Travel photos and some words about my travels throughout the world
It’s pretty hairy here weather wise. I got a late start but wanted to get some pics of the city while the snow was fresh. Central Park is beautiful in any weather. It was hard keeping the lens snow free. The snow continues. Luckily, I made it back without getting scooped up by the snowplows or becoming a meal for the coyotes, bald eagles and rabid raccoons that are out there. I love this city… Enjoy!
Here’s a breakdown of current subway fares which will all probably be going up soon. This isn’t a complete list but the most popular and interesting routes in the U.S.
New York City MTA: $2.25
Washington D.C. Metro: $1.65-$4.50
Chicago L: $2.25
Boston T: $2.00
San Francisco MUNI: $2.00
Los Angeles Metro: $1.25
San Juan, P.R. Tren Urbano: $1.50
Detroit People Mover: 50 cents (WOW)
The fares on the New York City Subway aren’t looking too bad are they. It’s not the cleanest and it’s not as modern like the Tokyo Metro, but it does take riders far and does it 24 hours a day. Chicago charges the same fare but goes a fair distance but only until around 1am like Boston which is 25 cents less. The MUNI is a fare price if you live in the right neighborhoods. If anything, one can’t beat the transfers they give out. I once got one that gave me 2 hours. Who even takes the subway in LA? Ridership is up on LA subways so hopefully there are less cars on the road as well (doubt it). San Juan P.R. (10.7 miles) and Detroit (3 miles) are small systems but they must help some people get to where they want go. Can’t beat either prices.
There’s some much constantly going on around you in NYC. A break is all you need to take a detour and find a place to regroup that’s close by. Here’s a list of some great places to visit and get a moment of reprieve from the noise and commotion of the city streets.
New York Public Library – Mulberry Street
This hidden oasis in the middle of the shoppers paradise known as Soho is a great place to rest the feet and catch up on some reading. This building was formerly the cite of a chocolate factory and has been beautifully and thoughtfully designed with respect to the building’s infrastructure, history, and context. The ground floor is the top and main floor of the library with two floors filled with books and rooms to comfortable browse through them below. This is probably one of the nicest libraries and lesser known on the island. Additionally, it provides visitors with free wi-fi and a place to relax and unwind for a bit.
Currently, there is a rumor going on the the trial of one of the mind behind the 9-ll attack may be having their court trial here. Let’s hope not since it’s a great place to spend the day in the warmer months of the year in NYC. The island got its name before the Declaration of Independence was signed since the british colonial assembly reserved the island for the exclusive use of New York’s royal governors. After the U.S. Army took control and built a base and a prison on the site. The National Coast Guard where the last organization to control the island and they left to the hands of the State of New York and the parks department. The city and state are still trying to figure out how to further develop the island with more attractive features and activities. For now, it’s a peaceful place to rent a bike and have a picnic while enjoying the views of lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Best of all…it’s peaceful, clean and it’s free.
There is no way that the London Tube and the New York Subway System are very different from one another. The MTA has its problems but still provides its riders with a system that goes great distances at a reasonable cost. The article written by an ex-pat living in London has some valid but very weak points of comparison.
Let’s lay down the basic facts of the two systems (Tube Vs. MTA)
The MTA Subway system
1. Runs 24 hours a day
The Tube runs from 4:45 to 1am since they don’t have 3rd or 4th rails needed to do repairs
2. MTA consists of 468 stations covering 842 miles of track with 11 subway lines
The Tube has 11 stations covering 250 miles of track and 11 subway lines
3. The MTA fare cost is $2.25 per trip…period
The London Underground has fare zones and the ticket fares are the pay-as-you-go variety
4. Subways are roomy with high ceilings
The London Tube has much smaller train cars then the one found in New York City. As the picture shows, there isn’t much room between the aisles so if it’s hard to get one of those comfy cushioned seats then a rider is left standing. It is especially difficult to travel from the airport to the center of London on the trains because there is very little room for luggage no matter how light you pack. There aren’t even any overhead racks like those found in the Japanese subways and trains.
The Tube has nice cars with comfy seats but when there is no air-conditioning in the warmer months then it’s not so pleasant and never mind the odor. The MTA platforms are not the most comfortable on a steamy summer day in NYC but it’s nice to know that you will most likely have some relief when the train does come.
