Lost Girl Field Trip: Andros Island-Part1

Jen: While I wouldn't trade my position as 1/3 of The Lost Girls writing team for anything in...well...the world, I recently spread my journalist wings and accepted my first solo assignment: a 9-part web series on Andros Island for the pop culture travel site, Jaunted.com. But even though I temporarily flew away from the nest, I felt compelled to bring my stories home to you, my favorite TLG readers. So enjoy my inaugural post and stay tuned each week for a new entry!

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"Big Love for Small Hope"
Every time I see one of those Corona commercials with the bare feet and beer bottles chillin’ out on a stretch of palm-fringed, powdery white sand, I always think “If I could be anywhere in the whole world right now, it’d be there.” Sitting by the ocean…a frosty cocktail in hand…completely sans shoes…Ahh! As luck would have it, I discovered just such a place during an impromptu vacation to Andros Island.

Desperate to escape the chill and gloom that had settled over Manhattan, I accepted a spontaneous invite from my friend Mark for a week of beach bumming, bungalow-side boozing and world-class scuba diving in the Bahamas. In less than a New York minute, I’d stuffed my passport, PADI card and a few bikinis in a bag and was ready to head south in pursuit of the much hotter sun. Although it’s the largest island in the Bahamas, Andros is far less inhabited and touristy than it’s Nassau neighbor, yet conveniently close in proximity (only 15 minutes by plane), making it an ideal destination for a quick trip from the States.

The day was just beginning its slow transformation to twilight, when Mark and I arrived at the Small Hope Bay Lodge, an über laid-back, all-inclusive resort we’d reserved for the week. We were greeted by office manager extraordinaire, Anastasia, who quickly got down to the most important order of business – ensuring we were happy and relaxed with an ice-cold Kalik, a popular Bahamian brew. OK, how could I work it so that I never had to leave this island?

Fortunately for us, Small Hope is a self-contained sliver of paradise, so everything from the guest cottages and main house to the ocean front hot tub and outdoor patio bar are just a few (shoes optional) paces down the beach. Since Mark and I were on the scuba diving package, which includes two tank dives in the morning and a third in the afternoon, our schedule was a bit more ‘rigorous’ but still allowed for ample hammock time. All-in-all, our days went something like this:
8:30am: Leisurely breakfast and chat with the dive masters about the morning scuba trip
9:30am-11:30am: Walk a grueling 100 feet from our cabin to the dive shop to grab our gear and board the lodge-owned dive boat. Experience two out of more than 60 spectacular recreational dives on Small Hope’s regularly scheduled menu, including colorful shallow reefs, coral gardens, wreck dives, blue holes and wall dives. Strip off our wet suits and basked in the sun during the return ride.
12pm-1:30pm: Beach-side lunch followed by a dip in the hot tub
2pm-3:30pm: Another amazing exploration of the Andros Barrier Reef
4pm-6pm: Relax in a hammock and watched the Caribbean waves roll in. Force myself to find another, shadier, hammock setting if the hot Bahamian sun started burning my pasty white Yankee complexion. If feeling extra motivated, indulge in other activities like nature walks or a bike ride to an inland blue hole for a fresh water swim
6:30pm ‘til whenever: : Take up residence at the beach bar for happy hour with my new Small Hope friends. Dine on a delightfully fresh dinner with many sinful desserts (scuba diving burns tons of calories so it’s my duty to make up for it somewhere). Join the impromptu group jam sessions with lodge-owned guitars, bass, make-shift tambourines and harmonica (Note to future guests: I was shocked to discover that I, in fact, have an uncanny harmonic gift/talent for the harmonic arts - particularly with Bob Marley’s No Woman, No Cry - so you’ll have a lot to live up to). Retire early for a peaceful night’s rest in one of only twenty-one, beach-facing rooms. Wake up and repeat it all again the next day.

It’s a tough life, I know. But someone has to do it!

And with no telephones, clocks or televisions to be found, it’s easy to slip off the technology radar completely, which provided a must-needed break for this overly plugged-in New Yorker. But rest assured all you Type A and ‘Crackberry addicts, there is free wi-fi in the lobby and a computer in the main office if you start to experience withdrawal shakes. Although in my opinion, that’s nothing a stiff dose of island rum can’t cure.

But whatever your getaway fantasy, it’s easy to find it here. And since Small Hope Bay Lodge is featured in "1000 Places To See Before You Die" (by Patricia Schultz listed under The Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda), that only leaves you 999 other travel journeys to plan. And with any luck, they’ll also come with a flip flop free guarantee!


For more information on Small Hope Bay Lodge, including activities, all-inclusive packages and rates, visit Small Hope

Heading North for the Winter

HCC: The due date for the book is coming up fast, and so I decided to leave fast-paced New York City in November to move back home to Syracuse for the winter. It’s quieter here so I have more time to think.

Still, I have to discipline myself with a set schedule every day to keep from getting side tracked. So I set my alarm for 8 a.m., and then shower and dress as though I’m going into the office. I’ll make eggs and coffee before sitting down to write for four hours without stopping. I don’t allow myself to check email until after lunch, or else I’ll surely get sucked into the world wide web. An hour break for lunch gives me enough time to eat and walk my sister’s dog, before continuing to write until early evening. My biggest social interaction involves taking a spinning class at the gym. It’s been working pretty well for me so far, and I’ve discovered that writing is just as much of a craft as it is an art.

Rather than filling my nights with happy hours, public relations events, or any of the other million things that are always happening in the city, you kind of have to make your own fun here—time seems slower somehow. Last Friday night I went to my sister Sara’s house to bake Christmas cookies and have a beer. We randomly went sledding at midnight, stomachs full of sugar, flour, and chocolate chips. Sara's husband kind of looked at us like we were crazy—which we probably are—when we walked out the door with our plastic sleds. I told him Sara and I didn't have kids yet, so sometimes it's okay to still act like one!

Packing Made Simple

The holidays can be pretty hectic, so it's easy to forget to put an important item in your suitcase before hitting the road (one LG actually misplaced a typhoid vaccine enroute to South America, and has since learned to be a lot more organized). We came across this cool customized packing list of over 100 common items ranging from documents to toiletries to gear. It even lets you add your own essentials. Once you've checked the items you need, you can create your own unique list to mail to yourself and your friends, or to save to your desktop for future trips. Happy travels!

