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.