The MTA has many shortcomings but what do you expect from a system that covers great distances 24 hours a day at one flat rate. The fare may seem high to some but if you are coming into work everyday from all the way out near the airports or the Far Rockaways then $2.25 isn’t so bad. The unlimited cards are still economical even though the prices have gone up a lot in the past few years. There is much room for improvement when it comes to MTA signs and how they communicate service changes and advisors to riders. All I can say is that I take the subway almost everywhere in the metro area and as a regular user I have some complaints but I know that it’s not perfect. I haven’t needed to own a car since I have moved here 10 years ago. That says something.
When planning a trip the usual things that go through a person’s mind are the exciting things they will see and how much fun they are going to have. It’s not surprising that many will purposely avoid thinking of the bad things such as what happens if I l break a limp, get food poisoning or worse. It is pretty obvious why a traveler only is thinking about the positive and not the negative. It’s their vacation and a well deserved break from the everyday stresses of life. Having health insurance is just another thing they need to do. Having the correct coverage can only make the trip much more enjoyable. Here is simple list of reasons why a traveler needs a back up plan if something goes wrong on a trip.
1. That trip was expensive
There are no guarantees for what is going to happen in the future. Floods could have washed away the railroad tracks and/or roads that lead to your destination as we saw with Machu Picchu this past month or a military coup could have erupted in the area you intended on traveling through. These and many other things can temporary postpone or cancel the trip entirely. The correct coverage will most likely reimburse the traveler fully or partly for tickets, accommodation and all related expenses in some way or form depending on what is bought. There are chances that the agencies you are dealing with whether it be an airline, travel agent or the like will work with you if something was their fault, but don’t count on it being easy or guarenteed.
2. The exotic food was too good to resist
Many travelers suffer from the common stomach aliments while traveling since part of experiencing a new place is sampling local cuisine. The locals usually have natural immunities to parasites and other things found in locally produced food. The traveler, no matter how strong of a stomach they think they have, isn’t as fortunate. The trip to the doctor for a sick traveler is not uncommon. Some countries are easier on the wallet then others but it’s nice to know that a traveler will just need to figure out how to get treated and not worry about paying for the treatment at the end.
3. Missed connections…what..no flight until tomorrow?
Not all planes, trains, buses and taxis the traveler uses along the way will be prompt. Countries all have their own interpretation of time and schedules. Those interpretations can cause travel delays which may leave a traveler stranded. Many travel insurance plans have coverage for such travel delays and interruptions. This coverage pays for certain extra transportation and accommodation expenses for a trip interruption that is generally after 6 hours or more. This is great if the airline or other transport company decides that it’s not going to do anything for you. It is also nice to know that you may not have to sleep in the waiting area but instead in a private room nearby.
4. If something REALLY bad happens…
It may seem over the top to mention them but bad things can happen anywhere. Travelers go and do things in foreign places assuming that they will not encounter any danger along the way. It’s all a part of the adventure. They tend to forget that safety measures one country takes to keep people “safe from doing harm to themselves” are different or non-existent in other countries. This is the reason why there are added benefits and higher premiums for those participating in dangerous activities such as scuba diving and down-hill skiing. There are more general add-on categories of coverage such as how much the policy will reimburse or cover. Some of these include the cost of bring a family member to the traveler in the event they are transported to a hospital or other facility due to an injury for more than several days, medevac services for when the traveler gets into some hairy situations such as being trapped on a mountain or a helicopter rescue is necessary along with taking the victim to an adequate hospital facility. Hopefully the traveler will be safe and travel with some commonsense when visiting a foreign land. These pre-paid benefits can give them and those that care about them piece of mind while away.
5. I lost my passport/ticket
A traveler has so much to keep track of and sometimes these important things are M.I.A. or worse yet… stolen. The passport or tickets are probably two of the most valuable and hard to replace items at traveler has on them. If they disappear, then it’s good to know that your travel insurance company will be a phone call away and that prepaid coverage does come in handy. There should be a back up photocopy of all important documents stowed away safely in your money belt and back at home with a reliable person for such emergencies. This along with the insurance company’s help can just make the process a less bumpy one when on the road.
Anything can happen along the way. More than likely they will be all good things along they way. The trip insurance is never a bad investment even if you don’t use it along the way. It’s just gives you many less things to worry about and more time to spend enjoying your trip.
Each policy and companies providing those policies are different. It is important to find one that suits your needs and provides coverage for things that could happen on this particular trip. Most importantly, read the fine print, enjoy the trip and don’t worried because you’re covered.
I find that this website is a very good start in finding the plan that works for you. It has a helpful chart comparing plans to one another.