Photo credit: fredlet.wordpress.com/.../

Live from the Wienermobile: Chasing Shadows

Here's the latest on-the-road dispatch from our Weinermobile girls. You can read more about their hot dogging adventures by clicking here

We’ve already posted on how we pass the time during long drives, but sometimes the serious silliness of our job distracts us for a while. Like when we’re looking at our shadow.

Live from the Wienermobile: How to be a Hot Dogger, too.

Here's the latest on-the-road dispatch from our Weinermobile girls. You can read more about their hot dogging adventures by clicking here

Molly and Selena: The Wienermobile is our only car. That means we drive it to the store for groceries, the bank for cash, the mall for clothes. That also means everywhere we go, people ask us how we got our job.

We don’t blame them for their curiosity. In so many ways, we have a dream job. Oscar Mayer pays us (a real, grown-up salary) to drive across the country; we spend our weekdays making people smile and our weekends exploring different states.

Did we mention we don’t pay any bills? For one year, our lives are overwhelmingly great.

So, how did we land this plush gig? Kind of how you’d land any other job fresh out of college – with a strong resume, polished interview skills, and a genuine interest in the position.

Each year, Oscar Mayer hires a crew of college graduates to pilot its Wienermobile fleet. This year, seven Wienermobile vehicles traverse the country – six full-size vehicles and one scaled-down version of the icon built on a Mini Cooper. Our managers assign each Wienermobile to a region; two hotdoggers man each vehicle and are responsible for planning events, working with local media and acting as goodwill ambassadors for the company.

Most hotdoggers studied some form of communication – advertising, journalism, marketing, public relations, etc. – but all majors can apply, and Oscar Mayer specifically looks for enthusiastic, personable and trustworthy applicants (after all, they hand us the keys to the Wienermobile!).

Interested in trying out? The yearlong job is highly sought after – Oscar Mayer received at least 1,200 applications for14 spots last year – but we’ll give you our four-step path to hotdogger fame:

1. Apply now: Get your resume and application materials turned in by the end of January for the Hotdogger Class 22, which hits the roads in June 2009.
2. Study up: First built in 1936, the Wienermobile has some serious history. Click on over to Oscar Mayer’s Web site, and peruse the What’s a Wienermobile section
3. Be punny: Hotdoggers aren’t required to use hot dog puns, but we sure do think they’re franktastic. Pluck a few out of the Hotdogger Oath (http://brands.kraftfoods.com/oscarmayer/omm_hotdogoath.htm), and pepper your application materials with your favorite jokes.
4. Think positively: Check out hotdoggerblog.com — our newly launched blog chronicling the adventures of all seven teams — and envision yourself behind the wheel of a giant hot dog.

Live from the Wienermobile: Getting Lush for T-Giving

Here's the latest on-the-road dispatch from our Wienermobile girls. You can read more about their hot dogging adventures by clicking here

Molly and Selena: We’re a little bit spoiled when it comes to traveling. Driving across the country in a Wienermobile means we (almost) never have to haggle with TSA agents, fork over cash for our baggage or dash to catch connecting flights. Plus, the whole back of the Wienermobile (check out the picture) is storage for office supplies and luggage, so we don’t stress about carryon-sized anything.

Now we’re heading home for some turkey. When it seems like the entire nation is cutting back on holiday travel, we know we’re lucky to make it home for Thanksgiving at all – but that doesn’t make the fit-it-into-a-carry-on dilemma any easier, particularly when it comes to liquids.

Which is why we’re intrigued by Lush’s solid shampoos. (http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/hair/solid-shampoos) Packaged like bars of soap, they’re supposed to lather up like any other shampoo and could theoretically double as bodywash. As a bonus, they come in delicious-sounding scents like Godiva and Jumping Juniper.

We haven’t yet gotten our hands on the shampoos or the solid Jungle Conditioner (http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/hair/conditioners/jungle), which the British-based company lists as a best seller. If the bars work as well as Lush’s other products, though, we’ll be ditching our Ziplock baggies come Christmas.

Have you used these shampoos? Or better yet, do you have any genius tips for keeping carryon bags TSA-friendly?

North Carolina: The Writing Retreat

ADP: On Saturday, I flew down to Tampa and drove 9 hours north with my family to Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Dad and his wife Nadine bought a house there a couple years ago (before the market started crashing) and they constantly drive up to take advantage of the solitude and spectacular views.

This year, there were several reasons that I felt strongly compelled to join them, and here they are, in no particular order:

1. Turkey Day: Rather than the massive extended family gathering that we typically have at my Aunt's and Uncle's place in Courtlandt Manor (an hour north o f NYC) Dad, Nadine and my sister Jenn decided that we'd rather retreat to the mountains and do our own subdued affair.

That by no means translates to less food consumed. Dad Pressner fancies himself quite the gourmet chef, and has been planning our feast for days and possibly weeks on end. All I have to do is show up, gorge, and promise to wash a few dishes. You know, after my nap.

2. Impending deadlines: Um, so we're a little behind on the deadline for our book. It's not due yet (Jan 30th, to be exact) but we're not exactly putting the finishing touches on our first draft either. Eep! 

Earlier this year, through a trial and error, we realized that you can't expect to write a full-length memoir at night after putting in 10+ hours a day at work. That's why, in August, The Lost Girls once again made some pretty big lifestyle changes: Jen quit her job, Holly stopped accepting freelance assignments, and I negociated a part-time gig at my magazine. Since then, our fingers have been flying on our respective keyboards, but we all needed to get away this month to really concentrate (we're all bad at turning down social activities and other must-do events at home). Jen's in St. Augustine with her folks, Holly's in Syracuse with her mom and sisters, and I'm in Maggie Valley.

Since arriving at the NC house, I've been able to fully throw myself into the chapters, and write in a much more comfy/cozy environment than my cramped apartment. I leave the house once a day to walk down the hill, get exercise, and maybe go on a grocery shopping run. In early December, we're turning in the first half of the book to our editor (told you were were behind!) so fingers crossed. 




3. My Jack O'Lantern Smile: Okay, this might gross a few of you out, which is why I seperated this from the turkey day post. Last Friday, I had to get some dental surgery with resulted in my front right tooth getting taken out. Ahhhh! They're replacing it, of course, but for 6 months, I have to wear a "temporary." Its not the most awesome thing that can happen to a girl, but I'm so grateful to have a week and half or so where I can rest, heal and not see anyone besides my family. They're having a blast making hillbilly jokes, but I actually think that I look a bit more like Alfred E. Newman (the guy on the Mad Magazine covers).

