The Lost Girls

Parthenon Hostel in Chicago's Greek Town

2009-11-27T06:09:00.000-05:00

Today we have Lost Girl Krista Johnson reporting on how she saved big bucks and booked a hostel for her group when she organized a trip to Chicago’s entrepreneurship conference. She's a public relations major at Syracuse University.
***
Just a short walk from the heart of Chicago, tucked between two Greek restaurants, is a glass door with a piece of paper that reads “Parthenon Hostel.” It wasn’t an official sign by any means, but for my weekend in Chicago, it was home. When the rest of the Entrepreneurship Club and I entered, we found a surprisingly well furnished dining room and bar where we stored our luggage until we received room assignments. Then it was up, up, up four rickety flights of stairs.

We entered our room that included four bunk beds, a 4x6 mirror framed in gold, and two sets of drawers with Grecian column accents. We explored the guys’ room, which also had lockers and an extra dresser (funny how the guys got extra wardrobe space and the girls didn’t). Romantic water color paintings lined the hostel’s hallways—some hung and some leaned against the wall adding a "look, but don't touch" feel to the hostel’s decor.

Weary from the road, I quickly looked for the bathroom to freshen up. From the negative feedback I’d heard of hostel bathrooms, I expected the worst. But, to my pleasant surprise, the facilities were a step up from my college dorm bathrooms. There was plenty of sunlight, roomy showers, and a piney fresh scent that cut traces of any locker-room smell in the air. As the night went on, groups of travelers continued to check into the hostel. We quickly met other visitors, who smiled and greeted us. We exchanged casual small talk—where we were from, what we were up to in Chicago, that sort of thing. One rowdy group of Irishmen even invited us in to enjoy their “spirits” and listen to stories. For $27 per guest, per night, we got a modernly furnished room, clean showers and quirky company. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. To explore more checkout the hostel's site.

The LG Weekly News Roundup: 11.26.09

2009-11-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

by Molly Fergus
LG Travel News Editor

Missed the big travel stories of the week? And the weird, wacky and insignificant ones? We've got your round-up right here....

*********************************

It’s all about the money, honey
Mom always said to bring cash on vacation, but she didn’t mention that it could get you detained. Last March, TSA officials stopped Steve Bierfeldt at security in St. Louis after they spotted a tin case in his bag that contained $4,700 in greenbacks. When Bierfeldt refused what he did for a living, security held him for questioning. A savvy traveler, Bierfeldt recorded the whole debacle on his iPhone — then worked with the American Civil Liberties Union to file a lawsuit. Turns out, it isn’t illegal to carry cash on an airplane (but maybe buy some traveler’s checks, just in case).
Source: New York Times

Hush, little baby
In more atrocious-airline-behavior news, Allegiant Air kicked off a mom and her two kids for being too unruly on the plane before takeoff. After probably humiliating mom and making everyone else on the plane (let’s admit it) happy, Allegiant also denied the trio a refund and told them to rebook on another flight for an extra $900.
Source: Jaunted

Merry surfing!
If you’ve been hiding under a dial-up modem, you might not know that Google is sponsoring free WiFi in 47 airports across the country this holiday season. Free! Just in time for the busiest travel day of the year, this is sure to help travelers wait out the inevitable weather delays. Now, if they would only truck in some extra power outlets…
Source: CNET

Austen’s archives
This could be the best girly-geeky exhibit ever: The Morgan Library and Museum in New York City opened “A Woman’s Wit: Jane Austen’s Life and Legacy,” which features more than 100 of Austen’s works. The exhibit includes Austen’s most complete surviving manuscript, Lady Susan, but also explores the classic writer’s short life. Sorry, no scheduled Colin Firth appearances.
Source: National Geographic Intelligent Travel

*****
Happy Thanksgiving, all!

xo,

The Lost Girls

Best NYC Spas: Mama Spa in the LES

2009-11-25T14:00:00.009-05:00

Jen: When it comes to Manhattan’s Lower East Side, there are certain images that instantly come to mind: Tourists fighting over the most authentic looking "Praado" and "Louis Fuax-tton" bags on Canal Street. Pastrami sandwiches stacked as high as the Chrysler Building lining the windows of Jewish delicatessens. Dimly lit dive bars advertising beer pong tournaments and Pabst Blue Ribbon specials. Clusters of hangover victims hovering on sidewalks seeking refuge from brunch legends like Prune or Clinton Street Baking Company. But a multi-tiered spa that’s as luxurious and posh as most of its uptown competitors, but that offers treatments at half the cost? Never! Well...that was until recently, when on a much needed break from the claustrophobic Lost Girls book editing headquarters (formerly known as our apartment) Amanda and I were lucky enough to stumble upon Mama Spa.

Nestled between a laundromat and a deli on 141 Allen Street near Rivington, this newly opened health spa offers a full menu of services––everything from Aromatherapy and Shiatsu massages to Anti-Wrinkle Facials and Thermal Salt Soaks in their in-house Jacuzzi––all at recession friendly prices. Naturally we felt it our duty to support our local business owners, so “forcing” Holly to join us, we scheduled an afternoon of pampering at Mama Spa. Boasting a spacious relaxation lounge complete with a juice bar, sauna, steam room and rain showers in the changing area, Mama Spa captured our devotion even before we’d donned the plush robes and slippers. And after expelling all the city grime and toxins from my body with a steam/sauna combo, receiving one of the best massages I’ve ever had on either side of the international dateline, and refueling with a complimentary fruit juice and grilled chicken salad (ordered from a local eatery), I was ready to set up camp permanently in this veritable den of Zen. But sadly, the real world beckoned once again and after bidding farewell to the friendly staff we were thrust back into our frenetic New York lives.

Hopefully someday soon, we’ll gather our girlfriends together for a Mama Spa reunion, but until then, we caught up with manager Ying-Thing to find out more about the philosophy behind the spa, the infusion of Eastern practices, and the treatments and services they provide their guests:

1. What inspired the design for the spa?

All the design ideas for the spa were contributed by the owners, Mr. & Mrs. Ma, who wanted to provide customers with a beautiful, tranquil space where they can relax. Mama Spa has simple and essential treatment rooms and a nice garden feel relaxation zone which allows our clients to forget about the hectic city life and getaway from their stresses. We use very soothing decorations to blend into the design to make the whole environment feel calm.

2. What are the five elements represented in the treatment rooms and how would a customer know which one they are?

The five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water, which combine the philosophy of Feng Shui and Chinese Medicine. In our spa, we use color to represent the five elements. Wood = Green, Fire = Red, Earth = Yellow, Metal = White and Water = Black.

If a client has no preference about their element, we would arrange a treatment room for them. However, if the client has a special request to blend into their treatment, we would have our doctor evaluate them and inform them which element they are. To gain the best result from our Spa, we would advise clients to make an appointment with our doctor who will evaluate their element and also advise them about their health awareness.

3. How do you infuse Eastern philosophy into the treatments/services?

Under the Eastern philosophy, we believe that our health is related to pressure points and meridian in the body. We use the method of acupressure & Eastern massage to target these areas in order to improve overall health. These methods reduce stress and also relieve chronic muscle tension. For long-term results, regular treatments are recommended. Types and duration of the treatments will depend on individual health conditions which can be evaluated by our staff.

4. You mentioned that you have a licensed doctor on staff? What services does he provide and what are the prices?

We have a licensed acupuncturist available to our clients for consultation. He performs acupuncture, cupping and various herbal treatments. He also evaluates the client and makes custom recommendations in term of health, diet, and Eastern nutrition. He is available in our spa every Friday from 10:30 to 7:30 p.m. But we can book an appointment for a patient for another day upon request. First time consultation and treatment is $110 per hour. Thereafter, follow up acupuncture & treatment is $75 per hour. If herbal consultation only, it is only $50 per visit.

5. What sets your spa apart from others in Manhattan?
6. Is there a particular reason you chose this location? What was in the space before it was Mama Spa?

(For #5 and #6) The main reason that the spa was setup in this location is that the owners felt an energy “Qi” in this location. It’s very important as they want the client to feel the same thing when they check in. In Eastern philosophy, Qi is part of the energy in our body system. If this location naturally has the Qi, it will blend into our body and give us more energy. Clients will feel refreshed and full of energy after coming to our spa. Whereas, most of the Spas in the town are not looking into the Qi, they are looking into the commercial opportunity. Our spa is meant for treatment and therapy. Qi is very important to us.

The building was vacant before it was spa. No other business ever polluted this space. That’s why the owners felt the “Qi” there. Its purity and virginity makes this place full of energy. Everyone feels very relaxed and totally forgets about the outside world when they visit our spa.

7. What ingredients/product lines do you use at the spa?

We use the Kneipp product line which utilizes only natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Since 1891, Kneipp has been manufacturing products with herbs to provide the same result as natural remedies. It’s one of the leading brands in Europe. The five elements of the Kneipp Philosophy are water, plants, exercise, nutrition and balance. Its philosophy is perfectly matched with our theme. Fusion of Chinese skills and European herbs make our clients love the effect after the treatment.

In addition, our facial products in the treatment rooms and for retail are all natural and organic--Phyt’s and Huiles & Baume are both certified under Cosmebio and EcoCert. By using organic natural ingredients, we bring pure beauty to our clients. Almost all of our clients especially with sensitive skin love this organic skin care line as it is so natural.

8. Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Mama Spa?