Here’s another good article on msnbc.com about travel insurance and a blog post by Airwatchdog.com showing a Airline snafu/travel insurance chart. You can never have enough information. Good luck.
Women just seem to need more stuff in life. As this is usually the case, but when traveling we usually need just a little more than the male traveler. For some, their daily routine is usually filled with make-up, rehydrating creams, a closet full of clothes. This routine will have to quickly change since it’s just not practical to live this way while on the road. The purpose of this is to not tell any traveler what to take but to give an idea of what works for someone who has gone on a few long trips. Please use this as a guide since what is in a travel bag is what will be the most useful and will make the traveler the most comfortable along the way.
If you need a guide to what to bring here are a few suggestions on where to start. I have put together a list that I have devised after years of traveling to many parts of the world. Yours should contain more or even less of what I usually bring on a backpacking type of trip which can take from a month to a year or more.
2 long sleeve Caprilene Shorts (anything in medium to dark color and try for neutral shades allowing them to match things better)
2 short sleeve Caprilene Shorts (same color scheme)
1 Pair of Nylon pants (Usually the ones which converted to shorts even though I never have done this)
1 Ankle length skirt (light weight material and good for overnight trips and travel to conservative/religious areas where women don’t wear pants)
3 pairs of fast drying socks medium weight and at least over the ankles in length
5 pairs of underwear (Caprilene in these as well)
1 lightweight jacket (Fleece since this can double as a pillow)
1 waterproof shell with hood (as compact as possible)
Bathing suit (make sure the suit fits well and resist strong waves and/ or currents)
1 par of medium weight long underwear bottoms(if needed)
1 scarf (neutral and medium in color and weight; good to cover head/shoulders at religious/conservative sites)
1 pair of flip-flops (double for the shower and a break from the one pair of shoes)
1 quick dry towel or sarong or both (depends if you want it to double as a towel or scarf)
What to consider not leaving behind
Women travelers have many more things than men to consider when traveling to many parts of the world. What you choose to wear will show how much attention you get by the locals you meet along the way. It is always good to figure out how to find clothing and accessories you and others around you will be comfortable with. You are a guest in another persons country and respect of local cultures is a very important thing.
It’s usually best to keep as much of your body covered. Shirts and pants (skirts as well) need to cover you from wrist to ankle. It is also good to wear a hat as well. Not only will these things keep you protected from the suns rays and the elements but they will protect you from stares and hisses of those showing disgust. This is sometimes a good time to pick up some new clothes. It is best to buy your clothes locally. Not only will it show respect for locals but help you blend in with your surroundings. A pushy street vendor will try for the easier target wearing a Abercrombie t-shirt and baseball cap and not yourself.
Whether married or not it’s best to seem so. This doesn’t at all mean borrow your grandmother’s diamond for the trip but a cheap comfortable silver band will do. Men will less likely as for your hand in marriage and will respect that you taken. There are no guarantees that this will work all the time but you can only hope. In general, people you meet along the way will be curious to why you aren’t married if this is the case with you, and will try to solve the mystery by making it the topic of conversation. It’s easy to just say you are if you aren’t and hope that it doesn’t procede inquiring about how many children you two have. It can get tricky but try not to take offense to basic curiosity . It is best to try to move the conversation to how nice the weather is or where’s the best place to eat in town. Remember to avoid religion and politics.
Toiletries are not found everywhere. Yes, most of europe has stores stock their shelves with deodorant, feminine products and candy bars. This isn’t the case in much of the world. Try buying a solid stick of deodorant in areas that only use cologne to mask body odors and tampons where women have only been exposed to feminine pads. These are small items that don’t take up much room. Who wants to waste time looking for these things when you could be exploring and seeing the sites.
Toilet paper or tissues are also one of those things us women need more of. Many countries do sell it but it’s good to have a stash of your own. Be prepared for some interesting toilet encounters. This is went you find out how to deal with a messy situation.
Medications are not found everywhere and most likely if you are taking something like birth control pills or other daily meds bringing more than enough is a good idea. Also, see where you can re-supply along the way. The decision is easier. There is one less thing to think about when continuing on. It would stink that you have to go back home just because of poor planning.
Your teddybear This could be literally but figuratively it means bring whatever it is you need to have with you that will give you some comfort on those days where you are feeling lonely, homesick, lost (in a bad way) or just plain sick and need to take it easy for a couple of days in a strange land.
What to bring on a trip will come down to what you are comfortable taking and leaving behind. Every trip and destination is different and every traveler is different. There is a great travel quote by Susan Heller which sums it up for me the best.