At the very least, my new look helps give me this healthy new perspective on all of those upcoming deadlines....

What, me worry?

Stay in New York on the Cheap

HCC: For those of us on a backpackers’ budget but who want to stay within walking distance of New York’s trendiest neighborhoods, The Jane Hotel opened its doors this fall. The restored waterfront building has rooms for just $99 a night and is next to the legendary Meatpacking District, West Village, and Chelsea.

Granted, these rooms—modeled after luxury train or ship cabins—are only 50 square feet and have communal bathrooms down the hall. Still, what they lack in space they make up for in character (the building was once a sailors’ stomping ground, after all). Plus, each room comes equipped with free Internet, air conditioning, and flat-screen televisions.

There’s another upside to the meager room size: Guests are more likely to get out and mingle in the lobby. More upscale than the hostel scene, the space was once a ballroom before being converted into the Jane Street Theater. The owners, who also created the chic Bowery and Maritime Hotels, are replacing the lobby’s wall of windows with a French-door lined terrace, as well as adding a sauna to the tiled pool in the basement. And for those who crave a little more sleeping space, you can opt for one of the 50 rooms at 250 square feet with private bathrooms—for about double the price tag.

Live from the Wienermobile: Escape to Oz

Here's the latest on-the-road dispatch from our Weinermobile girls. You can read more about their hot dogging adventures by clicking here

by Selena Armendarez and Molly Ferges

We’ll be frank: We’ve been giddy about our trip to Wamego, KS since it was scheduled (around the time of our first hurricane, back in July).

With a quaint Main Street and picturesque windmill, the small town would be a pleasant stop for an afternoon of fudge samples and antique shopping…if you hadn’t been a Wizard of Oz fan since birth, like us.

But Oz fans we are, and Wamego is Mecca.

Each year, the town of about 4,000 brings in more than 30,000 visitors – all thanks to the State of Kansas-funded Oz Museum, which enjoys plum Main Street real estate. Now, the town is flush with Wizard-themed businesses, including Totoz Tacoz, a Mexican restaurant and the Emerald City Market, a gourmet food shop.

Sheepishly, we loved it all. The town was touristy, the theme restaurants cheesy and the gift shop stocked with frivolous souvenirs, but Dorothy and her pals hold a special place in our hearts.

As kids, we both obsessed over this film. We rewound so often that the Wicked Witch lost her fear factor, Halloween costumes rotated among characters, and red shoes were de rigueur.

The museum didn’t disappoint. A sepia farmhouse opens up into a Technicolor display of L. Frank Baum memorabilia, a Haunted Forest replica and life-size movie figurines. We reveled in the nostalgia, but at some point we realized the movie isn’t too different from our own cross-country adventure: We spend plenty of time outrunning extreme weather, shopping for shoes, and journeying to new lands.

Love, Marriage, and Wine

HCC: My sister, Sara, got married last month. Rather than celebrate her dwindling days as a single woman by hiring a cheesy stripper to perform (why pay for something when a woman can get it for free? Ha!), or going on a beer-fueled pub crawl, we opted to do a wine tour through upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region.Dozens of wineries dot the shores along Seneca, Cayuga, and Keuka Lakes. Plus, the climate is perfect for growing grapes that churn out crisp Reisling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.

We loaded ten women into a limo that picked us up at my sister’s house in Syracuse for the tour through Seneca Lake. A cooler packed with beers, cheese, crackers, and other snacks provided sustenance for the 50-minute ride to the trail. Sara may have been spared the lap dances, but her caring friends still forced her to wear a tiara that said “Bachelorette” and to sip wine out of a phallic sippy cup.

With over 36 wineries to choose from, we decided to not be overly-ambitious (for Sara’s livers’ sake) and chose to visit just four. We kicked off the tour at Hazlitt’s, started in 1852 and best-known for their Red Cat brand, and plopped down at a picnic table to split a bottle of Bramble Berry wine (I’d recommend only if you like sweet dessert wines).

Next we headed to spot perfect for Jerry Garcia fans: Rasta Ranch Vineyards. Here we sampled the Greatful Red (dry, berry finish); Piece of my Heart (described as “a jug Janice would be proud to drink”); and Purple Haze (a light, fruity red). You can pretty much guess the ambience: Joplin music in the background, tie-dye tees for sale, and burning incense.

Next was Wagner's, which all you beer lovers will be happy to know is both a winery and brewery. Being Columbus Day weekend, the lines were out the door—I’d definitely recommend making reservations for this popular vineyard. There’s a restaurant onsite, and you can take your wine selection to the patio for panoramic views of the vineyards and lake.

Our final destination was Three Brothers Wineries & Estates, which only recently opened. With three wineries to choose from, we of course picked the one touted as being “for those who have a lot more fun in a dive bar.” So we followed a dirt trail to the edge of a pond for the “backwoods bayou tasting room” known as Rogue’s Hollow Winery. Upon arrival, Sara was thrilled to discover that her tiara-wearing self wasn’t the only form of live entertainment: Our group ended up getting the dance party started outdoors while listening to the two-man band (well, a man and his talented 10-year old son who was playing the harmonica, trumpet, and a handful of other instruments).

While autumn is the perfect time to visit because of the leaves turning blazing shades of red, yellow, and orange, winter is a fine time to come as well. You’ll miss the crowds and have a better opportunity to learn about the winemaking process, since the owners won’t be as crazed. Plus, you can sample vino on the cheap with the , which allows you to pay $10 for unlimited visits to dozens of wineries from December 8th to April 13th (tasting fees at each are usually $1 to $4). To really enjoy yourself and not have to worry about driving or planning, try signing up for a Finger Lakes Wine Tour.

Cool stuff: Damn Good Candy Canes!

ADP: Christmas came a little early to my cubicle this year. One of the candy companies that I work with in my job as a food and nutrition editor (I know, tough life) sent me a box of these pink and white striped canes. Normally, I can take or leave anything minty (except those powdery squares typically offered in a big glass jars at Chinese restaurants) so I distributed half the box amongst my co-workers.

So uproarious wast the reaction to this little edible gift that I had to unwrap a cane and try it for myself.

Holy sweet Santa! The mint factor was incredibly mild, almost creamy, and when I actually took the time to look at the package, I discovered that this candy is made with just four organic ingredients (cane juice, brown rice syrup, peppermint flavor and fruit juice).