We would try to do our best to use Chinese remedies and herbs to help reduce stress of city people and bring a healthier life to them. We wish to bring more knowledge about Chinese remedies to share with Western countries so that we can use natural remedies to cure health problems.

In addition, we will have a talk in the beginning of December regarding Living healthy by using Eastern Philosophy. This talk is open for all clients. Entry is free and refreshments will be served. We will also offer a complimentary doctor evaluation and special promotional rate on massages after the talk.

For additional information on Mama Spa, or to book an appointment, please visit www.organicmamaspa.com or call 212-780-1913.

Select services from their menu include:

Massages

Swedish, Deep Therapeutic, Aromatherapy, Shaitsu, Sports Massage and Back/Shoulder/Neck/Head

$70 for 60 minutes and $100 for 90 minutes (add $15 for Steam & Sauna)

Facials

Basic, Sensitive Skin, Anti-Acne, Deep Pore Cleansing, Revitalizing, Nourishing and Anti-Wrinkle

Range from $70 - $150 for 45 minutes - 90 minutes

Manicure/Pedicure

Kneipp Apple Blossom Mani-Kur - $12 (30 minutes)

Kneipp Classic Pedi-Kur - $25 (30 minutes)

Kneipp Arnica Therapeutic Pedi-Kur - $60 (60 minutes)

Kneipp Moisturizing Pedi-Kur - $45 (45 minutes)

Kneipp Arnica Therapeutic Mani-Kur - $40 (60 minutes)

Foot Reflexology

$55 (30 minutes)

$65 (60 minutes)

Herbal Soak Bath and Thermal Salt Soak

$25 (20 minutes)

Lost in Africa: Molly Gallagher Explores Morocco

2009-11-25T06:00:00.002-05:00

By Molly Gallagher
LG International Correspondent

When I arrived to Morocco I had no idea what to expect. I traveled to the country through a group called Morocco Exchange. The program is meant to give Americans a better understanding of Islam and the cultural differences that exist. I knew nothing about Morocco before I went and I knew very little about Islam, so I wanted to experience the country and religion for myself.

Some things to know before you go:
• Muslims pray five times a day. At some point you will hear the call to prayer. Some Moroccans go to the mosque when they hear the call and others continue on with their day.
• If you are a woman dress modestly. You do not have to cover yourself head to toe, but wear pants, at least a t-shirt, and a sweater or jacket.
• If you buy things at the market—BARGAIN. Often they will say no at first, but if you start to walk away they will most likely lower the price.
• Don’t drink the water! If you are planning to live in Morocco or stay for an extended period of time then start drinking and get used to it, but it you are only there for a few days stick to bottled! It’s not worth being sick.

Cities and Places to Visit:
• Tangier – Located on the northern most coast of Morocco. The city has great views of the Gibraltar.
• Rabat – This is the capital of Morocco. Some things to visit: Roman Ruins of Chellah. The Roman ruins in Rabat are special, because you can walk through the ruins and they are not gated off. The ruins are twenty minutes outside of the center city of Rabat. The Mausoleum contains the tombs of King Mohammed V (current King of Morocco’s grandfather) and his sons. The building in which they are buried is beautiful and covered in Moorish style tiles.

• Asilah - A town close to Tangier in northern Morocco. It is on the Atlantic Coast. There are white washed walls throughout the entire city and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. An arts festival takes place in the city once a year, so there are several wall murals all over the city.
• Rif Mountains – We visited a portion of the Rif mountain range in the northern part of Morocco.
• Chefchaouen – Also in the north, but not on the coast. This was the most touristy town I visited, but still beautiful. The buildings are all white and blue-washed. If you go, take a walk in the morning outside of the city gate to see the village while locals are heading to work and school, as well as to see amazing views of the town. The markets in Chefchauouen were a little cheaper than Rabat, so if you go to both cities wait to do your shopping in Chefchauouen

Food to Try:
• Couscous – In Morocco Couscous is traditionally eaten on Friday’s, because Friday is a religious day. In Morocco, couscous is made with potatoes, carrots, onions, chicken, zucchini and other vegetables. Moroccans eat the dish with a spoon or with their hands.
• Chicken Tajine – This chicken dish is stewed in a sauce similar to curry. However, the sauce contains olives and lemons. It is served with vegetables or potatoes.
• Bastilla – This food is a delicacy in Morocco. Moroccans serve it as restaurants, for special occasions or at weddings. The dish is a mixture of eggs, almonds, and chicken (sometimes seafood) encased in a pastry and topped with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
• Fresh Fruit – Especially the pomegranates and clementines
• Pastry Shop Treats – Visit a local shop to sample the bread and any sweet pastry!

Casseroles for Cancer Part II: To Travel Well, You Need Sparkle

2009-11-24T06:01:00.005-05:00

Last summer, Blair Hickman retraced a 12,000 mile cross-country road trip in memory of her mom, who died from cancer in 2003. The girls retraced a path their mom had taken in 1977, serving dinner at 9 Ronald McDonald Houses and raising money for the charity along the way to raise awareness about the importance of non-medical support for families living with cancer. They blogged and vlogged the whole way, raised over $7,000 for the charity and in the end, found a little more than they’d bargained for.
****
I like the Container Store. I like shelves and drawer dividers and label makers, and if my time abroad in Prague taught me anything, it was that I hate living out of a backpack and spending more than 6 hours in a row with any single person. So was it a little stupid throw myself into a car with 2 other people and six weeks’ worth of stuff, including office supplies? Maybe.

From Chattanooga to Austin, we stayed in hotels and showered every day. We had to film the intro to our webisodes five times because I wanted to do it my way and turned into a bitch every time Stephanie, our resident film maker, told me that I needed more “sparkle.” My lack of personal space and inability to keep Stephanie from going to a bar and singing along with the pianist until 2 am caused daily nervous breakdowns.

And then we went to Western Texas.

I spent the first six hours in Western Texas thinking “I hate Western Texas.” The roads in this part of the country stretch on to nothing but sky, and every 30 minutes or so, you pass a cow or a house and wonder where, exactly, its food comes from. It’s the type of place that prompts comments like “I think this is a two-way road now; you might want to get in the other lane” and had me hoping I didn’t have to pee for the next 100 miles. I spent the majority of my time in the back seat, practicing breathing exercises and trying to ignore the fact that Stephanie had played the Taylor Swift CD three times in a row.
Ten hours into our drive, just before we hit our scheduled stop for the night, we passed the most American of American things: a drive-in! Despite growing up in the hills of Tennessee, I’ve never been and got a little too excited when I saw their double feature was “A Night at the Museum II” and “Up.” We screwed the hotel and parked it on the hood of Black Betty under the stars. It had finally reached a cool 77 degrees, and we even had to grab a blanket from the car. “Perhaps the netherlands aren’t so bad,” I thought.
Around 1 am, we pulled into the first hotel in the first town we passed--Hobbs, New Mexico. The man who checked us in had a rattail and wasn’t wearing any shoes, and our rooms were so gross that I slept on top of the bed, woke up at 7 am and proclaimed that we were leaving. In our groggy state, we left our donated video camera in the parking lot. An hour and a half later, Steph realized the camera was missing. We sped back to the hotel, but when we got there, at 9:30 am, it was already gone.

“Oh, yep,” the police said as we filed our report, “You guys were on the bad side of town.”

“What’s the bad side of town? It only takes 5 mintues to drive through Hobbs.”
“The side with all the hotels.”
Steph and I got into a screaming match at a gas station just outside of Hobbs, and I left her in the parking lot in the middle of the desert. Kelsea took the wheel away from both of us, and I sat in the front, watching the desert fly by, with nothing but my thoughts and a handful of Spanish radio stations.
The nearest electronics store was 5 hours up the road in Santa Fe, and though I really just wanted to get the camera, Kelsea forced us to stop in Roswell. Her holy grail. It’s a funny little town that seems to operate solely off its legends, slapping the word UFO on every storefront and sticking alien heads on all of their light poles. We took 45 minutes to stroll through the UFO Museum and then went across the street for alien paraphernalia. Sifting through a rack of t-shirts, I found a hot pink Hanes tee with a black silk screen of an alien. He looked a little confused, standing over just 4 words:

It’s not my fault.

Our motto from the beginning of the trip. We cracked up and bought four of them, and then went next door and convinced a café owner to re-open just for five minutes so we could get some lattes. We went back to the car laughing so hard we were crying. And Stephanie got behind the wheel.
When we got to the Best Buy in Santa Fe, they gave us another camera and set us up in a hotel for free. We were in town for two nights, stayed in two separate hotels, and though we heard that Santa Fe had a million billion fun things to do, we can’t tell you one thing about the city except for the things we read on the Internet. We’d started to get kind of tired. Which was actually fine, because we also found that we had the best times in hotel rooms and/or in the car. We just cracked jokes and farted and ate and laughed and then farted some more because we were laughing. After only one week, we had digressed to childhood, and we seemed to work best that way because when we went out in public, we just lost things and bitched at each other and got lost. So instead, we stayed in the car and drove through Starbucks. Steph and I were always on a mission. Grande soy skinny vanilla latte! Double double! Iced coffee, double Splenda! And then, Kelsea….”Uuuuummm….I think I’ll tryyyy….”
And for the first time, I started to get what traveling was really all about.

