Happy Labor Day

So here I am on the last holiday of summer at work. I will be the first to admit, just as I struggle to get up in the morning, I am struggling with this blog. I am not a creature of habits. Brushing my teeth 6 our of 7 nights a week is an accomplishment. I'm sorry Dr. P that after almost a year of trying, I still do not have flossing pinned down into my daily activities.

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I am struggling with a topic. Travel is exciting and I love it, but it's hard when I know I won't be going anywhere for 58 more days (Charleston, followed by Florida, followed by China). Hopefully packing my bags again will renew my love. I am also struggling with the idea that I want to do more than write about travel, I do after all need variety in my life. I like fashion, but I don't love it. I can't be bothered to cook let alone blog about it (I'm sorry Adam, but you knew what you were getting when you asked me to marry you).

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Don't ever expect to see something like that coming out of my kitchen. And this is not a wedding blog. I love weddings and events, but I don't want to live weddings forever. I am also completely sick of people asking me, "How is wedding planning going? Ohmigosh yay!" Really people, my fiance lives in China. How do you think it's going?

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So in short, I'm lost. Dazed and confused, I wander through the abyss of the blogosphere. I have no focus, no audience, nothing to write about. And frankly, it makes me kind of dizzy.

I guess this is my warning that this project is slowly drowning. I will never be like Emily (cupcakes and cashmere), Della (The Wedding Row), or even my coveted Alexis (J.Crew Aficionada). These girls have found their niche, their audience, and something that they love. I'm back to the struggle that sent me across the world: what do I love? What am I passionate about? What can I devote myself to? Right now, the answer is dangerous love stories (I'll admit it, I'm re-watching The Vampire Diaries season 1 before the new season premieres on Thursday), ruffles made of organza and tulle, and counting down the days until November 10 (66 perhaps?).

Maybe if I'm feeling better tomorrow, I'll start writing again. Because everything can be put off until tomorrow.

Cheers, Kate

Where's My Hotel?

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Can you find your hotel room? Check out this new eco-friendly tree resort in Sweden. Click here for the resort's website for more photos and booking info.  I can't wait to go with Adam!

Cheers, Kate

Queen of Cashmere Giveaway!

The Queen of Cashmere is giving away a custom travel throw for the fashionable jet-setter. I've entered to win, so should you!

Here's how to enter:

1. Become a fan on Facebook

2. Leave a comment on the contest entry "Travel Throw Giveaway!"

 and you'll be entered to win. It's so simple. Hurry though, it ends at midnight tomorrow! Thank goodness they're not giving away pumpkin carriages too!

If you love cashmere, you'll love this Illinois-based designer's pretty, preppy work. The Queen's unique monograms are not actually embroidered, but knit into the cashmere for a perfectly smooth and soft finish. Each piece is custom made for the wearer! Here's a couple pieces to tempt you:

Pasha Monogrammed Pillow



 Amanda Monogrammed Sweater

  

You can find the Queen's collection through Saks, or contact her directly for more retail options. Also, check out the Queen's fabulous blog, Day Book. Best of luck with this awesome giveaway!

Cheers, Kate

Romance Novels

Romance novels are a fantastic invention. Lately there has been a bit of chatter around CNN about why they're so popular, and why women prefer their britches and boots wearing, gun handling, broody but first to arrive on the scene to help heroes to their real-life male counterparts. Plus these pocketbook paperbacks make great travel buddies. One romance novel made it through 6 of my friends on Spring Break senior year at Elon.

Today's article is aptly about the release of the third installment of the Twilight series, Eclipse. While I won't ever be a 'Twihard,' I'll never read the books, there is something compelling and mystifying about such a strong love between this awkward teenage girl and her damned soul-mate. I'll be interested to see how this half-vampire child issue works out in the final film...

Here are the stories that have shown up lately. Any thoughts?

I Write Romance Novels...So What? CNN, 5/10/2010

A Romantic Hero Wouldn't Do That CNN, 5/31/2010

Why Women Find Vampires Hot CNN, 6/30/2010

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Most Expensive Cities

Yahoo released a list of the world's most expensive cities today. Not surprisingly, most of them are in Japan, and the rest are in Northern Europe.

Number One? Tokyo:

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Have you been to any of these?

Come Check Out the Oil on Our Beaches

CNN Money posted up a great gallery today with ill-conceived advertisements taking a hit on the oil spill disaster.  Apparently the travel industry isn't the only one trying to take advantage of the situation, like this ad for Spirit Airlines.

New York Sports Club released an ad saying "Exercise sharpens the brain. Oil execs come in asap."  You even get a week free membership to the gym if you are an executive or you are "tired of their excuses."  Bravo NYSC for donating old towels to help the clean up effort and call out execs for poor management.

The other ads listed include an airplane flier for PETA blaming the meat industry for rises in oil prices and usage, as well as a couple of cute aliens laughing at the Gulf.  The tagline: "Let's not be the joke of the universe. Make Earth proud."