Since they're only 62 calories each, I'm eating my second one as I type this. I may have a third later. Gotta say--this made a far superior snack to the sugar-free Peep pumpkins I had yesterday.

Live from the Wienermobile: Boycotting the Chains

Here's the latest on-the-road dispatch from our Weinermobile girls. You can read more about their hot dogging adventures by clicking here

Molly and Selena: CBS News reported last week on a trend that we’re noticing all too often as we criss-cross the country: struggling local business.

As often as possible, we hit up local restaurants. The food is usually tastier, the service more personalized, and we’re always happy to give our money to a community business instead of a corporate chain.

But as the economy sinks ever lower, there just aren’t as many of those mom-and-pop joints.

In Springfield, Missouri last month, we pulled up to Tortilla’s, a family-owned Mexican restaurant. The owners stepped outside to snap a photo of the Wienermobile – and tell us that they had closed shop two days ago, for good.

In search of espresso and pie in a Houston suburb in September, we detoured to a local coffee shop…only to meet the owners who were shutting off the building’s water and electricity that morning.

The CBS piece focused on a shuttered Elkhart, Indiana barbecue joint and spelled out just how troubling the situation is all around—for entrepreneurs, for their employees, for local culture. Least of all, it’s disappointing for travelers like us who want a bite of something authentic.

The silver lining? We’re more determined to skip the chains. Fellow Lost Girls, are you with us?

Is Venice Really Sinking?

ADP: Earlier this month, my boyfriend Jeff and I were invited to join a group of journalists on a five day whirlwind tour of three Italian cities—Venice, Florence and Rome. I've been trying to stay close to home lately (writing the book has been a study in discipline for me, as there's always something more distracting and immediate to attend to) but neither of us could pass up the chance to explore some of the world's most culturally relevant sites. Plus, my friend Courtney told me that in Italy, they have a rule that you must eat gelato eat least once a day to stay fit and healthy. So, we both signed up for our absentee ballots, packed our bags and booked the tickets to the first city—Venice.

I'd been to the City of Bridges nine years ago with fellow LG Jen Baggett right after we graduated from Florida State, and predictably, we absolutely fell in love with the place. One of our favorite spots (and arguably, the most recognizable) was Piazza San Marco, or San Marco Square. The summer we were there, gathering places was absolutely packed with tourists, photographers and pigeons, the latter of which flew around artistically for photos before dropping back down to collect breadcrumbs.

Jen and I paid some ridiculous amount of lire (this was in the pre-Euro days) to sip cappuccinos along its perimeter and sample finger food from tiny bowls. Up until that summer, I'd sort of hated olives...squishy little black things that came from jars and ruined an otherwise perfectly good slice of pizza. That day, I tried a fresh, ripe, deliciously perfect green olive no doubt picked somewhere nearby and delivered, still warm, to our table. One bite, and I became a devotee.

During our stay in summer of 2000, the was warm, the skies azure and cloudless, and it was nearly impossible to imagine that that the rumors were true. Venice couldn't be in any danger of sinking....could it?

Nine years later, I observed the answer to that with my own eyes—and feet. On Halloween morning, our group disembarked from a taxi boat and entered San Marco Square, only to find that it was completely flooded. The only way to move from one side to another was to walk across a serious of raised wooden walkways, or passarelle.

This path snakes across the square and actually continues inside the Basilica...the water level has gotten so high that completely covers the intricate mosaic tile floors of the cathedral. As we walked through, I could see tiny little streams of bubbles rising from the ground. While there was so much beauty to look at all around me in the church, it was all I could do to avoid looking down and wondering what kind of damage all of this water is causing. Our guide told me that the flooding is worst from late October to April, when changes in the weather and tides bring even more water the Adriatic Sea into the Venetian lagoon.

Whether or not Venice is still sinking—or if its reached a critical point where the flooding won't get any worse—is still being debated by engineers and city planners (PBS devoted a whole series to the topic). Most experts, however, generally agree that it's still slowly going down. Several massive construction projects have been proposed to hold back the tide, and keep the rush of acqua alta (high water) from completely drowning the city.

In May 2003, the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi approved the building of The Gates, a wall of hinged barriers at each of the three entrances to Venetian lagoon that would rise at the flick of a switch to block extreme high tides from entering. The should be finished in 2011.

Until then, tourists will just have to resign themselves to hopping across the passarelle or packing a pair of Wellingtons in their suitcase. Locals, as the have been for hundred of years, will simply seek out higher ground during the floods, and go about life as usual.

The Longest Trip

The Lost Girls have come across three other Lost Boys named Stephen, Dean, and Devin. They're starting a website, called The Longest Trip, about looking for answers to everything from which city to call home to how to make a living doing what you love.

"The Longest Trip started out as more of an abstract concept of traveling day-to-day through life. In the end, the hope is to take that abstraction and apply it to an actual journey, such as maybe a cross-country roadtrip," says Stephen Bailey, one of the masterminds behind the idea.

If you're in NYC on Thursday, November 13, check out Solas (232 East 9th Street) for their launch party. The Lost Girls and, of course, Lost Boys will be there, and we'd love it if you stopped by to say hello.

The World’s Largest Marathon: New York City

HCC: My favorite way to explore any city is to run or bike through it. And I was lucky enough to be able to join 39,000 people running through all five boroughs for the ING New York City marathon last Sunday. More than 100,000 people applied from all over the world.

I took the Staten Island ferry to the starting line and ran the 26.2 miles across the Verranzano-Narrows Bridge, through the Hasidic Jewish and hipster neighborhoods in Brooklyn, past the melting pot of Queens, over bustling Manhattan, into cheering crowds in the Bronx, and finally crossed the finish line in Central Park. It was like running through dozens of countries in a single day. The best part was by far the two-million spectators: Kids supplied candy and squealed in delight when runners gave them high-fives, bands rocked out with live music, and people yelled your name in encouragement if you displayed it on your shirt.

The biggest difference I noticed this year from when I ran it back in 2002 was the plethora of politically-charged signs: Spectators waved messages such as “Yes, YOU can!” and “I can see the marathon from my backyard.”

My goal was to break four hours, and I did it by one minute (3:59!). Scarlett Johanssan’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, finished the race in 3:50. British Paula Radcliffe took first place for women (again!) when she crossed the line in just 2:23, and the men’s prize went to Brazilian Marilson Gomes Dos Santos, who sprinted the course in just 2:08.