Book Review: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress

2009-11-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

by Blair Hickman
LG Book Reviewer

In Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, author Rhoda Janzen has a botched hysterectomy that leaves her incontinent, carrying her pee bag in a patent, aqua tote for months. Shortly after, her husband of 15 years, already bipolar and psychologically abusive, leaves her for Bob the Guy from Gay.com. And that very same week, driving on snowy back roads to a home that she can no longer afford, she gets into a debilitating car wreck. Talk about rough.

Bruised and battered, Janzen returns home to her Mennonite community, expecting quiet time to work and save money. Instead, she reintroduces herself to the Mustard Seed Praise Quartet, platz and her mother’s unapologetic flatulence. The book doesn’t have much of a plot, per se, but Janzen’s immaculate attention to detail creates rich scenes that give readers a peek into her eccentric family, and Mennonite life from the perspective of an insider gone rogue.

And what an entertaining peek it is. Her father, the “equivalent of the Mennonite Pope, with plaid shorts and black socks,” is a stoic, frugal man who refuses to purchase anything not on the Dollar menu at McDonald’s, and her upbeat, optimistic mother, by far the best character in this book, never fails to surprise. She tries to set Janzen up with her first cousin, who drives a tractor, mind you, has no qualms with bodily functions and will drink tuna juice straight from the can, exclaiming ‘Schmeckt gut! Tastes like tooooona!”

Every scene—from Mennonite food to road trips to the ban on dancing in her high school—is flat-out funny. I sat alone in my apartment at 9 pm on Halloween night in a toga, laughing at this book and wondering if I should fulfill my evening obligations. It’s that good.

But the real beauty of this book lies in Janzen’s ability to make deadpan jokes about pee bags next to honest insights and questions about our own morality. “Can a skeptic ever be anything but a skeptic?,” she asks. “Can a loner ever come to cherish group think?” or “Is it ever a waste of time to love someone truly, deeply, with everything you have?” She never wallows in her sorrow, and most of these questions come near the end of the book, a darker section and the only one where Janzen fully addresses her break from her community and the decline of her hazardous marriage. The book’s humor may drive its momentum, but it’s this ending, where we hear Janzen’s inner struggle, acceptance and release, that holds the book together.

Janzen is first and foremost a poet and a scholar, and her expansive vocabularly and academic tendencies occasionally serve the story and occasionally don’t. And she does have a tendency to ramble, what seems like a slight lack of control over a narrative work of such length. That said, this is her first narrative work of this kind, and it still sparkles and shines. I would pick up a sequel in a heartbeat.

As avid travelers, Lost Girls readers will especially appreciate this book. Returning to your roots after time away can be a difficult, enlightening and terrifying thing; Janzen portrays it all with hilarious prose and touching insights that remind us that sometimes, we all just need to go home and have some Platz (find another Mennonite food).

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home
published by Henry Holt and Company, 2009
* * * * 1/2 stars (out of 5)

You can support the Lost Girls site by buying the book now:

7 Holiday Airfare Savers and Ticket Tips

2009-11-20T06:00:00.002-05:00

by Patty Hodapp
LG Travel Lifestyle Editor

Flying home for the holidays has the potential to be a total bank buster. You’re already saving up extra cash to buy presents for your family, so the last thing you want to worry about is setting aside extra money for a plane ticket to get home—especially during one of the worst economic crunches our country has ever experienced. But before you phone home to tell Mom and Dad you're opting out of family festivities this year in order to save cash, try these easy money-saving tips from David, our travel specialist at Airtrek.com. Whether you’re traveling across the country or just across the state, you'll still get home in time to give—and receive—your gifts.

1. It pays not to procrastinate “Prices will not go down,” says David. “It’s like reservations at a restaurant. Once the seat is gone, it’s gone. So book early! Sometimes it’s cheaper to fly on Christmas day, but that’s only if you take your chances that there will be a seat open, and this late in the season, I highly doubt it." So, if you haven’t booked yet, get on the phone with an agent and do it now. Tip for next year: Don’t let September go by without booking your flight home for Christmas.” To get the best possibly flight price, you need at least three months in advance,” says David.

2. Connect, connect, connect You can get anywhere in the United States with one connection. Most airlines only use two connections if you’re going to a very small airport. Business travelers fly direct because they want to get to their destination as quickly as possible, so if you have a few hours to spare, take advantage of a connection. “You’ll end up paying twice as much, or more, for a direct flight in most cases,” says David.

2. Bigger is (typically) better Learn what airports are in your area and shop around. “Newark is almost always cheaper than JFK, and L.A. has at least three main airports,” says David. “Keep in mind a smaller airport doesn’t necessarily mean more expensive tickets. It depends where you are flying and what time of the year, so keep your search wide.”

3. Watch out for forecasting websites While they are a worthwhile resource, these websites predict air ticket prices based on the previous year’s prices during that time so they are not always that accurate, David warns. “The rule of thumb is to book as early as possible, at least three months in advance.”

4. Stay through Saturday night Business travelers only travel Monday to Friday, so airlines know they can charge through the roof for tickets not booked to include a Saturday night stay. “If you stay the weekend and fly home Monday, your ticket price will almost always be reduced by a third,” says David. No matter where you’re going, try to stay Saturday night so your ticket will be distinguished from business travelers’ tickets.

5. Know when NOT to be your own travel agent Most airlines charge you a $20 booking fee when you call their 1-800 number and book through an agent. If you prefer talking to an agent, get the flight numbers priced out, go online, find the same flight and book it yourself for $20+ less. BUT, says David, if you are booking holiday flights this late in the season, call an agent because they may be able to make you cheaper connections than a computer website that generates high fares during this time.

6. Less luggage is more It’s important to have your cute pea coats, sweaters, jeans, blouses, a nice holiday dress, your blow dryer, your makeup bags and (let’s not forget) your family’s presents, but airlines are charging through the roof for extra bags. Most airlines will charge you $20 to $40 for your first piece of checked luggage, and much more for a second piece. If you can pack lightly, buy a carry-on size suitcase. Luggage charges are expensive and easily forgettable until you roll up to the check in counter. Southwest is the only domestic airline that doesn’t charge for luggage, so unless you’re lucky to score a SW ticket, expect hefty charges for every bag you bring.

7. Cash in on travel deals for education For students, travelers under 26, or teachers, STA Travel is a website designed to find the best airfare. It works like a regular airfare search engine, but it offers exclusive student deals and specials that regular search engines don’t get. It’s hit or miss depending on where you’re traveling, but it’s worth a look.

David’s Warning: There is a laptop thief in the JFK airport that has been stealing people’s laptops as they put them through security, so keep an eye on your things at all times. Also, remember baggage carousels aren’t guarded so someone can easily snatch your suitcase. Don’t pack valuables in your bag.

Have a safe and happy holidays!

The LG Weekly News Roundup: 11.19.09

2009-11-19T09:48:00.007-05:00

Finally! Disney unleashed the first official wait time app for mobile phones. Updated in real time, the app will map out wait times on popular rides and character lines at its parks.
The catch? The program only works on Verizon Wireless phones…and it doesn’t include Blackberrys or the new Motorola Droid. Factor in the Disney-fied $9.99 price tag, and this all seems a little inaccessible. A couple suggestions: Check out a (free!) third-party app, or cough up the cash for the Fast Pass.
Source: New York Times

Flying under the influence
If flying makes you nervous, stop reading now. At least 12 commercial pilots in the last year tested positive for alcohol when heading to the cockpit, according to the FAA. That means those pilots had a blood alcohol content of more than 0.04 percent, or half the legal limit for drivers in most states. The silver lining: No U.S. airline has had a crash because of inebriated pilots. Still, let’s keep the flowing drinks behind the curtain. Source: USA Today

Swipe it!
Beginning Dec. 1, Delta joins the ranks of Southwest, American and United to stop accepting cash for food, drinks and other purchases in-air. This makes sense from a traveler’s point of view — no need to worry about exchange rates or converting Euros to greenbacks — but also seems a little spendthrifty. After one or two mini Merlot bottles, that SkyMall Lawn Ghoul might look all the more attractive. Ok. Maybe not.
Source: Jaunted

On the road, but nowhere to "go"

Rest stops are just the next victim of budget cuts. Several states have cut highway-side pit stops to save money, and road trippers have noticed. Virginia closed 19 of its 42 stops, and Georgia has saved at least $600,000 by shuttering just two roadside rest areas. At least it’s not all bad news: In California, the Shandon Roadside Rest Area on Highway 46 is using economic stimulus money to rebuild rest centers.
Source: Chicago Tribune

Lost in South Africa: A Look Back on Johannesburg

2009-11-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

By Courtney Brooks

LG International Correspondent

I left Johannesburg about six weeks ago to move to Cape Town and work as a freelancer for an international press agency, as well as do a photography project for my school. Even now I haven't completely reconciled my feelings about Joburg.

There’s not doubt that Johannesburg is one of the most interesting places I have ever lived. If I had to pick one word to describe it I would say “intense,” because it’s true whether you’re in the swanky northern suburbs, the townships or the city center. The poverty is intense, the crime is intense and the security is intense.

It sometimes felt to me like the middle and upper class residents thought they were living in the New York of Africa – and it certainly has the components of big buildings, beautiful people and chic restaurants and clubs. But to me it always felt more like Las Vegas. There’s a certain obsession with wealth – what kind of car you drive, where you live, where your clothes are from – that I had never experienced firsthand before. And having this love affair with money juxtaposed against the devastating poverty of townships just a few minutes down the road is totally bizarre.