“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.”
Happy packing 🙂
There are so many things a girl can do without when it comes to adventure traveling. This list is long and it’s better to focus on the top 5 most important things bring along when going on an adventure trip. In adventure I’m talking about one where you will have to carry your bag more than a few yards from the taxi to the hotel. This will be a trip where you will maybe find those things you wish you had brought at your destination but if not oh well.
1. Clothing made of synthetic material
Clothing that is not made of cotton but a material which keeps you cool or warm but will dry fast, not wrinkle and be compact. The clothing should have a neutral shade and be able to mix and match with other pieces. Who cares if you are wearing the same pants and/or shirt two or more days in a row. It’s good if you are able to wash them every night and know that they will be dry by morning. Look at it this way. This will free up some space in your bag and give you an excuse to buy something locally. Besides, it makes a great souvenir.
2. One pair of shoes
This is not counting the light pair of Havaianas you have as well. It is best to invest in a comfortable pair of nice looking travel shoes made of a durable material such as leather. There are some great shoes that look good and function as a low-level hiking shoe. Even if you are not going to hike up a mountain there is a good chance you will be walking a lot. Another thing, make sure this isn’t the shoes maiden voyage. The shoes need to get worn enough to break them in and to make sure they will be suitable for the journey.
3. A Good Hat
A hat has many functions while traveling. It will block out harmful sun rays and heat of the sun, cover your head when it’s raining, cover your head when you are visiting a holy site, makes it easy to hide under when visiting countries where as a woman you don’t want to make eye contact, and it hides the fact that you are having a bad hair day. The hat should have a wide rim on it so it can protect you and be also made of a breathable material. It will get dirty so wash it along with those fast drying pants when needed.
4. Cell phone with a good camera
Having a cell phone that you can slip in your pocket and use with a local SIM card can come in very handy. You may have packed away a camera that takes better pictures but it’s handy to have one that fits discretely in your pocket for some quick shots of food or places where you may want to leave the more expensive camera back at the hotel in a locked safe. A traveler can find that having a local cell phone number is convenient with booking a hotel that doesn’t have a website or to use in emergency situations. The rates vary from country to country but they usually are reasonable. A cell that is bluetooth enabled is key. If there is a strong or strong enough wi-fi signal you can set up an account with Vonage or Skype and keep in touch with folks back home.
5. Good bag with TSA approved locks
Your bag is one of the best investments you will make. It’s worth the time and money investment. I prefer one that is light in weight, has a protective cover which extends over the bag and locks, has strong zippers that can secure easily and not allow any gaps, made of strong material that resists tearing especially by a knife or other sharp edge, and fits well to your body type. Some other helpful features are a bottle holder or hook for one, a small inside pocket in the inside lining which can fit dirty laundry, and be waterproof.
This list is short and is very subjective since everyone has their own priorities on what they need to take to make them feel comfortable in a foreign land. These things are what I have narrowed my list down to over the years. I used to bring much more when I started to travel but over the trips I have found that many things are best left at home. It’s a life lesson to find out what you as a person really need to have to live your life. It’s less than you would think.
What a girl packs away in her travel bag will all depend on where she’s planning to go. This case is the Middle East. This being said, taking great care in how you dress and act while visiting. What a woman traveler wears and how she behaves will show how locals in turn treat her. A woman well versed in local social etiquette to avoid the long stares and unwarranted cat calls and hisses that go along being inconsiderate.
Clothing
Keep in mind that the less skin showing the better. The year-round weather in most Middle Eastern areas usually no lower than 50F and can get up to an uncomfortable 115F (one considering the humidity levels which can make it feel much warmer). Staying cool in clothing that covers you from head to toe will be challenging.
In these modern times, it is much easier to find women’s clothing that is both comfortable and covers most of your body. The designs are getting better and the fabric is becoming more technologically advanced. Caprilene is one of the greatest things available these days. The designers are also making clothing out of these lighter and water whisking recycled polyester. It’s a green product as well. If you would like to really blend in to the local culture check out a tailor or local clothing market and buy a Hijab while you are visiting. People will appreciate the gesture and it may lead to more interaction with the locals.
The women of Islam are usually required to dress in a hijab by law of the state and/or by their family. The hajib has been a topic of discussion in many countries and has often lead to heated debates about when women should wear them, if they should banned, if the law requires women to wear them and what are they acceptable styles. Women travelers need to have an understanding of local social codes. This knowledge will help to avoid disrespecting the local population. It is a very highly politicized subject which requires a traveler, male or female, to educate themselves and be aware of current events popping up which surround the very sensitive subject.