I hobbled my way post-race to meet my friends at The Parlour, an Irish pub on the Upper West Side, where I refueled with French fries, ice cream, and a celebratory Guiness.

Photo Credit: ING New York City Marathon

Live from the Wienermobile: Relish Your Vote

Molly and Selena: With record voter turnouts expected, a woman up for Vice President and an African American vying for the presidential slot, today's election promises historic results – and we can't help but feel the energy. We don't care if you're red, blue or purple. Just relish your right! We already have.

Live from the Wienermobile: 4 Ways to Pass The Time on Road Trip

Here's the latest on-the-road dispatch from our Weinermobile girls. You can read more about their hot dogging adventures by clicking here

Molly and Selena: Well, we’re exhausted! In the last 13 days, we’ve driven through nine states and visited at least 11 towns.

That means we’ve logged at least 40 hours cruising in the Wienermobile. So, how do we pass the time? Because – sorry, Kansas! – the Midwestern plains don’t engage the senses quite like the Rocky Mountains.

Sometimes, we’re boring and work (hey, we have hotels to book, events to plan and blog entries to write!), but usually we embrace the time. Here, our top picks for wiling away a 9-hour drive.

1. Simply Audiobooks: We just discovered this gem of a subscription service. Like Netflix for audio books, the program sends us one title at a time for $15 a month.

2. CB radio: Flip on this trucker radio to eavesdrop on the world of professional drivers. We admit, this is more fun in a Wienermobile – who knew truckers love to sing the jingle? – but we still guarantee a solid hour of entertainment.

3. Learn Italian Pod: It’s not Rosetta Stone, but we download these language podcasts, upload them to our iPods, hook our adaptors up to the radio, and start conjugating. So far, we know how to say “gelato.”

4. White boards: Hold a dry erase board up in the window, write something clever, and watch the responses. Our favorites: “Honk if you like hot dogs!” and “I love your car!”

Now, you tell us! What do you do on long road trips?

Feel-Good Gifts

Though political pundits may be debating whether or not we’re really in a recession, you need look no further than rising gas and food prices to know that your bank balance is falling. Many of the hardest hit during the economic downturn will be the world’s poorest women as people pinch pennies. But empowering women to support themselves and their families battles poverty because they’re more likely to spend the funds on food, education, and health care for their children, according to Women Thrive, a non-profit that gives poor women in over 15 countries economic opportunities.

Recession or no recession, lots of us will still be buying holiday gifts. When you purchase presents from Shop The Cause, your money goes back to the women who made them in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Check out some of the jewelry adorned with semi-precious stones, such as the necklace this Ecuadorian woman created. You’ll also find embroidered cosmetic bags made by Mayan women, baskets woven in Darfur, and peace candles crafted in Israel. Each and every item will be a gift that gives back.

Photo credit: Lucina Jewelry

Live from the Wienermobile: Heavy Python Petting

Here's the latest on-the-road dispatch from our Weinermobile girls. You can read more about their hot dogging adventures by clicking here.


Molly and Selena:As Hotdoggers, we’re used to surprising people. We drive up in the Wienermobile, honk the jingle horn, and watch for smiles, thumbs-ups and camera phones.

But on a Sunday afternoon in Junction City, KS, we were definitely the surprised ones.

After making a wrong turn into a residential neighborhood, we spotted a group of teens and parents outside. We prepped the horn and readied our entrance, until Selena’s eyes opened wide. “Did you SEE that?” She asked.

And there it was: A 14-foot-long Burmese Python shedding its skin and casually hanging out on the front lawn like a squirrel might. Of course, we parked the Wienermobile to get the full scoop.

The owner had purchased the snake as a pet when it was about a foot long. Now, he wanted to sell the python, but no one wanted to buy the full-size version.

The best part of the stop, though? Even as we gaped at the enormous reptile, people still stopped to check out the Wienermobile – oblivious to the python behind the chain link fence. A Wienermobile sighting, it seems, is more rare than an exotic pet.

Election 2008: Voting for change!

ADP: I filled out absentee ballot this weekend and dropped it off in the mailbox on the way to work this morning. Yay for the electoral process. Cheers for change I can believe in!

As much as I would have loved to do the deed with my fellow New Yorkers on November 4th, I failed to switch my registration from Florida (where I'm from) in time. Oops! Can't say I'm disappointed...I have a feeling it might make more difference down there anyway.

I am a tad embarrassed to admit, this is my FIRST TIME casting a ballot in a presidential election (any election, really) but I thought this was a pretty important time to get involved. Plus, I did see a few centenarians casting their votes for the very first time on CNN, so I figure I'm still 70 years ahead of the game.

If you live in New York State and plan to be out of town on election day, you still have time to get an absentee ballot! Click here to snag a form, and read how and where to send it here.

How to: Pack for a Year Away

by Jodi Ettenberg

After being on the road for a few months, I've found that everyone becomes a walking encyclopedia of travel tips. "Oh, you DEFINITELY need to check X place out, but whatever you do, don't go to Y." I am not exempt from this pathological need to impart advice, and have amassed a laundry list of tips, tricks and places to eat over my months of travel. When the Lost Girls asked me to put together an advice post, I kept going back to what kicked off my year: the terror of packing.

It is easy to get overwhelmed when packing for a RTW trip. Everyone has a different, often conflicting, piece of advice for you and you can research for hours on end, only to find yourself paralyzed, rucksack in front of you, trying desperately to choose between a black zip up or a pullover. In the end, packing for a trip so varied tends to be extremely subjective and based on itinerary and personal preference; my friends who have opted for the "round the world without winter" trip didn't need to contemplate a compressible cold weather jacket or a heavier sleeping bag as I did. And then there is The Great Jeans Debate (not to be confused with the Great Laptop Debate, about which many a BnA post is devoted): when I set out, I left my jeans at home. But somewhere between Chile and Peru I started to actually...crave a pair. I stopped feeling like me without them. And while zip offs and quick dry pants are extraordinarily practical, it was great to have a pair of jeans to slip on when I wasn't trekking.

After many months of research and several slack-jawed hours of staring at my piles of items to pack, the following comprises my "thank god I brought them" items. The essentials - deodorant, underwear (though not the wicking kind - you will be glad to have some cotton panties, ladies!), soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc - have been left out.