I also think Joburg has retained a bit of the feeling of living in a wild frontier town. The city was established when gold was discovered in 1886, and opportunists looking to get rich set the tone for Joburg’s attitude and energy. Maybe that early history, combined with the incredible protests and tension during apartheid, and finally the rampant crime there today, has created this place where you live on the edge, and always feel on edge.

While I was there I often felt the need to escape the city and go somewhere more peaceful, but since I left I've felt it drawing me back. I miss the drama, especially from a journalistic perspective. I didn’t love Joburg the way I love Cape Town, but it felt much more real to me. For anyone truly wanting to understand and experience South Africa, Johannesburg is a must.

This quote is from one of my favorite books, “When a Crocodile Eats the Sun: A Memoir of Africa,” by journalist Peter Godwin. It is actually about his experiences in Zimbabwe, but perfectly describes the way I feel about Johannesburg.

“In Africa, you do not view death from the auditorium of life, as a spectator, but from the edge of the stage, waiting only for your cue. You feel perishable, temporary, transient. You feel mortal. Maybe that is why you seem to live more vividly in Africa. The drama of life there is amplified by its constant proximity to death. That’s what infuses it with tension. It is the essence of its tragedy too. People love harder there. Love is the way that life forgets that it is terminal. Love is life’s alibi in the face of death.”

Photo Credit: (Top) street riot image from www.nytimes.com

Casseroles for Cancer Part I: How Not to Go to South East Asia

2009-11-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

This summer, Blair Hickman retraced a 12,000 mile cross-country road trip in memory of her mom, who died from cancer in 2003. Along with her sister and best friend, the three girls retraced a path their mom had taken in 1977, serving dinner at 9 Ronald McDonald Houses and raising money for the charity along the way to raise awareness about the importance of non-medical support for families living with cancer. They blogged and vlogged the whole way, raised over $7,000 for the charity and in the end, found a little more than they’d bargained for.
***
On January 7, 2009, I fell off my oven and broke my foot. I’d spent the day wandering around Manhattan, looking for a spark of enthusiasm over the fact that I’d just subletted my apartment to travel in South East Asia. Instead, I’d only managed to read 4 books on Vietnam and look at them all like moldy bags of cheese. So really, it’s only fitting that when I climbed on the counter to get a spice, as I had so many times before, I stepped on the oven door, which opened, slammed my foot into the cabinets on the other side, and rendered me disabled for 6 weeks.

To understand the rest of this story, you have to know about my mother. She passed away from a 6-year battle with cancer in 2003, when I was 17 and my little sister was 13. Since then, I’ve lived my life as her legacy, guided by logic, integrity and responsibility. That’s why, after I graduated college, I got a job as a headhunter for banking and financial services, even though I wanted to be a bum with my boyfriend all summer and then travel the world.

The second thing you need to know—and what’s really crucial to this story—is that my mom was/is a controlling, bossy bitch. I say this with the utmost love. Our lives together were an endless screaming match, each trying to convince the other she was right, but every fight, at least on her end, revolved around what was best for me.

From the day I graduated to the day I broke my foot, she’d been screaming at me. I started my job on July 7, 2008 and hated it, so she made sure I was laid off on November 7. Then I chose to South East Asia for all the wrong reasons, a topic far too complicated to get into here, but she knew it was wrong and made sure I broke my foot on January 7. Now, I’m not particularly religious, but I have to believe that if I got laid off, planned a trip to the tropics and then broke my foot because I fell off the oven, then my mother had to have been involved.

So instead of tubing in Laos, I spent 6 weeks on the couch in my fourth floor walk-up during a Manhattan winter. I thought a lot, and ate a lot of Oreos, and long story short, my sister and I decided that my post-graduate, post-corporate world time would best be spent retracing a road trip that my mom and three college girlfriends had taken during the summer of 1977. We would serve casseroles, the ultimate Southern comfort food, at 9 different Ronald McDonald Houses along the way to raise awareness about the importance of non-medical support for families living with cancer. And we’d do the whole thing as a fundraiser in her name.

The local paper in Chattanooga, TN picked up our story and ran a feature in the Lifestyle section. FOX news saw the write-up and asked to do a series of webisodes and Stephanie, our childhood best friend who now lived in Canada and would join us on the trip, was a broadcast major who knew how to shoot and edit video. In retrospect, planning a major fundraiser in six weeks is not the smartest move, but fate…or at least our mother…seemed to be on our side.

On June 7, we packed Kelsea’s 2001 Chevy Blazer, affectionately dubbed Black Betty, and took off from Chattanooga, TN to New Orleans. Right after we spent three hours in a Wal-Mart parking on the roof of the car, trying to put the topper on the right way. God help us all.

Movie Travel: In Search of Twilight

2009-11-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

by Sarah Amandolare
LG Entertainment Editor

I’ve never been a vampire fan – I have vague memories of Brad Pitt’s pony-tailed appearance in Interview with a Vampire. But it seems the fanged creatures, like Twitter and overpriced coffee, are something I’ve got to make peace with. Main characters Bella and Edward have so enamored audiences that it’s almost impossible to get through the day without hearing someone say “Twilight.” The film, inspired by Stephanie Meyer’s book, has even trickled down to travel, particularly to corners of Washington State where portions were filmed.

The second installment “New Moon” arrives in theaters November 20, prompting Washington State Tourism to launch a Twilight-themed section on its site. The page contains insights into three destinations: Forks, a blue-collar logging town; La Push, a coastal community; and Port Angeles, which caters to outdoorsy types.

Of the three, La Push seems most enticing, due partly to its close proximity to Cape Flattery. The cape is the furthest northwest point in the U.S., and has a thriving population of sea lions—check out this Lonely Planet video of Cape Flattery’s coastal scenery and wildlife. Another plus is La Push’s crescent-shaped First Beach, where whales are visible during migration season.

La Push itself is also intriguing. The Quileute Tribe calls the village home, and the peoples’ preference for laid back, slow living permeates the coastal enclave. Most hotels lack TV and telephones, and a single restaurant and 15 relatively new “luxury cabins” are the most flashy amenities travelers will find there, according to northwestplaces.com. But ravenous “Twilight” fans are likely to descend soon, and with them a swell of changes could arrive.

Sydney Series: Our Final Wrap Up of Fave Moments

2009-11-13T12:15:00.009-05:00

Sydney was our last stop on our round-the-world trip, and we have plenty of amazing memories from living "Down Under." Now 'til mid-November, we're going to be recalling our favorite Sydney moments. At the end of each post, you'll find out how to get the chance to make your own memories in Oz by entering to win a trip to Sydney (the organizers extended the deadline for entry!)

*****
LGs: This week, we’re wrapping up our Sydney series, and we must say, we’re a little sad to end our reminiscences of one of our favorite cities in the world. Not to diss NYC or anything (perish the thought!) but if Oz weren’t so far away from our families and best friends, we’d almost certainly relocate our offices there. For this final post, we thought we’d wax nostalgic about some of our lesser-known favorite spots and moments from our RTW trip and Amanda’s return to Oz for Vivid Sydney earlier this year. In no particular order they are:

Favorite spot to grab cheap, yummy tuna avocado rolls: Sushi Train, multiple locations across Sydney
For the uninitiated, this rolling chuck wagon of freshly prepared rolls, sashimi, edamame, seaweed salads and more is just about the greatest thing that a sushi lover could come across in her life. Belly up to the bar, grab one of the small plates (color-coded to indicate the price) and get to eating as quickly as you can pick up your chopsticks. The best location, in our opinion, is the Sushi Train on Bondi Beach—you can sit outside and watch the surfers catching a break just about a hundred yards away.

Favorite neighborhood: Surry Hills
Bondi is a mecca for backpackers and boarders alike, but during Amanda’s recent trip to Sydney, she fell in love with this once down-at-heel destination, and reported on it for PeterGreenberg.com. Until recently, the inner city suburb immediately southeast of the Central Business District used to be one of the city’s most notorious slums: Gangs ruled the narrow streets and lanes; the working-class neighborhood was massively overcrowded; seedy bars and brothels were as common then as coffee shops and designer boutiques are today. Now, “Slurry Hills” as the locals still wryly refer to it, has been completely revitalized, and transformed into one of the city’s chicest and most desirable neighborhood: a place where emerging designers and artists put out their shingles. It’s also a true foodie destination, with dining options reflecting the area’s melting-pot heritage—Cajun, Lebanese, Russian, Mauritian, Thai, and Singaporean restaurants are all within a few blocks of each other on Crown Street, the main thoroughfare.

Favorite places to grab a drink: See below
Okay, so we couldn't pick just one spot, since Sydney boasts oh so many fun locations to get your martini on. Where you should go to sip really depends on your current state of mind. If you want to surround yourself with gorgeously clad businessmen eager to buy a gal a drink right after they finish work, head to The Establishment, a stylishly designed, marble clad bar located within the hotel of the same name. Be prepared to socialize: As we discovered, if you happen to have an American accent, you won't find yourself wanting for company very long!

For the young trendsters among you, check out the bar at the Beach Road Hotel. What makes this casual multi-level venue so interesting isn’t the space itself, but the people within it. You could spend hours entertaining yourself by analyzing the bold, colorful ensembles of the guests and pretend (much as they do in the LES of NYC) that they’re too cool to care about anything—except of course, their next beer.

