THE JOY OF THE PLANE RIDES... THE SLEEPER...THE SMELLER AND THE KICKER

Flying all over the globe gives perspective.  On lots of things, personal space, personal hygiene and patience.  

On long flights overseas it’s not uncommon for people to invade your personal space.  If not prepared with a pillow or even a rolled up blanket or sweater the head tends to loll from side to side as sleep overcomes.   That heavy head, cannot find a comfortable spot as the body tries to drift off.   All the rolling from side to side is fun to watch.  It's not so fun when you are the victim of the lolling head.  On a trip back from Germany I was stuck in the five seats in the middle of economy section of the plane.  Granted I had the aisle, but the guy next to me had the bobbling head syndrome.   Next thing I knew his chicken parmesan breath was on my neck and his bowling ball head was pressed to my shoulder.  Snoring and drooling he had to go!  I tried to gently push him back to his seat.   He would slump right back to me.  Feeling more insistent I jabbed him in the side with my finger and then as a last resort my pen.  He snorted awake quickly glancing at me.  With wide eyed innocence I would meet his gaze and proceed to get comfortable again trying to watch my in-flight movie.   This apparently was sufficient time for Chicken boy to cuddle up again.   After several attempts, I finally gave up.  Hoping he didn’t have head lice or the pox I just left him be.  I have never counted the minutes to getting to US soil so much as I did that night.

Personal hygiene becomes very apparent on an airplane.  Especially smells.   Airplanes re-circulate their air.  Air quality on a plane is fine most of the time it goes through several filters and comes back out.  The bad thing is any smell stuck on the plane when you start is generally stuck with you the whole flight.  Take for instance my recent flight to Salt Lake City.   I was seated on the plane next to a man that already needed a shower, a lot less alcohol and a breath mint, when suddenly I see three rows of people in front of me plugging their nose.  I chuckled, but then the stench hit me.  A green nuclear gas that burned my eyes.  It made me raise my hand to my nose with a suddenness I didn’t know I had in me.  It passed. Mentally I thanked whatever God had made that possible, I went back to what I was doing.  Fifteen minutes later, my nostrils flared and my eyes watered.  I looked up and the two guys in front of me were holding their noses and mouths, good grief, we have to endure this for two and half hours?  We sure did.  My alcoholic neighbor he didn’t seem to be bothered by the stench.  I suddenly wondered if maybe he was the cause of it.  

 Which brings me to one of my last issues on long plane rides patience or the lack of it.  Children require a lot of patience.  Don't get me wrong I love children.  All kinds of children.  What I don’t love is bored children.  A bored child is a child looking to get into trouble.  On a trip to Arizona I had two young boys ages that ranged from four to six  behind me with their slightly frazzled mother.  They were not going to sleep as their mother had hoped.  Child number one seated behind me did not want to look out the window and watch the landscape go by, nor did he want to read a book.  He wanted to kick my seat.  He would kick, I would slap the back of my seat, his mom would bark at him and he would stop.  Silence would ensue.  Kick, slap, bark, stop.  The cycle went on.  Towards the end of the flight I was paying less attention to where I was slapping and he was caring less about getting caught kicking.  I accidentally tapped the child on the head; not hard thankfully, but enough that he stopped.  I was taken aback, I really did not mean to pop him on the head.  Immediately turning to apologize to his mother, but before I could open my mouth, she had apologized to me, “I’m so sorry." I looked at her puzzled.  I don’t think she knew I had just smacked her son on the head.  I shrugged it's ok and turned around to see if anyone else had seen our little circus.  All was well.    

Flights are trying on the nerves as they are.  It pays to take a shower, bring some patience and set your personal boundaries early on! 

HOME SICK FOR FOLLY BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA

I'm a water baby.  I like a jump through a mud puddle, a walk in the rain, a long swim in a lake, but I love the ocean.  I have never been too particular about which ocean.  Pacific, Atlantic or Indian... none of that ever mattered until I planted my beach chair at Folly Beach.  A small beach town of roughly 2600 people.  It sits at the southern end of Charleston.  To get to Folly you have to drive hwy 171 or Folly Beach road.  There's a draw bridge that you cross.  For the first few miles the marshes flow out to either side of the road as the city starts to disappear.  Usually this is where I get my first sniff of the salt air and my stress starts to leave me.

  
I love the sand.  Gritty and warm against my feet during the day, cool and soothing as I walk through the dampness at night. There's an old distinguished pier that reminds you of that older male relative that took you fishing when you were a child, steady, calm and patient.  Crashing of the waves against the pier, sooths my soul, watching the water race back into itself only to reach back toward me almost as gleeful as I feel.  The smell of the salt air, briny and heavy assaulting my lungs and healing my sorrows.