1. The "Bag in a Bag". There is a slew of posts on BootsnAll and other message boards about whether one should go with a backpack / rucksack or a more travel-adapted Eagle Creek pack, where you can zip up the whole thing and lock it. Unfortunately, due to a bad back and the fact that I am practically a midget, the Eagle Creek travel packs didn't work for me. The hipbelt fell at my mid-thighs, even in the women's model. I thus opted for a Gregory Deva 60 pack, which is by far the best pack I have ever owned. Since the pack has a myriad of zippers and pockets, it is impossible to lock with some piece of mind....unless you go with the Bag in a Bag option. I picked mine up in Canada (at Mountain Equipment Coop) but you can also get an REI or EMS duffel bag or Osprey's AirPorter. The "Bag in a Bag" meant that my rucksack looked fairly innocuous when on planes or buses (actually, I referred to it as containing "dead people" since it was lumpy and curved, just like my Gregory Pack. It got some odd looks when coming off a plane's luggage belt), it had extra room to stuff in jackets or boots that couldn't fit IN my rucksack and - the best - when other people were missing stuff from random pockets in their packs, mine was completely locked. Most of the travelers on my bus from Uyuni to La Paz in Bolivia had their packs rifled through quite enthusiastically - mine was still locked and protected. These duffels each have shoulder straps too - so you can carry it for a bit if you need to.

2. Zinetic Pocket Slippers: I discovered these as I was about to leave and they have been great. They're absurdly small and they conveniently roll up into a ball for storage. I kept them in my daypack at all times, and was able to relax almost immediately upon boarding a train, bus or plane: off came the hikers, and on went the Zinetics. Also, for those of you traveling Argentina, the deliciously comfortable overnight buses have a "no shoes? no bus ride!" rule, and my Zinetics meant that I was able to keep my shoes off and still not get screamed at by the attendant. Extra bonus? If you don't have flip flops, the Zinetics have a rubber sole so they can be used in hostel showers, and they dry quick.

3. Headlamp: Almost everyone I met had a headlamp, but I can't stress how useful they truly are. I used mine in hostels, trains and buses when I wanted to read without a spotlight in my face, and on the many camping trips, hikes or overnight treks along the way. I have a Petzl Tikka Plus, which I picked because of its light weight. However, were I to buy another, I'd opt for the Petz Tactikka Plus, since the red light means that you can read unobtrusively (I might have blinded a few fellow travelers by looking up at them as they entered a room).

4. Pack towel: Dries quick, durable and absolutely indispensable. MSR seems to hold up the longest and remains the least smelly.

5. Sleep sack/Sleeping bag: Used one of the 2 almost every night. My sleeping bag is a Mountain Hardwear Lamina 35F bag and is amazingly soft. It's synthetic, not down (so it can be washed and tumble tried without fear) and it compresses really well for a synthetic bag. It was a great addition since I was in colder climates for the first few months. For warmer weather, a sleep sack (I opted for one of my favorite brands, Sea to Summit) was used just about every night that my sleeping bag stayed stowed.

6. Ziploc Big Bags: These are gargantuan ziplocs and for those of you doing any hiking/camping or overnight safaris, they are great. They fold up small, can be used for wet stuff when you swim or get stuck in a monsoon, and are perfect for putting your hiking boots in at night when you sleep. I was the only one without any creepy-crawlies (read: large spiders) in my hiking boots in the morning because they were stowed in one of these bags. I threw this Big Bag in at the last minute pre-departure and it ended up being a great item to have!

7. Fleece Pillowcase: I used a stuff sack with fleece on the inside for the first leg of my trip, but ended up switching to (and preferring) the pillowcase instead. It takes up almost no room, can be dumped into the wash and makes a very comfortable pillow. I used to do the "put-all-my-clothes-in-a-scarf-and-hope-this-stays-put-while-I-sleep" thing, and this small item works way, way better. For those of you with sewing skills (i.e. not me), just buy a bolt of fleece from a fabric store and sew your own.

8. Ipod: I barely used mine at home, but it has been indispensable on the road for long bus rides, showing new friends what music you enjoy, blocking out the sounds of (a) The Passion of the Christ being shown at full volume at 1am on a night bus to Banos, Ecuador, (b) the loudest snorer of all time sharing a train carriage with me and (c) dogs howling furiously in Mongolia, as well as for passing the time on flights. If you have an Ipod touch you can also dump Wikipedia on the device (accessible without the internet) and a currency exchange application or dictionary, each serving to make your life easier when you need information on the go.

9. U-Pillow: I've never traveled with so many sleeping implements, but this pillow was a savior on long transport runs. You can squish down in your seat and lean your head over and .....zzzzz. It's instant comfort.

10. Compression Sacks: Everyone is an expert on how to pack clothes down tightly for a rucksack, and many don't opt for compression sacks at all. I know I wouldn't be able to fit my clothes in my bag without them. Instead of the pure waterproof, thicker material, I use the nylon impregnated with silicon model from....you guessed it: Sea to Summit. Since the bags themselves are so light and thin, they were an easy item to pack. I also have a spare stuff sack in the same siliconized nylon for dirty laundry.

Runner Ups (also indispensable but less gush-worthy):
- Gore-tex windbreaker,
- Teeny stretch glove liners
- Leggings (doubled as sleepwear fairly often)
- Sock liners for hiking (and moleskin...lots of moleskin)
- Lightweight travel umbrella
- Bandanna (drenched with DEET when mosquitoes were present, washcloth, sun protection, etc).
- The "just add water" towels - in a bind, these were great to have.
- sunscreen
- Pack covers. Again, Sea to Summit is my favorite brand. Very sturdy.
- Lots of extra quart size Ziploc bags
- Antibiotics (Z pack and Cipro), and probiotic capsules for when I need to take the antibiotics.
- Leatherman multi-tool (with scissors)
- Jersey dress. Doubles as a nightgown in warmer weather.

Things I regretted bringing and subsequently ditched in random places:
- Far too much Techwick/synthetic long sleeved tops: those posts about the fact that they start to smell no matter how many times you wash them? All true. I kept the tanks, but got rid of the long sleeved shirts and replaced them with Icebreaker clothes (expensive, but a worthy investment) or Old Navy long sleeved t-shirts (not remotely expensive, and deliciously throw-outable without guilt).
- Macabi skirt: great concept, but I found it stuck to my legs (damn static!) and I ended up sending it home and using a cheap jersey skirt I bought at H&M before I left instead.
- Travel shirts/Buzz Off shirts: Lightweight and compressible, they are great in concept but I never used mine and sent them home fairly quickly. I opted for a long sleeved zip up and tank top instead of a travel shirt and used DEET.