If you really want to make a night out of it, gather up a crew of friends and get yourself past the velvet rope at The Ivy, a year old mega-venue that boasts a swimming pool and different lounge or club on each floor. The celebs that visit Sydney almost always make their way here: when Amanda was there earlier this year, she spotted the rock star Pink and her man Carey Hart grooving on the dance floor.

Favorite Place to Sweat Indoors: Fitness First
You may ask yourself why anyone would confine themselves to a gym when they could be surfing, sailing, biking or hell, just plain relaxing in a place as outdoor-focused as Sydney. But when attempting to burn off the pudge gained by pigging out on naan in India and noodles in Southeast Asia, sometimes a Lost Girl just needs a bit of structure. Fitness First, a state of the art gym located in the Bondi Junction shopping center, provided just that—along with state of the art equipment, a jam-packed class schedule and a killer view of the skyline (not to mention more than one hot guy working the weight machines). We actually looked forward to our workouts here, but had to laugh at the horrible jokes used over and over again by our instructors—pretending your body bar is a guitar and jamming out doesn’t inspire us to do additional reps!

****
For more fun moments in Sydney, don’t rely on us—experience them for yourself. Enter the contest below, and send us your favorite stories after you win and visit the Land Down Under!
The folks at Tourism New South Wales are offering two winners a trip to Sydney for themselves and a friend including airfare on V Australia, seven nights accommodation and an exclusive ticket to experience at least five of the most “life enhancing” activities that the city has to offer, such as:

• Learning to Surf at Bondi Beach
• Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Sailing on Sydney Harbour
• Going behind the scenes at Sydney Opera House

To enter, simply click here or go to http://www.facebook.com/seesydney?v=app_17037175766 and follow these steps:

1. Click on the "Win a Dream Sydney Vacation" button
2. Enter your contact info
3. Become a fan of Sydney, Australia on Facebook
4. On the Sydney, Australia Facebook Wall write in 30 words or less about a Sydney experience you've had, or would want to have.

The organizers have extended the deadline and the contest will now be running from now through November 15th! Get your entries in now, and we'll see you Down Under!

Free Tours: Sandeman's New Europe

2009-11-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

By Molly Gallagher
LG International Correspondent

When my friends and I arrived in Prague we spent the first day wandering the city. We went to the castle, old town square, and the Charles Bridge. However, we didn’t really know what we were looking at. We decided we wanted to take a tour to learn about the city while we explored it, because the city and country are filled with so much history. My friends found a brochure that said in big letters, “Free Tour!” At the bottom of the brochure it said that the tours run on a tip only basis. I thought: there has to be a catch. The next day my friends dragged a very skeptical Molly to the tour’s meeting area.

There were over 40 people who showed up for Sandeman’s New Europe Tour. The guides split the group into two and with a guide for each group. The tour lasted three hours and we walked through the entire city (or at least it felt like it). Each of us tipped 50 crown, or about $2.00. There was no pressure at the end of the tour to give a tip and the guides were not pushy. The guides will also give you advice on where to eat, buy souvenirs, what public transportation to take, etc. These tours are ideal for people on a budget and especially college students studying abroad. They allow you to explore and learn about a city without paying too much. Here are some more details about Sandeman’s New Europe Tours.

Where Tours Are Offered:
Germany
-Berlin
-Munich
-Hamburg
Israel
-Tel-Aviv
-Jerusalem
Belgium
-Brussels
England
-London
Scotland
-Edinburgh
The Netherlands
-Amsterdam
Ireland
-Dublin
France
-Paris
Spain
-Madrid
*Tours in Madrid are suspended until 2010
Czech Republic
-Prague

Sandeman’s New Europe usually offers several different tours in each of their cities. If you want to take one of their FREE TOURS in a city go to their Web site: http://www.neweuropetours.eu/ and click on the city you are visiting. It will give you information about where to meet for the tour and on other tours they offer. I also took the Montmarte tour in Paris, which was 8 euro, but well worth it. This is not a scam. The company wants to provide a service to everyone, without charging a fortune. If you go on a tour and hate your guide, don’t tip. If you love your guide and thought it was great, then give a tip that you think is reasonable.

BONUS- for the tours that you pay for (not the trademark FREE TOUR) show your Student ID and get a discount!

The LG Weekly News Roundup: 11.12.09

2009-11-12T12:22:00.005-05:00

by Molly Fergus
LG Travel News Editor

Missed the big travel stories of the week? And the weird, wacky and insignificant ones? We've got your round-up right here....

******************************************
Riding the free rails
Way to go, Amtrak! The broke and sometimes busted train service is finally taking steps to snag passengers from airlines and cheap-o bus companies — by adding free in-ride WiFi to its Acela trains in 2010. Many of the newer Amtrak cars already have outlets and big enough tray-tops to actually fit a normal laptop, so this seems like a savvy next step. The only question: Is a lengthier trip worth some uninterrupted email (or, um, Hulu) time?
Source: Bloomberg

Good giving
If the last time you counted volunteer hours was for high school graduation, check out Sage Hospitality’s “Give a Day, Get a Night” program. Any guests who have completed at least eight hours of community service for a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit by March 29, 2010 are eligible for 50 percent off — or even a free night — at more than 50 hotels across the U.S. Now that should give you the warm fuzzies.
Source: Sage Hospitality

Hotel peepshow
Who says print media is dead? A Rare World, a new luxury hotel travel magazine, is betting on a resurrection. The 10-times-a-year publication boasts a steep $200 subscription tag and claims to offer peeks inside the exclusive world of really, really, rich travelers. Check out a preview edition online (https://arareworld.com/) and decide whether armchair travel is worth $20 a month.
Source: Hotel Chatter

Fly safe
Here’s a policy to stand behind: Lawmakers want to pass a bill that will prohibit the use of laptops and other electronic devices in airline cockpits. The proposal comes after a Minneapolis-bound Northwest Airlines flight missed the Twin Cities by 150 miles because the pilot and co-pilot were fiddling with a new crew schedule on their laptops. Electronic devices, such as MP3 players, DVDs and laptops, are not yet specifically banned from cockpits. Given how difficult it can be to even walk and text, let’s hope for a confident “aye!” on this one.
Source: USA Today

Five Best Meals In The World

2009-11-11T12:17:00.006-05:00

Danielle Alvarez is a globetrotter, at least that's what the world of blogging foodies knows her as. In June of 2008, the multiethnic Lost Girl departed for a year abroad, (one semester in Santiago de Chile, another in Strasbourg, France) in hopes of becoming trilingual and finding her true self. While traveling/eating her way through South America and Europe, she sought out traditional flavors, whole ingredients, and a balanced lifestyle... and has the many pictures to prove it. Now, back in the United States, she is readjusting to the thrills of everyday life as a magazine journalism and modern foreign languages senior at Syracuse University. With a deeper appreciation of culture and diversity, she hopes to travel again soon but until then, occupies her free time with the friends she'd missed, channeling her inner-yogi, reading and, enjoying one of life's greatest pleasures, food. Check out what she's currently up to on her personal food, health and travel blog: Around the World in 340 Days.
***
Studying abroad for an entire year is daunting, and yet fulfilling in more ways than I ever thought possible. An exposure of diversity (be it in culture, language, or… food) is an unavoidable and wonderful part of the daily challenges of life in a foreign country. It's beautiful, really, those differences that bring about such exciting flavors and creative presentations of ethnic dishes and this past year I have been lucky enough to have a thorough taste of many of them.

When asked by the Lost Girls to share my five favorite meals of a nearly a year of traveling… I was flabbergasted, to say the least. I’ve eaten some of the best breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, than I probably ever will be able to again, and have the documented memories of nearly every single one. How could I possibly choose?

As it turns out, it wasn’t nearly as difficult as I had expected. Living as a temporary expat, I was able to sample every local specialty and as such, these exotic meals became a part of my familiar routine. I’ve decided to reserve the “home-cooking” for future posts and instead highlight the most wonderful, once in–a-lifetime eating experiences from my weekend trips and daily excursions. (And, just so you know, I’ve organized them by date of consumption.)

The country of Ecuador blew my away by their array of fruits and vegetables, many of which I had never seen before, and as a result, have no direct translation into the English language. It was exciting to work my way through their bountiful produce but my most memorable plate turned out to be rather simple in the plant food respect.

Being that I was only there for a month and my weekends were all booked with class trips… except for one. Noticing that I was feeling a bit homesick at that point, my family took me on a trip outside the charming city of Cuenca to the El Chorro waterfall.

It was absolutely breathtaking, to say the least, and my 15-year-old host sister and I took the strenuous hike to the top. Needless to say, by the time we got back down to the bottom we were exhausted, and famished. We all went to a small family-run restaurant nearby for the biggest meal of the day, lunch, and that is where I had my first fresh river trout. It was not quite as photogenic as most fish are served in the US but as mild and flavorful as the best of them, marinated in a lemon butter sauce and grilled. On the side, a simpler variety of llapingachos, or potato cheese patties, and eggs mixed with hominy (corn without the germ).
The second meal comes from Santiago, Chile, where I spent the majority of my South American study abroad experience. Despite the modernity of the evolving Chilean culture and food industries I found that my favorites were far more traditional, some plates tracing as far back as to that of the Mapuches, one of the largest native populations in Chile.

With my abroad program I was able to visit a Mapuche community that's kept their cultural roots. In addition to an explanation of their religion, music, and customs we were served a fantastic lunch.