This beach is home.  It calls to me the way no other really has.  It is peaceful in the spring, rough and wild in the fall & winter and in the summer it is hot, salty and packed with people enjoying it as much as I do.  The State Park area is well maintained and most everything is within walking distance.  Wal-mart and a grocery store are both a short drive back up the main road. Dining wise Folly has a surprising mix of local hangouts and slightly more upscale, but let's be honest this is beach living, it's not 5 star and it's not uppity.  Probably another reason I love it.  You can get at good steak and catch a nice breeze as you sit sipping a drink at Locklear's Beach City Grill.

I highly recommend Folly as a weekend getaway or even a weeklong stay during the season or not.  There's a few hotels in Folly Beach including the Holiday Inn.  It sits right on the beach.  All the rooms face the ocean!  Rooms range from $100-225 a night for 1-2 people depending on the time of the year. The Season is April to September.  The best way to experience Folly is to rent a house or condo on the beach.  This beautiful house was $1500/wk during the off season, 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.

What a fun time to be right on the shore, cook, watch tv, play games, sunbath and go to sleep hearing the waves crashing. Folly truly has the edge of the world feel.  That small bit of sand and it's just you, your family and friends of your choosing.

If I have a few days to myself, this is where I want to take my chair, a good book, an umbrella and camp when I have the choice.

This last pic is of my late grandmother.  She'd never seen the Atlantic Ocean.  Thinking of Folly makes me miss her too.

PACKING... ESSENTIALS... THE ELUSIVE 1 QUART BAG

I am a light packer when it comes to traveling.   Occasionally I may over pack on a vacation trip, but when I travel for business I pack as light as possible.  I HATE absolutely HATE having to check luggage.  That's a whole different blog post!  Generally my clothes and shoes are all laid out within a matter of minutes, what I struggle with is what will I put in that elusive 1 quart bag that the TSA will screen like it's a living child.   Plus let's be honest I need to at least attempt to still look presentable while I travel, so what do I consider essential when I go. 

Let's cover a minimalists version of what should go in that little bag.  Keep in mind that everything liquid has to be 3 oz or less or TSA will throw IT OUT!  Few things are more annoying than watching your favorite gel or lotion go in the garbage.  I've had an entire bottle of gel thrown out that I had just bought! Similar to watching dollar bills going in the garbage don't you think?

So here for your perusal is Purple Shoes' Essential list: 

1. Conditioner - most hotels have shampoo, or shampoo and conditioner in one.  I always bring my favorite conditioner so at least my hair is moisturized

2. Lotion -  the nice hotels will have some, but the more off hotels will not.  Skin gets dry while traveling, trust me it's a necessity.  I like Nivea Creme in the little tin can or AMIR essential extracts. Moisture without the oily feeling. Sometimes I take two bottles!

3. A purchase of TSA approved bottles. These are available at just about any Wal-mart, Target and pharmacies.  I have plastic one's I can write on with a marker and that have colored caps.   Fill one with your favorite cleanser and one with your favorite moisturizer.  Your face is very sensitive to change.  When you are traveling is not the time to change your cleansers you are stressed enough.

4. Toothbrush - I like the electronic travel one available in multicolor and comes with an additional head from www.ulta.com. It comes with a cap as well to keep that nasty bacteria out.  If you don't use an electronic tooth brush purchase a cap or carrier for your toothbrush.  Nothing nastier than some gel on your toothbrush that shouldn't be there!

5. Toothpaste - so many kinds in the travel section pick your favorite.

6. A washcloth in a plastic baggie. In Europe and often times in Mexico there won't be on in your room.  Don't ask. I have yet to figure out why!

Makeup as long as it's powder doesn't have to go in the baggie, it can go in a compartment in your bag.  At least I haven't had a problem with this any time.  TSA may have something else to say.   My foundation is even powder or cream to powder so I don't have to deal with this!  I will often take a little bottle of hair spray that goes in the baggie and A LOT of hair ties.  Scrunchies and bobby pins are your friends ladies while you travel.  For men... look for the small bottles of hair gel in the sample areas of the store or use one of your approved TSA bottles.   I almost always stuff away a chap stick.  This will help with cracked skin and your lips.  I also always take perfume.  I feel naked without it, which is a bad feeling when you are traveling!! Especially considering where all I go.

What are some of your favorite "essentials"!???

BUT IT'S A DRY HEAT... Phoenix Arizona fun in the sun

When you think of Phoenix you probably think of the sun, snowbirds, maybe the Diamondbacks baseball team?  Do you think of a vacation spot with lots of fun things to do?   It's one of my favorite places to go.  Party because my allergies don't act up and partially because one of my best friends lives there. 

A ticket to Phoenix is usually inexpensive if you can pick when you want to go.   It's a major stopping point for United, Southwest and American.   I caught a non-stop flight on Southwest for less than $250  round trip.  I like to use their website.  www.southwest.com  They have some good web only and last minute fares.  I do recommend paying the early bird check in for $25.  That way you get the seat you want.