The Great Laptop Debate: My family jokes that I am "powered by Google", so a year around the world without interwebs wasn't an option. However, at 5 feet tall and with limited space, I needed to figure out what to bring with. I opted for Nokia's N810 Internet Tablet instead of the many Ultra Portable PCs, mainly because it is extremely light, has Skype built in and camps onto any WiFi signal. I've definitely had laptop envy at times, but it has been easy to update the blog and dump pictures onto Picasa via internet cafe. In hostels, the N810 has been great for calling home using Skype.

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About Jodi:

My family jokes that I inherited my mother's love of travel in the womb, and 29 years later it shows no signs of abating. Growing up in Montreal, I dreamed of doing a RTW trip one day and after 5 years saving up as corporate lawyer in NYC, I quit my job and left for my trip on April 1, 2008. People often ask what made me quit my job and decide to travel, but it was actually the other way around: I took the job in order to save faster so that I could travel. In the end, my priority was seeing the world, and I'm thrilled to be on my journey now. You can follow my travels, and those of my friend Jessica, another former lawyer from NYC, at www.legalnomads.blogspot.com.

• My favorite place thus far: 5 days in the Gobi desert with a nomadic family
• Worse moment: food poisoning and diarrhea during a 4 day Salar de Uyuni trip - in a 4x4 on bumpy roads. Ugh.
• Mascot: "Potato", a conch shell from Key West engraved with the word Potato (background post here), who has his own tag on my blog.
  

Please feel free to send any questions about packing or other RTW-related items to jettenberg@gmail.com.

Travel News: One hotel that's got your bag

TLG: We're not sure who still checks two full-sized pieces of luggage anymore, but if you're a chronic overpacker (or just planning to haul presents across the country over the holidays) there's a cool way to skirt the extra-baggage fees you'll incur at the ticket counter.

Kimpton Hotels just extend its "We Got Your Bag" Program through December 31, 2008. At locations across the U.S. and Canada, hotel guests just need to show proof of a second checked baggage fee upon check-in to receive a room credit in that amount—up to $25.

It's a pretty sweet perk, and the LGs happen to be big fans of the Kimpton brand properties (especially the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge, MA and Hotel Monaco in Denver). Besides being uber cozy, the properties are ultra animal-friendly—they actually have four-legged "pet relations" managers—and can accomodate most requests to include Fluffy or Rover in your stay. If you haven't packed your own Shih Tzu or tabby in your carry-on, the staff will let you borrow their pet, a goldfish, to keep you company on cold nights.

Live from the Weinermobile: The State Fair

Here's the latest on-the-road dispatch from our Weinermobile girls. You can read more about their hot dogging adventures by clicking here.

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Molly and Selena: Is there anything more American than a state fair? Probably only a state fair in Tulsa, OK, behind the wheel of a giant hot dog, next to a massive monument. We spent last week at the Tulsa State Fair, where after passing out Wiener Whistles and showing off our favorite hot dog on wheels, we ate too much fried and chocolate-dipped foods, spun around on more than a few Tilta Whirls, and enjoyed the end of summer surrounded by some of the most American Americana around. Here are a few highlights from the trip:

What does it take to carve this butter statue? Close to 900 pounds of the fat, at least 133 hours of work, and a thermostat set around 40 degrees. That's impressive.



Fair food is usually delicious, but it's also rich and definitely quirky. Amongst the fried and chocolate-dipped selections (including fried brownies, fried bread tacos and chocolate-covered cheesecake), we indulged in a chocolate-dipped pickle. The consensus: Pickles are tasty, chocolate is divine – but they're not soul mates.




Erected in 1953 during Oklahoma's oil hey day, this 76-foot statue – called Golden Oil: Titanic Driller – is now the state's official monument. We think it looks even better next to a Wienermobile.

Lost Girl of the Week: Melissa Saul

TLG: While we welcome Lost Girls from every corner of the globe, we can't help but be a little partial to our own hometown heroines. Not only did Melissa Saul (pictured on the left) have the courage to leave all of her friends and family to move clear across the country to New York City, she also brought her passion and dedication to non-profit organizations with her.

Below, Melissa describes her incredible work with the National Kidney Foundation, how her life was forever changed after experiencing Fall in Manhattan, and how she "found the beauty in the uncertainty and the unknown" -- all told with a raw and witty elegance befitting of a true 'lost' girl!

*****

It was a trip to New York that found me lost....

Born and raised as a Southern California girl, life was always pretty good. Actually, it was great. I had my family and friends, 350 days of sunshine, the beach, Pacific Coast Highway, a decent cd collection, a cozy apartment. I was even getting promoted at work. My life was on track, just as I imagined it would be. Until one day, my roommate and I decided to take a vacation to New York to visit my best friend from college. That’s when phase one of “getting lost” began…

For as long as I can remember, every time I would see my best friend’s New York email signature I would think "one day I’m going to move to New York.” Just seeing the state spelled out was enough for me to imagine myself at Central Park in the fall, with a fuzzy black turtleneck, hair in a bun, gloves, book in one hand, hot chocolate from Payard in the other. But, the fantasy was short-lived as I knew in my heart it would never happen. Too many ties to the people I loved in Cali…

Then something magical happened. I saw “Fall” for the first time…in my life…at Central Park. I saw 2,000 yellow cabs and people in suits and sneakers. I brushed shoulders with the city, with so many cultures of the world represented and so much energy to go around. I was changed forever…

As soon as the wheels touched the ground at LAX and I heard “welcome to Los Angeles, the local time is…” I blurted to my roommate “I’m moving to New York!!” I think the people in the last row heard me. She didn’t believe me…no one believed me. I didn’t believe me. When I told my parents, my mother was mute for three days and my father simply said "no.” My sisters, my friends, my colleagues – everyone, s-h-o-c-k-e-d!

On January 16, I officially parted with the west coast. I cried and sobbed as I said goodbye to my beloved family and friends at the airport (exit stage left - dramatic I know). I cried while I was boarding (loud), I cried for the 6 hour duration of the flight (louder), as we were landing (hysterical), and at JFK (exhausted). Upon arriving at JFK, I was greeted by my suitcase and a beautiful snowfall (wearing flip flops of course). I was completely out of my comfort zone, scared, unsure, unsettled, and just like that…I started to embrace “getting lost.”