The Sopa de Porotos, was perhaps the best lentil soup I have ever and will ever try again, satisfying, and beyond tasty. To scoop it up we each had a sopapilla, a particular fried pastry that’s similar to bread. The final part of the meal, the piñones, really won me over. They’re delectable roasted nuts of the pinon pine tree and are comparable to chestnuts.

My home base for the next four months was Strasbourg, France, a city directly east of Paris on the border of Germany. During that time I traveled often, and as a result one of most memorable trips was not outside of France but just a few hours away in the Champagne region.

What I loved most about living in France were the multi-plate dinners, especially at restaurants where the le Menu, a dining option of an appetizer, main course, and dessert, was oftentimes affordable. While in Rheims, my friends and I dined at the Bristol Café. Saying that we ate well, is an understatement.

I claim to be a healthy eater and for the majority of the time, I am, but certain times call for certain indulgences. My split-pea vegetable soup, and salmon and spinach dish were balanced enough, so for dessert my foodie friends and I chose the profiterole au chocolat. Otherwise known as a puff pastry filled with ice cream and garnished with chocolate syrup and whipped cream it was, beyond, divine.

As I’m talking about sweets, I’d also like to highlight those of Hungary. Over my spring break I stayed with family friends in Budapest and was showered with utmost hospitality. I enjoyed plate after plate of Hungarian classics, usually focused on meat, but as a former complete vegetarian, I found myself fonder of what came after and in between.

Although a self-proclaimed chocolate lover, I am usually not that keen on sugary things, so this was big. I found that Hungarian sweets and fine pastries were hardly that sweet at all and instead played up on natural flavors such as fruit. My traveling companion and I were enamored with these peach krémes, homemade by our hosts, and ate them as an afternoon snack during one of our city excursions.

Finally, last but certainly not least, a meal to highlight my new cuisine infatuation. Strasbourg, among other European cities, boasts many Lebanese restaurants, one of which was situated a block from my French host family’s apartment. I had been eyeing it all semester and then, on my final weekend abroad, I had the opportunity to dine there and have my first, though hopefully not last, glass of Lebanese wine.

For my meal, my friend and I split the Mezzés Végetariens. Between the hummus, eggplant caviar, labná, falafel, spinach turnover, mashed peppers and walnuts with olive oil, my mouth and I were beyond ecstatic. Although casseroles and one-dish meals have their place in the world, eating many small plates brings an extra dimension of fun to a meal, especially if they all taste good, and they did. I’ve officially added Lebanon to the Places to Visit list.

There aren’t words to describe how eating my way around the world, in 340 days, was, but I look forward to reflecting on it with you in the future. In the mean time I invite to try something new, taste something unique, explore my own blog if you’d like, and discover the incredible kitchen that we live in, in addition to the special groups of people within it.

Bring Me That Horizon

2009-11-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

by Jessica Goldstein
LG Adventure Editor

Here is something you may have noticed: It’s a big, big world out there. Shining, shimmering, splendid, etc. There’s home, and then there’s everywhere else. What is it exactly that makes us want to bolt from our roots and go someplace completely foreign?

I am a traveling junky and I blame Oregon Trail. For those of you who weren’t born into that late ‘80s, too-young-for-Cabbage-Patch-Dolls-and-a-little-too-old-for-Beanie-Babies generation, Oregon Trail was a computer game for elementary school kids about the great American road trip circa 1848: a Conestoga wagon trek from Independence, Missouri to — you guessed it — Oregon. My childhood dreams of reaching Willamette Valley were always thwarted; every time I tried to ford the river, my oxen died (I died shortly thereafter from dysentery, naturally). I never reached that glorious pixilated destination and I guess I never got over it. Reading lots of Kerouac and watching all those Mary Kate and Ashley travel around the globe movies as an adolescent probably did not help.

That’s just my story, but the truth is it’s not shocking I caught adventure fever. That’s what Americans do: we move. We couldn’t wait to jump on ships to get here, and ever since we arrived, we’ve been fixated on getting someplace else. We ventured west into the wilderness until we hit water and then, still unsatisfied, switched gears and rocketed off to the moon. The surprising thing would be if we all decided to stay put.

And now, London! I’ve been here a month, which feels like so much time and also no time at all. For my semester abroad, I’m studying English (England seemed like a good place to do that), exploring the city and using the UK as a launching pad for other European misadventures.

Expat Guides, Vol. 1: Getting around

For the first four days, I got lost everywhere I went. Imagine a drunk toddler. Give said toddler a crayon. Ask him to draw straight lines on a piece of paper. Then imagine the City Planner of London seeing those squiggles and saying, “These would make PERFECT roads!” Assign someone with a cruel sense of humor to name these streets. Roads here are anything but gridlike, and they often change names for no reason at all. So if you come here, buy a London A-Z and never go outside without it. And when in doubt, take the Tube, which is actually as pretty and easy to use as they say. It’s not lick-the-floor clean or anything, but we’re talking a giant stride forward from the touching-anything-might-give-you-tetanus feel of the New York subway.

MORE TO COME. Get excited…

****

Sydney Series: My Wine Odyssey in Oz

2009-11-06T11:50:00.009-05:00

Sydney was our last stop on our round-the-world trip, and we have plenty of amazing memories from living "Down Under." Now 'til mid-November, we're going to be recalling our favorite Sydney moments. At the end of each post, you'll find out how to get the chance to make your own memories in Oz by entering to win a trip to Sydney (the organizers extended the deadline for entry!)

*****
ADP: I can't believe that I'm admitting this now, but I wasn't much of a wine drinker before Holly, Jen and I did our yearlong adventure around the world. In fact, I hardly drank the stuff at all, unless it was the only thing being offered at a wedding or forced upon me at a fancy dinner. I just couldn't understand what all the fuss was about--I mean, wasn't wine just an alcoholic version of grape juice?

I officially saw the light of day—and truly experienced an awakening of the taste buds—when my fellow LGs and I began touring the wineries in New Zealand's Marlborough region and Australia's Hunter Valley. As experienced guides took us through vineyards located in impossibly beautiful settings, showed us the vast, spotless warehouses where the grapes are crushed and then led us to the tasting rooms, I found myself enchanted with the whole process of coaxing a delicious but often temperamental fruit into the jewel toned liquid swirling at the bottom of my glass.

For the first time, as the winemakers clued me in to the various scents and notes and flavors of the wine, I actually began to taste the distinctions and developed a near instant connection to certain varietals. And as we traveled from one winery to the next, I suddenly realized: I actually liked wine. No, I loved it!

I couldn't be sure, of course, until I departed from those enchanted valleys and went back to my regularly scheduled life. But, to my happy surprise, I found myself missing those Australian wines almost the second I returned to the US—and determined to keep tasting glasses from all over to find varietals and vineyards I liked just as much.

Earlier this year, I got the incredible opportunity to visit New South Wales again to report on the Vivid Sydney festival for National Geographic Traveler and PeterGreenberg.com. While I wasn't able to get back to the Hunter Valley, I discovered an incredible new wine bar and restaurant called Wine Odyssey during my return to Sydney.

Located in a gorgeously restored historic building in The Rocks neighborhood (the oldest part of the city) Wine Odyssey offers guests a chance to sample as little as much as they'd like from a selection of more than 40 Australian wines. Rather than served in bottles, the wines are housed in an innovative Italian-developed vending station that dispenses either a taste (25 mL), a half glasss (75 mL) or a full glass (150 mL), each kept fresh via temperature control and nifty decanting devices, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. When you arrive, you simple load up the amount you'd like to spend on a plastic "smart card," insert it into the machine and get tasting.

Once you've got your filled glass in hand, you can either get cozy in one of plushly decorated, vintage style drawing rooms or head upstairs to the aroma room and tasting theater, where you'll be virtually versed in what you're sipping.

I've been waiting for such a mecca of vino to appear here in New York City, but thus far, I've only experienced a true Wine Odyssey in Sydney. Rather than wait 'til the powers that be install one in my city, I might just have to return to Oz.

Wine Odyssey
39-43 Argyle Street, The Rocks, 1300 136 498
http://www.wineodyssey.com.au/

*****
Want to join us in Australia? The folks at Tourism New South Wales are offering two winners a trip to Sydney for themselves and a friend including airfare on V Australia, seven nights accommodation and an exclusive ticket to experience at least five of the most “life enhancing” activities that the city has to offer, such as:

• Learning to Surf at Bondi Beach
• Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Sailing on Sydney Harbour
• Going behind the scenes at Sydney Opera House

To enter, simply click here or go to http://www.facebook.com/seesydney?v=app_17037175766 and follow these steps:

1. Click on the "Win a Dream Sydney Vacation" button
2. Enter your contact info
3. Become a fan of Sydney, Australia on Facebook
4. On the Sydney, Australia Facebook Wall write in 30 words or less about a Sydney experience you've had, or would want to have.

The organizers have extended the deadline and the contest will now be running from now through November 15th! Get your entries in now, and we'll see you Down Under!

The LG Weekly News Roundup: 11.5.09

2009-11-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

by Molly Fergus
LG Travel News Editor

Missed the big travel stories of the week? And the weird, wacky and insignificant ones? We've got your round-up right here....