Started out my long weekend with crepes at this awesome local place.  Cups N' Crepes.  It's a long wait for a seat, but well worth it.  I had a BLTA (avacado mmmm) savory crepe.   We sat and drank our coffee and tea and decided to have a lingonberry & creme cheese crepe for dessert.  I've never had a lingonberry, but I tell you... I'll have one again if it comes dressed in a crepe like that!  They had smooth soothing coffee as well.  Here's their link.  I recommend perusing their menu before you go there's too much yummy stuff to make up your mind. Here are some photos to do the food more justice from the owner.  Thanks so much Terrie!   I can't wait for my next visit to your business!   Cups N' Crepes


That evening we headed to the local Mesa Theatre playhouse and saw She Stoops to Conquer.  Delightful, funny and we almost had a chicken leg thrown at our faces from one of the actors who's character was continually eating. 

A couple nights later we enjoyed the Glendale Jobing.com Arena with Bon Jovi.  Jon definitely still has it.  Both our arms ached from "Raising our hands"!  We have been trying to get into the Yard House a second time but to no avail.  This year we came 3 hrs early and still couldn't get in for a table, two hour wait!  Maybe next year we'll go.  We decided to forgo food and get a beer.

Hell's Half Acre looked a little daunting but with no line and several places to sit we entered at our own risk.  The music was all 80's hair bands including several Bon Jovi tunes.  Our waitresses were scantily clad.  We decided if you got it, flaunt it.   The actual concert of course was the shining event of the evening.  We were tired but wired from it on our way out.

Every day while I'm there we start our morning with a cup of coffee from the It's a Grind Coffee House. http://www.itsagrind.com/ The coffee here is fabulous, not bitter, not overly milky, they always ask before they put whip on it and it's fresh ground to order. I love it.  It might also be the outside seating they have and that they never kick us out no matter if we sit there for 2-3 hours or not.

The last place we went to was TQLA.  A tex-mex place that served, as you may have guessed, tequila of all kinds.   They had a flight of different margaritas that I really wanted to try, but I had a plane to catch.  I did have two blood orange margaritas and the steak nachos that were to delicious.  Sitting out in the sun I really could have basked in the heat, the food and the yummy alcohol, but someone said blueberry cheesecake.  Homemade.  I'm game.  Somehow we went from we'll split it to I'll have my own thanks!

All in all a very satisfying trip as always.  Dry heat or not, Arizona is one of my favorite places to visit.

Prague: Czechoslovakia the Paris of Eastern Europe

Prague the Paris of Eastern Europe.  At least that is what everyone told me when I said I was going to Prague.  You have to spend the weekend there.  I had the choice between Prague and Milan.  I chose Prague.  I want to do more of Italy than just Milan.  What a choice though right? Czechoslovakia is one of the few countries not on using the Euro, they use the Czech crown.  If I hadn’t have checked before I left I wouldn’t have known.  Also no visa is required.  Although I did tell my travel companion the day before that he needed one.  He almost had a heart attack.  I think he's still mad at me.

One of the few cities not hit as hard by the World Wars leaving the majority of their structures, statues and buildings still intact.  Cobblestone streets busy with small sleek European cars.  The Vltava River flowing majestically through the city reflecting the afternoon sun back to the passerby.  The famous bridges, stunning market squares, and bustling side streets all lending to the mystique of Prague.  

 

Most notably in the old town square is a medieval astronomical clock.  It is the third oldest clock of its kind in the world.   See the link for the hourly ceremony.  It’s beautiful and fun to watch.  The entire square comes to a halt and all eyes go up.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk9lwsenZOo.

Beer is plentiful and cheap in Prague.  It’s actually cheaper than water.  Every restaurant we went to there were flights of beer samples for sale.  Venison was a popular dish served at a majority of the restaurants that we went to for dinner.  My favorite dish was made of venison in cranberry gravy with dumplings and for dessert blueberry dumplings with fresh cream.  It was to die for.  They do not skimp on the serving size.  It was a good thing we had several blocks to walk back to our hotel.   Oddly we were seated family style at the next open seats next to thankfully an couple American college students.   One of my favorite nights sharing traveling experiences at this local place in downtown Prague.

Pictures to come if I can ever figure out how to download my camera!  Prague is definitely a must see.

Bucket List of Traveling...

My "Bucket" list of places I want to see before I kick the tin pail...

Below is the list of places I want to see still.  Considering I've been to 3 continents, 30+ countries and only the heavens remember how many cities I'm surprised I still want... but I do.  I always want more culture, more museums, more adventure... so here is my list.  Post yours.. perhaps I've missed a few?