As the days carried on, I started to get the hang of the NYC routine. i.e. made my way through Grand Central and earned my spot on the 6 train all while carrying three bags with two pairs of shoes, three papers, an umbrella, an extra jacket, a change of clothes, coffee, a book, and work files; a 5th floor walk-up and paying triple the rent from LA; mice; miniscule living spaces and non-existent kitchens; trains and transfers; flight delays; temperamental rain storms; humidity and bad hair days; the seasons; severe allergies; $15 hot chocolates and $30 sandwiches; the longer work day; east and west blocks; the gym that’s too far (but one block away), and…missing home…

… I found myself and what I was really made of. I found the beauty in the uncertainty and the unknown…and how to own it. Best of all, I learned strength and courage on a whole new level.

As far as my career, I was able to continue my path in the non-profit world. I’m currently managing events for the National Kidney Foundation serving Greater New York. We raise awareness and funds for kidney disease, which strikes 26 million American adults. Another 20 million are at risk and don’t know it.

For anyone interested in helping spread the word, we’re having our 7th Annual New York City 5K Kidney Walk on Sunday, October 19th at the South Street Seaport. This event presents an occasion for dialysis patients, transplant recipients, donor families, living donors, the medical communities, and the general public to celebrate life. Over 3,500 participants of all ages are expected to attend!

To register/donate to the Kidney Walk, please visit: http://walk.kidney.org/newyorkcity or visit http://www.kidneygny.org/ for more information.

Cheers to getting lost and found!

Obama Versus McCain: The Remix

Computer-savvy performance artists have invented a new political spin on the debates: real-time analysis. The show, called ReConstitution, is broadcast on a big screen using a computer software program especially designed to create live re-mixes of the debates. Its the brainchild of MIT grads Eric Gunther, Justin Manor, and John Rothenberg. The Boston-based group also runs the performance and visual arts collective known as SoSolimited.

As the candidates face off, the trio sit in front of the audience wearing black suits, donning sunglasses, and working their magic. They tally up key campaign words such as “terrorism” and “taxes,” remove the video’s background to make the candidate’s body language the sole focus, and morph the closed captioning into colored pixels. “We’re taking a live news event and translating the raw information into meaningful statistical analysis,” explains Manor.

These guys may mix things up, but the legibility of the underlying debate is maintained so you won’t miss a word! And for those who need additional stimulation, drinks will be served. If you didn't catch their show in Boston on September 26th, or in New York City last night (the Lost Girls checked it out), you can still see them live at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. on October 15th.

ReConstitution 2008 - Live Presidential Debates Remix by Sosolimited from Sosolimited on Vimeo.

BootsnAll 10th Anniversary Party: 12/6/08

TLG: For the past decade, travel info and networking website BootsnAll has been hooking up vagabonders of all stripes with the know-how and social support needed to launch their own domestic and international journeys. In fact, when planned our own RTW adventure, we scoured BnA for info on hostels, advice on packing and even used their trip planner feature to price out cheapo-deepo airline tickets.

This year, BnA is turning 10, which in blog years makes them just old enough to...do all kinds of crazy stuff. Drink. Party their asses off. Get naked and go streaking across the quad.

From the looks of things, the brains behind BnA are planning to do all three this winter at one gigantic anniversary bash Portland, Oregon. Of course, it wouldn't be real party without all you crazy readers and ravers, so better start booking your planes, trains and automobiles now. Here's what you need to know to ring in a new era of BnA:

The BootsnAll 10th Anniversary Bash
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2008
Location: The Wonder Ballroom in Portland, Oregon
Time: 7 pm till 11 pm - main party
After Party: 11 pm till 2 am - DJ spinning and all that stuff.

Besides the promise of some really killer photos, here's why the founders Chris Heidrich and Sean Keener say you should come.

Top 13 Reasons to Come to the BnA 10 year anniversary Party

1) It’s gonna be fun. We have tonnes of travel prizes and activities that you probably haven’t done before.

2) It’s gonna be huge. The Wonder Ball Room can accommodate up to 600 people. We’re not sure how many will be there, but when was the last time you went to an event, put on by a private company that has been in the online travel space for 10 years? Never? Thought so. Come.

3) If you come, I will give you a hug. Now, you’ll need to mention this, and I will happily do it. There is not enough hugging in this world.

4) Beer, Wine, and Fun. There will be loads of drinks. If you are a drinker, you’ll be fine here. If you are non-drinker, you will also be happy cuz no one will be getting smashed out of their minds besides Static (and me once the dance party starts at 11 pm).

5) Rolf Potts. Legendary traveler and writer Rolf Potts is coming to the BnA 10 year anniversary party. Come meet and drink with this thoughtful traveler.

6) Get inspired about life: Are you bored with your job? Are going through the motions in life? If so, get your arse to this party and meet people that are planning epic trips, on epic trips, or just got back from an epic trip.

7) Aussies. Yeah, you know. The folks from down under. The shrimp on a barbie/kangaroo hamburger people. At least one of them will be at this party giving away drinks and spreading good cheer. Meet this secret guest and uncover the secret of Australia, the modern day land of milk and honey.

8) If you come, BootsnAll’s Italy Lover Jessica will teach you at least one swear word in Italian. It sounds cool and is fun to blurt it out at inappropriate times.

9) Keep Portland Weird! It’s a saying that we see on bumper stickers in this town. I also like to scream it out at random times during the day. Come to the beautiful city of Portland Oregon, see why it’s a little weird, but also why so many young and old creative and green folks are moving to the town that most magazines rate as the best, the greenest etc.

10) Because you like the little guy. BootsnAll is the last independent online travel company of substantive size that has not sold out to The Man. No one from the 90’s is around in it’s original form. Come find out why, or rediscover, what makes the BootsnAll community unique. People actually care. People like you.

11) You are a blogger or want to be one. There will be a lot of Blog and Twitter fodder for this weekend. Take fun pictures and meet new people to add to your Twitter.

12) Diversity of people. We have been doing these parties for five years now. All sort of folks love to travel independently. Come meet people you don’t normally talk to. They don’t bite and it’s fun to learn about the world through other people. Kinda like traveling!

13) You are my friend/acquaintance and you want to see what BootsnAll is up to. Maybe you met me 2 to 9 years ago. Maybe I was cool. Maybe I was a wanker. Either way, we made it this far and have made a lot of friends over the years. Come hang with me and let me buy you a few beers. Let’s reconnect. Seriously. sean at BootsnAll dot com to get it started.