******************************************

Smokes on the Plane
We like to call this the Mad Men trend gone too far. Ryan Air, the dirt-cheap European budget airline, will start allowing smoking on its planes — as long as customers purchase the house brand. Ryan Air’s smokeless cigs will cost about $9, supposedly don’t contain any toxins, and are harmless to other passengers. This transparent money-making scheme might seem surprising if it weren’t for the company’s other absurd fees, like a mandatory online check-in charge and a potential pay-to-pee policy.
Source: Jaunted.com

Round-the-world wellness
One more reason to visit the doc before hitting the road: a new study by the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network says that long-term travelers are at risk for different maladies than vacationers. Nomads who set out for at least six months are more likely to pick up parasites — including the buggers that cause diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome. They’re also more prone to chronic fatigue. Sounds like we already knew this, so pack some Cipro and bring a pillow!
Source: Reuters

Glimpse your next byline
Want to write for National Geographic? The Glimpse Program, managed by the legendary travel publication, is now accepting applications from 18-34 year olds who are living abroad for at least 10 weeks. Winning correspondents will write and take photos of their experiences abroad, take home a $600 stipend and land a chance to be featured in an issue of the magazine. Send off two references and a writing sample by Nov. 8 to score the gig.
Source: Gadling

That’s not your name
It might be time to schedule a DMV visit. A new federal policy called Secure Flight requires that names on plane tickets and identification match exactly. That means, if “Jane H. Brown” booked a flight to Buenos Aires but her passport lists her as “Jane Brown,” she can say adios to that Malbec and parillada dinner. Just try to avoid any Kayak typos.
Source: New York Times

Lost in Spain: Best Tapas in Madrid

2009-11-04T09:00:00.005-05:00

By Molly Gallagher

LG International Correspondent

At any time of the day in Madrid you can find cafes, restaurants and bars open and serving tapas. Madrilenos (people of Madrid) have a schedule unlike anything I have ever experienced. The nightlife goes on until six, seven, even eight in the morning. Lunch is usually between two and four and dinner can be as late as ten. In fact, most restaurants do not even open for dinner until ten. Tapas fit in perfectly with this lifestyle. Tapas are small dishes that are shared. These allow Madrilenos to eat smaller portions throughout the day or have a bite to eat between the long periods of time between meals. Bars will also often give you a small tapa when you order a drink and some will give you lots of tapas. A side note, Ham is a HUGE part of Spanish food, so expect lots of it. Here are some of my favorite tapas and some suggestions on where to eat if you are planning a trip to Madrid.

Salmorejo- This dish originated in Córdoba, a city in Southern Spain. It is similar to gazpacho, but a much creamier, tomato based dip. It is usually made with pieces boiled egg and ham. It is delicious to dip bread into.

Patatas Bravas- These are potatoes, similar to home fries. Bravas sauce is a spicy tomato sauce, like hot sauce.

Huevos Rueveltos- Is an egg dish that is prepared many ways. This literal translation is scrambled eggs. It is often made with potatos or French fries and Chorizo (sausage) or bacon and sometimes vegetables.

Chorizo- This is pork sausage. It is very different from the sausage we are used to in the States. Chorizo is spicier and tastes more like salami. It is most commonly eaten with bread.

Jamón Serrano- Is dry cured ham. It is most similar to Italian prosciutto. It is served with melon (like prosciutto), on a plate, or with bread.

Croquetas- These are small fried balls filled with a ham, oil, cheese and egg mixture. While they may not sound delicious…they are. Try them at El Tigre.

Tortilla Española- This is a Spanish Omlette. It is made with potatoes and eggs. It is usually served as a pincho, or piece either hot or cold. Many Spaniards eat this dish in the morning.

My Three Favorite Places to Get Tapas

The best area to go for tapas is in La Latina. This area is right near Sol (the center of Madrid). If you walk down Cava Baja Alta, you will find over 30 tapas bars.

La Rosa- My cousin who lived in Madrid for three years introduced to this tapas bar. They have traditional Spanish tapas like, Salmorejo, but you can also get salads, chicken dishes, and more interesting tapas. Calle de Oriente, 4.

El Tigre- This bar is ALWAYS packed. Why? Because when you buy one caña (a small beer) for €1.50 you get a free plate of tapas filled with patatas bravas, croquetas, tortilla Española, and Jamón (Ham). When you get a more expensive drink, for example their €6 mojito, which comes in a large plastic cups, you get two free plates of food. This is the best bargain, especially when you are on a budget. Go around 9:00 p.m. and by the time you make your way to the bar it will be time for dinner. Calle de las Infantas, 30.

New Hiring: An LG Public Relations Intern

2009-11-03T15:23:00.006-05:00

Are you a social networking guru? Spend more time chatting with your friends on Facebook then you do in person? Then we have the internship for you!

We're on the hunt for a fabulous online PR and marketing intern for the remainder of Fall 2009 through Spring 2010 semester. The ideal candidate will be a detail oriented, web-savvy self-starter who can commit 5 to 10 hours per week to the position. While prior PR or office experience isn’t required, work with magazines or websites is a plus. We’re looking for someone who’s a whiz at spreadsheets (and loves them!), has excellent writing skills and a love of all things travel.

Check out the rest of this site before you apply to get a sense of what we’re all about, then drop us a line at lostgirlsworld@gmail.com. Please put “PR Internship” in the subject line and send us any writing samples or attachments you think will be helpful for us when making a decision. Oh, and if you;re past the days of interning, feel free to forward this to any young whippersnappers who might be interested. Thanks!

Lost Girls Spa Review: Skana

2009-11-03T10:13:00.001-05:00

HCC: I usually equate casinos more with the smell of cigarettes and flashing lights than with the smell of sage and bubbling mineral baths, but I experienced both at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York. Run by the Oneida Indian Nation, their spa named Skana (which is the Oneida word for "peace"), offers the total experience: sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, mineral bath, and treatments that use natural elements such as the Sage and White Pine Hot Towel Massage. Another thing that sets them apart from other spas is their sweat lodge built with willow and draped with buffalo hides. Sweat lodges have long been used as a way to detox the body and purify the spirit.

I didn't try the sweat lodge, and my favorite thing about the spa wasn't actually the treatments, but the relaxation area. Anyone who books a treatment gets to use it for the entire day, and can try the DIY "Balancing Waters Ritual." This basically means jumping in and out of cool and hot water, as well as the steam room and sauna, to boost your circulatory and nervous systems.

First, you sit in the steam room for five to 1o minutes to help sweat out toxins. Then you jump in a cool shower for one minute to increase your circualtion (this is not comfortable, but it feels refreshing in the end). Then you hop into the sauna for another five to 10 minutes to clear out your sinuses and relax your muscles. After that, it's a cold shower again before soaking in the luke-warm mineral pool (the 18-plus different kinds of minerals are said to be restorative). When you're all done, you can lounge in the low-lit relaxation area with fruit water to wait for your therapist. It's believed that getting rid of stress and increasing circulation like this before a treatment preps your body to better receive the benefits of your massage or facial. All I know is that my body felt so relaxed from doing this, I felt like I had a treatment even before I went in for my facial. That all ended, of course, when I met my grandmother in the casino connected to the spa's lodge, and lost all my money with her playing Bingo.

Book Review: Title: The New Age of Adventure: Ten Years of Great Writing

2009-11-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

by Lisa Katzenberger
Special to Lost Girls World

National Geographic Adventure is the magazine for readers who prefer to climb around the wild outdoors versus just glance at the pictures from the safety of their couch. Their new anthology, The New Age of Adventure: Ten Years of Great Writing, strikes the same chord as their down-in-the-dirt-details magazine.

Sure, they may sound a little confident with their claim of “ten years of great writing,” but the book really delivers. The anthology is filled with flawless writing and stunning stories pulled from the award-winning magazine’s ten-year life. Story after story reels you in and instantly transports you through lush language to another part of the world.

The anthology breaks the stories up into four sections. "Reporting From the Edge" provides a journalistic approach to discovering different cultures of the world. The section starts off with Sebastian Junger’s “The Lion in Winter,” a startling look at Afghanistan guerrilla war warrior Ahmad Shah Massoud that was originally published in the spring of 2001. And in “Off the Face of the Earth” Peter Lane Taylor crawls around a complex system of underground caves where the Stermers family hid from the Nazis for nearly a full year in 1942. He shares details of how the surviving members of the family – young children at the time – look back on this experience with heart-breaking strength.

"Sexy Beasts" covers stories about how our animal friends survive in this world. In “Place of Darkness,” Kira Salak shares her encounters with mountain gorillas trying to survive the war in Congo and contemplates who the more humane animal is: man or gorilla. “Stomping Grounds” by Paul Kvinta investigates the culture of “human-elephant conflict” where elephant stampedes in India have caused deaths in the thousands over the past two decades.

"Personal Journeys" includes personal narratives, such as friends surviving a 21-day kayaking through the Aleutian Islands, and a Vietnam vet surviving his emotional journey back to the ghost-filled battlefields of his youth. In "The Outer Limits" writers venture to the farthest reaches of the world – from travelling alongside Siberian reindeer farmers to exploring the blank Sahara where the even the map labels the area as “nothing” – Tenere.

Every story in The New Age of Adventure carries the potential for self-discovery. How does your life feel when you examine it from inside the still void of Siberia’s Tenere? What do you do when, in the middle of a 22-day canoe trip in the Grand Canyon, where contact with others is rare and random, you place a call home from a pay phone on September 11, 2001? Do you continue on your scheduled trip, and hang out among America’s nooks and crannies or head home to hunker down in front of its 24-hour ticker-filled news channels? The story of elephants finding a place to call home among India’s skyrocketing population begs the question: who’s closing in on whose turf? These stories share the underlying theme that seeing the world is also about seeing ourselves and learning more about the human race in the name of adventure.