Site Feature: Design*Sponge City Guides

Thank you Ross, Communications Career Counselor at Elon, for pointing out this awesome new site to me!

Design*Sponge is a great blog that happens to have a series of city guides. I took a peek at the DC guide and was thrilled to find it neatly broken up into various popular neighborhoods: Adam's Morgan, Dupont Circle, Georgetown, and Old Town Alexandria were some of the bigger ones. Now at least I have an idea of where to start when I move to Alexandria next week.

They also have a section called "Product Guides" with great lists like picnic accessories for under $100, jewelry storage for under $100, and luggage ideas. There's even a DIY section with great activities like this portable sunshade.  Definitely a cool site to check out for lots of ideas!

More Flexibility, More Fees

Yesterday American Airlines announced a new program: the Boarding and Flexibility Package. This fee, anywhere from $9-19, allows passengers several new 'options.' Read today's CNN article here: 'Latest Airline Fee? Early Boarding.'

Here are the included features:

• Be placed in a priority boarding group. You don't get on the plane before Elite status members or special needs passengers, but before everyone else.


• Half-price on flight change fees. Instead of a hefty $150 to change a flight, it's only $75 and free stand-by on earlier, same day flights.


• This applies to everyone in your 'reservation per-person charge', whatever that means.

Christopher Elliot, writer of the Elliot bog, consumer traveler advocate and affiliated writer with National Geographic, MSNBC, and The Washington Post, made a few comments about these new fees and how ridiculous they are. He compared this decision to the overwhelmingly popular 'charge for the first checked bag' fee that American Airlines also pioneered.

The biggest problem is air travel is a financially irresponsible business to be involved in. The costs of planes, equipment, fuel (astronomical thanks to BP), crew members, ground crew, maintenance crew, the list goes on, are incredibly difficult to manage in a consumer climate where we expect to pay a lot less for the same products. At least with Ryan Air in Europe you know you're going to pay for every extra thing.

The best bet for American airline companies is to go the Ryan Air route: advertise that you charge for everything. And make flight prices accordingly. So congratulations airline executives of America. You're slowly training a new generation to look for hidden fees instead of expecting everything to come included.

Crab Meat

Working in a restaurant is neither  a classy or fabulous job. But it pays the bills, and quickly. One thing we've been talking about lately is the fluctuation of the price of our bluefin crab cakes. The oil spill in the Gulf Coast has already had a negative impact on the region's fishing business, but as of yet there hasn't been too much impact on a global scale. According to the Washington Post's article, everything from clam boats to fishing tournaments and beach vacations has been upset by BP's massive failure.

My sorority's national president Marsha is down on the Gulf Coast this week traveling and has yet to find tar balls on the beach. But what other impacts will this disaster make? It's obvious that the Gulf still hasn't recovered from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and yet another disaster will inevitably negate any positive tourism that has been recovered. It should be interesting to see how things go, especially with summer just getting into swing.

10 Backpacker Stereotypes

Another blog, "My Travel Adventure," has compiled a list of 10 backpacker stereotypes. I think it's interesting so I'm reposting the list here:

10 Backpacker Stereotypes You’ll Meet on the Road

There is no doubt that having an open mind and a level of tolerance for differences in cultures is essential for any backpacker during their travels overseas.I also believe that there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ traveler, that not all backpackers from the same country necessarily bear resemblance to each other, and that where in the world an individual comes from should not affect how they are perceived and treated when traveling.

However, in the spirit of poking fun, and with a hint of political incorrectness, below is a list of the top ten backpacker region stereotypes (including my own!) that you may have encountered during your world travels…

1 – The American Backpacker

You will hear this backpacker immediately upon entering the hostel. Loud, enthusiastic and friendly, the American Backpacker either travels in large groups of young college girls or guys, or, if a little bit older, travels solo. The delightful college girl American Backpacker wears pajamas during the day and tight bright clothing at night, and is never without numerous layers of make up and hairspray, and the college boy American Backpacker has usually found their way to Central or South America on a cheap flight from Miami and are ready for a week of drinking and partying.

In contrast, the older single American Backpackers are usually travel bloggers, photographers, or hippies that are trying to find the deeper meaning in their travel experiences. All American backpackers give themselves massive kudos for being one of the 20-30% of American citizens that own passports and like to brag about anything remotely ‘foreign’ they have done on their travels. Depending on the type, great for partying the night away or discussing the meaning of life.

2 – The European Backpacker

Usually travels in pairs, stays in the private rooms, and spends much of the time speaking to only each other in their native language. The European Backpacker is ridiculously good-looking but very quiet and reserved, until copious amounts of red wine are consumed.

Usually has way more money than the rest of the hostel combined and can tell smug stories of expensive trips and activities which others could only dream of. Great for when you want to pretend you are not a grimy backpacker and go to a nice restaurant or bar for once.

3 – The Canadian Backpacker

Can spot these a mile away due to the prevalence of Canadian flags sewn on to their backpack and the ‘ey’ at the end of every sentence (“Canada, ey”).