Social Behavior
It is well-known that women in a moderate to strict Muslim society must follow the rules of Islāmic laws or face the consequences. It is important to remember that we travelers are just visiting and must respect local codes of conduct.
On the other side, we are like embassadors from our own countries. The way we behave in public while visiting may have a long reached effect on how locals view our country. We should want to make the best impression since most of the time the country’s media and the movies and television shows exported to the country are the only exposure they have to a country like the United States. All media takes an extreme perspective on a culture or group of people. This being said, act on your best behavior.
This means, act on the side of caution. It is best to be self aware and not get lost in and forget what surrounds you. We all have those moments were we start getting comfortable with our surrounds. So much, that we behave as if we are back in our own country. Stay focused and always remember where you are and concentrate on what surrounds you. This will also keep you out of harms way.
Here is more information on gender roles in different societies.
So it’s about a week or so until the flight is taking off to the other side of the earth and it’s time to start packing. What is in your bag will be the same amount for a trip that’s a month or a year in general terms. This is of course considering that you will be finding a laundry to freshen up the travel garments along the way. Don’t count on it. Save your money since most places will be doing what you would do and that’s washing by hand and in a tub of water with a little soap. As Rick Steves says, “Pack light and pack smart.”
The basic clothing
Best course of action is to lay out what you have to take with you. This will all depend on the climate or types of climates you will be trudging through. The basics first will be undergarments (underwear and socks) and then bottoms, tops, jacket (preferably one multi-functioning, light in weight, and water proof or resistant), shoes (also ideally one pair that is also multi-functioning) and small cosmetics bag (most in the 2 ounce size if possible). Now, put everything out and see if they will fit your minimum standard for comfort. The choices of tops and bottoms (I have had luck with Patagonia gear) ideally will be ones that are also made of fast drying materials and are easily washable. Personally, my laundry has many times been done in the sink or wash basin supplied by my hostel. Don’t expect most things made of cotton to dry overnight unless you are in the middle of the Sahara in the summer.
The bag and it’s peripherals
It’s now time to start packing. I’m assuming you have taken the time to find the best pack. I like the ones that have good zipper with a proper place to attach a small lock on(TSA approved of course), are light in weight, and have a good hip belt for support. Forget the ones with the wheels and the cool colors. They end up being bulky, heavy and who wants to wheel around a suitcase through a dirty street and then pick it up after being covered in filth. Besides, the backpack allows you to have your hands free.
Look for something that’s feels comfortable and the correct size. This is an investment so do your research by reading reviews and find out which type and brand of pack is worth the money. I suggest a company that just specialized in travel gear like my favorite: Eagle Creek. It suits me but like everything, find what works for you. A 30 liter size is an ideal size to start looking at. It will likely be small enough to carry on a plane and be universally acceptable when using public buses and vans. Less like to make the locals annoyed or agree when they will be using the same space to put their own goods into. Also, good to consider one with a built-in cover for when it rains or you need to put it on top of a van or bus. For further help, consult the folks at stores like REI and Patagonia are also experienced travelers.
Next is consider using compression stuff sacks made of sturdy nylon. I usually take two medium-sized ones using one for clean and one for dirty laundry. The clothes and other basics can now be placed in the bag. Let’s see how much room you have left, and is it time to put more or less in? This is a good time to try the pack on and see how comfortable you are with the weight. If you are comfortable with the weight then add more to the pack. Keep in mind that you may want to leave room for stuff you want to pick up along the way and consider if you can live without out it. There is no need for it weighing you down if you end up using the items a couple of times if not at all.
All the rest
The items in your bag and what you decide to take on your journey is up to you. Many travelers debate on what is and what is not acceptable. Each traveler is different and each trip is different. It is just important to take the time and consider what works for you. Things to keep in mind are the following:
Do you need it?
Can I get this along the way and if so, will it be extremely expensive or hard to find or the opposite?
Do I want to carry this much stuff and if not what can I get rid of?
Are my clothing choices practical?
Be aware that the first trip of this sort will be a learning experience and you will have to learn as you go. Be able to just let it go. Do the best you can and hope that you don’t forget anything. Even if you do, you will probably find it along the way and there’s always fed-ex and DHL. This is the beginning of the simple life and hopefully you will discover how little we really need to survive.
Farflungistan
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