Overall, the stories are moving and inspiring and stirring, although The Sexy Beasts section wasn’t as immediately engaging as others. And, Lost Girls readers, it’s worth pointing out to this crowd that out of twenty-five beautiful travel stories only three were authored by women. (Kira Salak also has “Hell and Back” and Gretel Ehrlich’s contributes “The Vanishing Breed.”)

The stories in The New Age of Adventure pull you along like a quick and smooth zip line tour. Happy to watch the world move by, to observe it from a different perspective, not really noticing time pass, not really wanting the journey to end. And then the instant you complete one story, breathless, pondering what you just experienced, you’re anxious to clip on to the next line, to jump into the next story, and discover what lies ahead.

The New Age of Adventure: Ten Years of Great Writing
Publisher: National Geographic Society
Release Date: Now available (released September 15, 2009)
$16.95
LG Rating: * * * * (out of 5)

******************************
Lisa Katzenberger lives in Chicago and is working on her second novel. Her short stories have appeared or are forthcoming in Quality Women's Fiction, Foliate Oak, Cooler by the Lake, and PoemMemoirStory. She blogs about writing at Fictioncity.blogspot.com.

Are You From Bali? Volunteer Readers Needed for The Lost Girls' Book

2009-10-30T17:03:00.005-04:00

Hey everyone! The Lost Girls book has been copy-edited and is about to go to press to hit shelves this spring. We have one week to read it over before it does, and would love to have someone from Bali read about the island to get your thoughts. If you were born in Bali or have family from Bali, are familiar with Balinese culture, and would like to read a sample chapter, please email us at LostGirlsWorld@gmail.com. Thanks for your help!

The World Cup: How Sports Unites Cultures

2009-10-30T06:00:00.002-04:00

Today we have a guest post from sports travel guru Robert Tuchman, author of the new book, The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live. He lives in New York City, where he is president of Premiere Corporate, a division of Premiere Global Sports, and a contributing writer for ESPN.com. He's been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, and Your World with Neil Cavuto. Robert is also the author of Young Guns, The Fearless Entrepreneurs Guide to Chasing Your Dreams and Breaking Out on Your Own.
*****
If the results of the 2009 Confederations Cup soccer tournament this summer are any indication of what the World Cup has in store in 2010, American soccer fans have something to be excited about. Losing by the narrow margin of 3-2 to world power Brazil, the United States team showed its ability to compete with the big boys, and shows promise for a deep run for the FIFA World Cup trophy this summer.

Summer may be a misleading word in this situation, given that, while it will be summer in the US while the World Cup is going on, winter will be in full-effect in South Africa, the host country of the tournament. For those visiting South Africa for the Confederations Cup last “summer”, the ability to see your own breath (at night games, where the low typically reached 40˚F) was a bit startling at first, but nothing a few extra layers couldn’t help (don’t let this turn you off, because the days are warm in the 60’s and 70’s)!

The weather is the least of one’s worries when visiting a foreign country for the first time. It is a variable outside of human control that can only be dealt with by preparing for it or avoiding it. The culture clash, however, no matter how much you think you’ve prepared for it, will always catch you off-guard.

Right when you get off the plane, train, bus, car, or boat that you take to your destination, you're almost always immediately greeted by a local in their native tongue; this is your “we’re not in Kansas anymore” moment. Perhaps you’ve brushed up on your local lingo and can respond, sometimes comfortably, sometimes…not so much. Regardless, from that moment on, communication with the locals, depending on how much of your language they know, can only become more difficult. One thing that sporting events provide as a benefit in this type of situation is that, although there are people visiting from all over the world (especially at events like the World Cup), you all share a common interest in the event you are there to share. Having a common ground like sports with someone from Japan, Argentina, Switzerland, or Australia, without ever meeting or speaking with them before, can almost always help break down that culture barrier.

Columnist and novelist Fanny Fern once wrote, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, and there is certainly no exception here! Traveling to sporting events around the globe gives many opportunities to try local foods both in and out of sporting venues. Whether its sampling tapas in Spain, tasting beers in Germany, or sitting down for full-course meals like fresh seafood from the coast of South Africa or pasta dishes in Italy where the noodles are pressed right in front of you, each country—and within it each city, town, and village—has their own delicacies that you may only have one opportunity in your lifetime to experience; and you shouldn’t let one pass you by.

Sports give fans moments that they would have never otherwise had, and these are the moments I live for.

LG Sydney Series: Hunter Valley Wine Country

2009-10-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

Sydney was our last stop on our round-the-world trip, and we have plenty of amazing memories from living "Down Under." Now 'til the end of October, we're going to be recalling our favorite Sydney moments. At the end of each post, you'll find out how to get the chance to make your own memories in Oz by entering to win a trip to Sydney.

*****
HCC: There’s a lot more to Oz than the sunburned outback and endless beaches. When my fellow Lost Girls and I heard about the rolling vineyards, gourmet restaurants and relaxing spas that were to be found in Hunter Valley, we refilled the oil in our camper van (we learned our lesson!) and hit the road. Located just about three hours from Sydney, Hunter Valley sounded like the perfect place to recharge without having to waste too much of our dwindling vacation time behind the wheel.

It turned out to be a pretty big region encompassing lots of towns, so we decided to stop in Singleton for the night because it had a campground with powered sites. It was here that I met Makalah, a permanent trailer park resident who introduced herself to me in the bathroom. When I mentioned that we were on our way to visit the Singleton Information Center to figure out which wineries to visit, she laughed out loud. “The Information Center is about as useful as tits on a bull!” I felt like a silly tourist, which, of course, I am. But we decided to hit up the bigger Hunter Valley Information Center anyway, which was only a twenty-minute drive.

I can’t speak for the Singleton Tourist Information Center, but most of the ones we’ve visited in Oz have been lifesavers. The large one in Hunter Valley was stocked with maps and the staff even guided us in drafting an itinerary for the next four days, including wine school, food tastings and hot air balloon rides. Information is more than power—having it on a road trip makes everything more manageable.

It’s no secret that The Lost Girls live to eat, and Hunter Valley turned out to be a foodie haven. We were overwhelmed with the possibilities: There was the Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Factory, Hunter Valley Olive Centre and Hunter Valley Coffee School. Worried that our tummies wouldn’t be able to handle all these yummy delights, we opted to simply satisfy our sweet tooth and drove over to the Hunter Valley Chocolate Factory.

I witnessed the girls’ eyes light up and then glaze over in anticipation as we examined the endless mounds of confectionary creations arranged in neat piles behind the glass display cases. I sampled chocolate-covered caramel frogs, rocky-road fudge and chocolate-dipped marshmallows. Then I tasted Jen’s toffee-filled treats and Amanda’s mango-mousse covered chocolate. Dieters beware: This is not a place to come if you’re counting calories, so it’s best to give yourself a break. I’m over dieting because it makes me bitchy. Chocolate, on the other hand, makes me very, very happy.

Rising before dawn, on the other hand, does not make us happy. But the next morning we did just that because we had the chance of a lifetime: To get a bird’s eye view of the sunrise over the valley. We signed up for a hot air balloon ride at Balloon Aloft that required us to meet our group at 5:30 a.m.

When we arrived, we were asked to fill out the mandatory safety forms and then sat around sipping steamy coffee and watching kangaroos have a boxing match in the grassy field that stretched out in front of us. By 7:30 a.m., the sun had risen, but our hot air balloon had not. Our guide ended up canceling the ride due to windy weather. We were bummed, but figured it was better to be safe than sorry (we made it this far around the world and would rather not have to report to our parents that we’d been involved in a hot air balloon crash).

We had the whole day ahead of us and made our next stop the Hunter Valley Wine School. Yes, they are opened for wine tasting at the ripe hour of 9:30 a.m. The Lost Girls became wine connoisseurs! Well, not really, but we graduated and each got our own certificate. Our teacher instructed us to wear these hardhats (even though we’re hardheaded enough) for a tour of the winery to watch just how vino is made. Then we sat down inside the wine bar and got to sample the goods.

Hunter Valley is known for four types of wine: Semillon (a light, dry white), Verdelho (a fruity white), Chardonnay (a full-bodied white that can be tart) and Shiraz (a spicy red). Though there are around 140 boutique wineries in Hunter Valley, we were disappointed to learn that we couldn’t buy many of the bottles in the States since the smaller ones don’t produce enough wine to export.

We walked out of there giggling like little schoolgirls. Seriously, how the heck did we get so lucky as to be able to spend our days tasting chocolate, sipping wine and watching kangaroos at sunrise?!

*****
The folks at Tourism New South Wales are offering two winners a trip to Sydney for themselves and a friend including airfare on V Australia, seven nights accommodation and an exclusive ticket to experience at least five of the most “life enhancing” activities that the city has to offer, such as:

• Learning to Surf at Bondi Beach
• Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Sailing on Sydney Harbour
• Going behind the scenes at Sydney Opera House

To enter, simply click here or go to http://www.facebook.com/seesydney?v=app_17037175766 and follow these steps:

1. Click on the "Win a Dream Sydney Vacation" button
2. Enter your contact info
3. Become a fan of Sydney, Australia on Facebook
4. On the Sydney, Australia Facebook Wall write in 30 words or less about a Sydney experience you've had, or would want to have.