Always friendly and impeccably polite (unless you mistake them for their louder cousin, American backpacker). Often stoned. If you hit them, they will apologize. Great for switching rooms to get away from the snorer.

4 – The Israeli Backpacker

The Israeli backpacker tends to travel in large packs after doing their time in the army. Easy to find as they will be the ones haggling at every spot. Friendly and always speak impeccable English, but are slightly scary and a little smelly. Great for when you want the best deal at the local kebab shop.

5 – The Asian Backpacker

Very rare breed of backpacker. Quiet and courteous (until they have a beer), the Asian Backpacker usually travels in small packs with large cameras and a multitude of electrical equipment in a Hello Kitty backpack. Great for when you need that s150 charger you left at home.

6 – The English Backpacker

The English Backpacker travels in a massive group with other sun tanned/burnt/fake-tan orange English Backpackers. Friendly but often spends time whinging on a hostel balcony.

Usually has enough money to find English booze and fried food thanks to the pound. Usually on a Gap Year. Always up for hostel drinking games, and able to drink nearly as much as the Australian Backpacker (and often goes home with one). Great for having a laugh at the pub.

7 – The South African Backpacker

Another rare breed. Usually men. Very arrogant and most have the crazy eyes, but they come complete with a divine accent and amazing abs. Can handle a shotgun. Great for when you need a handyman to fix the hostel bunk, someone to protect you in a dangerous part of town, or when you have a hankering for a backpacker fling.

8 – The Australian Backpacker

Friendly, adventurous and laid back, but can be annoyingly loud and is the centre of every party once drunk. Always the one that does the stupid dares.

Can be found traveling in packs, pairs or alone, but if alone will often have run into a cousin/friend/acquaintance at every stop, however remote (“Maaaaate, didn’t realise you were over here in the middle of the amazon jungle. Let's go for a drink.”).

Great for when you want to start drinking at 9am and have a skinny dip in a public fountain.

9 – The New Zealand Backpacker

Often confused with its Australian cousin; can be distinguished by their questionable fashion sense and hilarious pronunciation of the phrases “fish and chips” and “six, please”. Very friendly but usually a little reserved in large groups. Well experienced in camping and ‘tramping’ (hiking) and is at home in cold and mud and snow.

Extremely loose on the booze and has the ability to do even crazier things than the Australian Backpacker when provoked, especially if from Dunedin. Great for a laugh when ordering six beers, or for borrowing clothes when the weather is chilly.

10 – The Irish Backpacker

Not to be confused with the English Backpacker, the Irish Backpacker is usually a little older and travels in pairs or by themselves. Like a homing pigeon, this gem of a backpacker always manages to find the best deals on a pint at any time of the day and is friendly and inclusive of all other travelers.

Loses the ability to speak English after a few alcoholic beverages but good at miming their usually hilarious drinking stories. Great for a friendly face if traveling alone.

Photo credits:
Americans by greggoconnell on Flickr, Canadian by wisely on Flickr, Irish by Barnacles Hostels on Flickr, English and Drinking by Happy Little Nomad on Flickr

from: http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/09-07/10-backpacker-stereotypes-you%E2%80%99ll-meet-on-the-road.html

For the most part, this isn't too far off. I have found that German backpackers are standard, and I would have enjoyed a point about them wearing socks with flip-flops. I've also found that not everyone is as friendly as their stereotype makes you think they will be. A lot of travelers will put on a good face for a day or a week, but eventually your cultural differences (i.e. being American) will either make or break your friendship. Don't be offended, just take it with a laugh and another beer.

Sky High Wi-Fi

As I begin to set off on various modes of transportation around New Zealand, I remembered receiving email from AirTran announcing WiFi service on all flights by September 2009. Why I'm on their email list, I have no idea, but it gave me something to ruminate over. How will WiFi on airplanes change social media applications?

My immediate reaction was of annoyance. For a flight under 3 hours, the cost is $9.95, and $12.95 for flights over 3 hours. I think that public service providers should include internet in the ticket price, if they are going to offer it on the flight, and I refuse to pay for a service which should be a perk for using their airline. Like leather seats and satellite TV on JetBlue (the main reason I fly them across the country). Regardless of the cost, the availability of internet service on planes means two things. First, that cell phones actually can have reception. Second, that social media is about to take on a whole new face.

While riding the Metro in Washington, D.C. everyone learns to not use their phone. If you choose to use public transportation, then you should be courteous enough to

Phone service should never be allowed on planes. Period. First thing that happens is a pilot crashes because of texting or looking at a picture message or getting Twitter updates. Next thing is the utter annoyance of every person in the cabin because of the rude and loud conversation of one person. Neither of those things would be pleasant. Flights should be in the same category as the subway, since they are both means of public transportation. If cell phones are allowed on public flights, I will seriously consider selling my soul for a private jet.

But social media will finally have a new outlet!