don't think he could understand what we were saying. These people are supposed to be our allies. I've always defended my country and even at times defended Bush. I have done so here as well. But now, people aren't so willing to understand or to listen anymore. But I'm not so worried about what the world things, I'm worried about what Americans aren't doing. I just want people to vote. I want people my age to get involved and understand that a lot of things are impacting us in this election and it's essential that we take a more active stance. Most of all, poverty is a huge issue. With poverty, comes lack of education and health care. I work for incredibly wealthy people and all I can tell you is that it is true...the rich are running the United States and as long as they are, the poor and middle class will continue to have less opportunities and less freedom.

Anyway, last night I watched the second debate from my hotel room. I thought Bush did a much better job this time. He was more forceful and articulate. The debate really helped in that I have decided not to vote for Nader as I was planning to do in protest. I guess that's it. I'm ranting and I know people hate rants on politics. I do. I don't want to choose sides anymore. I just want to make things better. I don't want my friends and family to have to work two or three jobs to just get by. The ones that do, they are just too smart for that. So, I guess I'm just trying to say that, I don't know what I'm trying to say. I hope I've alread said it.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Right now, I am in Buenos Aires Argentina. I've been here for a week now. I got here on Sunday and went to this incredible market called "Feira de San Telmo" with vendors set up on cobblestone streets selling what in the United States would be considered crap. Fake antiques and little items you would find at your gramma's house like porcelein cats and tiny teacups.

But somehow, I found it charming and interesting. Best of all there were performers doing the Tango and musicians with amazing talent playing their instruments and these scruffy, truly bohemian artists selling their creations on the street. I loved it. I felt like it was the kind of place you could really be a part of while being yourself and you could be embraced for it.

The next day I went to Iguazu Falls on the border of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. The falls are the fourth largest in the world. The only words I can think of for this place are magnificent and spiritual. The place is still not a spot on the map where many tourists go so it doesn't have the trashy themepark feel. But it did kinda feel like Jurassic Park. I wanted to stay there forever, but decided I couldn't live without my MTV (in English).

I've met some really great, fun people here at my hostel but they are friendships that last only for a few days and then we all move on. Then, once again, I am left alone to wander the streets of Buenos Aires in anonymity. I recommend it to everyone-traveling alone that is. You are lonely, sad, and thrilled all at the same time.

I also got to visit Evita's grave. I have decided that Evita is the Hilary Clinton of Argentina. People love her and hate her all at the same time. I wonder if Madonna would play in a movie about Hilary? I learned about Che Guevera from a Cuban and an Argentinian and defended my country-as usual- to a group of people where no one was on my side. This is what I love about traveling. Now, I'm going to go continue my exploration of Argentina cause it is my last day. Adios!

Letter to dad from Buenos Aires

I love it here dad. Just love it. I went to a market yesterday in an area, San Telmo, that could best be compared to what Greenwich used to be (so I hear). Very bohemian and artsy but nice. There were professional tango dancers and street performers.
One thing that really has made an impression on me is yerba mate. Last night at the hostel I met a few new friends and we shared some mate. It´s a tea that is drunk among friends. It´s kinda like a peace pipe sort of thing. Anyway, I want to bring some back but I´m afraid customs is going to think I have drugs!!! Gotta go for now wasting time
when I could be exploring!

St. Martin

When I moved to St. Maarten after graduating from college in the US, I had never been to an island before and had no idea what to expect. I assumed that everyone lived in homes thatched with palm leaves. I was quite pleasantly surprised as I took the bus that wound through the hills of Dutch St. Maarten from Princess Juliana Airport to Philipsburg. What surprised me most overlooking P'berg from atop the high road leading into the town was the number of white houses with red roofs clustered in the land outside of the town. From there, everything looked pristine and beautiful.
As I disembarked from the taxi bus, paid the driver my $1, and made my way from Back Street to Front Street, I noticed that the roads were littered with trash, potholed, and narrow. I saw very few people as I walked toward the main road through alleys and side streets. I reached Front Street and that’s when I felt like I was in another world. Loads of camera-toting tourists immediately closed in on me, and I quickly understood that most of them were from the cruise ships. The street was lined with jewelry stores and souvenir shops.

If one walks from Front Street toward the bay, they will reach the boardwalk, which really isn't made of boards. No matter. It's a very nice stretch of restaurants and shops. At night, locals gather to sit out on the boardwalk and visit while their children play on the beach. My favorite restaurants are Taloula Mango's, which has happy hour every night from 5-7pm with free tapas. I also like Oualichi's across the Sint Rose Arcade. They have a very cute boutique of women's clothing. Of jewelry stores, I recommend Shiva's. As I have been living in St. Maarten, I have come to know the owners. They are very respectable and sincerely are concerned about the happiness of their customers with their purchases.

Also, don't miss Old Street. There is a lovely French bakery with great sandwiches and pastries. Overall, Philipsburg is a place that looks a little rough around the edges, but underneath it is quite a jewel.

Letters from Barcelona III

Hey Carmen Sandiego(That's my new nickname for you because it sounds Spanish and because she is all over the freakin globe). How are things? So, going to Milano...lucky! I was watching the Amazing Race on TV yesterday(it wasn't actually yesterday, it was three
days ago, but you won't know the difference because you are living with Euro trash who don't get American stations)...the groups started in Milan and there were at some huge indoor shopping place that looked like a train station...it looks pretty cool, you should check it out. And then Switzerland...what the freak? Are you going skiing or something? You know people all over the place now...got the hook ups! Sorry about your relegation to the beginners class, that sucks. But now you can make fun of all the "beginnners" since
your skills are far superior to theirs now that you have taken the pre-intermediate. You can laugh at them and taunt them when that answer questions wrong.
If you do well enough in the beginners that might bump you up to super-expert class and you debate in Spanis and stuff...ja oder nein? Sorry this is one big paragraph, for some reason I can't push the return button so it just keeps typing like so. I guess I'll end for now since I don't want your eyes getting tired. Talk to ya soon...have fun in Milan, or wait Switzerland, or wherever you are going!

Hey Chris!

It's been a while since I have had the chance to email you. How's everything going with you? I got back from Italy and Switzerland on Sunday. Switzerland, the little part I saw, was gorgeous. I would live
there maybe if I knew French or German or Italian or that other language they speak. Alas, I know nothing. I have started speaking Spanglish. Where, when I need to speak in English is has a Spanish accent! AHAHAHAHA. It's really funny. I crack myself up. Next time I talk to wherever you may be, I'll speak some Spanglish to you.

Anyway, I'm SOOOO ready to come home. I miss not having to worry about not being able to talk to people. I went to la playa yesterday. That is the beach for all the lay people. My arms are so
so dark that If you just look at them I fit in with all the Spanish. But if you look at anything else such as my face it's white, white white. Kinda strange I spose. Well, Chris, I hope life is good with you. You're right about the Euro trash no one is better than us so called "Americans." Or would the poliically correct term be United Statesians.

Carmen