1.  Australia... ALL OF IT!!!
2.  Egypt... Cairo, the Pyramids, the Valley of the Kings...the museums...
3. Greece... Athens... need I say more?
4. Italy...Rome, Milan, Florence, Tuscany... I may need a month here!
5. Russia... Moscow.. I want to see the cathedrals
6. Iceland... just to say I've been!
7. Scotland...I fell in love with Edinburgh Castle.  I want to stay.
8. Ireland... I need to kiss the Blarney stone!
9. Houston, the RiverWalk
10. Oklahoma City, there's a museum showing there I want to see and E promises to take me before it ends.
11. Oceanside, OR ... the three arches and search for my retirement beach house
12. Vancouver, Canada
14. Puget Sound, Washington
15. Niagara Falls ... I want to take the boat ride and walk up the stairs to the top and get soaked by the mist.
16. Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC... they have an amazing spa.
17. New York City... when I have time to take it all in and I'm not falling off a train on my way.  Not that Sean wasn't a good sport about my injury.
18. Disney world... Orlando, Florida with my nieces ... okay maybe Epcot more for me and Disney for them
19. Yosemite National Park
20. Hike the Grand Canyon again... that one may have to wait for both knees and lungs to heal
21. Belize... the clearest water... expensive as all get out
22. Bora Bora... if it was good enough for Vin Diesel it's good enough for me!
23. Paris, France... just to see the Eiffel Tower and wine with breakfast!
24. Belvidere tea room in Claremore, OK... old buildings are a beautiful thing and who can resist tea!
25. Dallas, Texas... and not just the blasted airports!!!
26. Savannah, GA ... ghost trails
27. Philadelphia, PA... I love their Museum of Art
28.  Washington, D.C.... I could be there a month as well to see all the museums, the cherry festival...
29. Spain...  Spanish Riviera
30. Brazil... need another continent under my belt!

I should start small and work to the big stuff, but I hope to knock some of these off my list.  I just hope E likes to travel as much as I do! 

Tell me what your travel bucket list is!

AIRLINE TICKETS... the DOWN LOW on CHEAP

I start this week's post for my friend Emily as she prepares for her family vacation.

Buying airline tickets brings to mind both joy and heartburn.  The joy of a new experience, a new destination and a new possibility. There's not much to it right?  Make a call or log on the web right? Easy.   It isn't rocket science by any means, however, to keep the most of your money in your wallet there's a few things you want to keep in mind.  I personally do not like to pay more than I have to that's more money for my next trip.    

Tips for the Elusive "cheap" Ticket

1. Try to buy on Tuesday evenings.  I don't know why but there's a phenomena that takes place once a week, airlines have cheaper fares! They jump significantly the next day.

2. Be flexible on your travel dates.  One day, an overnight stay or an over the weekend stay can save you significantly.

3.  Kayak.com, Priceline.com, Travelocity.com, Orbitz.com... Are not all created equal.  Each is geared toward a specific type of buyer.   Formats differe as well.  Try a few and see what you find the most user friendly.  For the most part the pricing is all with in a few dollars of each other.   I personally prefer Travelocity.   One note:  Priceline tends to be good for when you have very flexible dates not when you have specific dates.  

4.  Once you've found a price on a "travel" site.  Check the airlines websites.  Buying direct can save you between $50-$150 depending on who you are looking at.  Southwest does not generally come up on the travel sites, you have to book on their site.  www.southwest.com

5.  Pay attention to the airline.  Delta goes just about everywhere.  Southwest & Airtran tend to be more the southern states from East to West.  US Airways runs southern states and up the Eastern Seaboard.  United tended to be from Chicago west. 

6. Sign up for the free air miles, EVERYWHERE.  You never know when you might get a free ticket, upgrade, or other special treatment just for 2 minutes of your time.  It also will get you access to the airlines weekly ads that often have cut rate flights on them.  If you have time to shop this is a good way to find a good price.

7. Don't buy the travel insurance unless you absolutely have to.  I find this to be a rip off of $25 of my hard earned cash.   I would pay for this however, if I rarely flew or I was concerned I might not make the trip after purchase of my ticket.  Otherwise... most airlines will let you reuse the cost of a ticket for a change fee, usually $100-150.  Note:  I said most!!! Always Always read the fine print.  In this case always think of your risk comfort level.

8. Buy AT LEAST 14-21 days before you travel.  Anything short of that is going to cost you horribly.

9. Take into account luggage.  Silly right, except the majority of the airlines are charging between $20-35 for a piece of luggage to be checked.  Southwest is one of the few that doesn't. 

10. Take the airport departure and destination into consideration.  Bigger is NOT always better.  Smaller airports are often easier to get in and out of, they are child friendly, smaller security lines and usually closer to your destination.   You pay a little more for this but sometimes it's worth it.

Travel is all about personal choice.  Inexpensive tickets are a great way to get to see more of the world with more money in your pocket, but ultimately comfort, speed, efficiency and attention are all up to you.