Mexico is the Bestico...

....Especially when you don't have to pay for anything. I just recently returned from a destination wedding in Cancun (the groom's family is from Mexico). I know. My initial reaction was: "why would my friend want to get married with with fraternity brothers, high school students, and spring-breakers (oh my!)," Oh the relief in being mistaken. About 25 minutessouth of Cancun is the much more toned down city of Puerto Morelos. WHile built up to some degree, my friend was able to find the unbelievable, the gorgeous, the private: Playa de Secreto (duh, I think that means "Secret Beach" in Spanish). While I wouldn't characterize this as a destination for budget travelers, it is a wonderful place to stay if you have the extra money to spend or want a really nice setting for a wedding. However, you can get some pretty decent rates in the off-season, and everything is amazingly maintained.

Views are AMAZING:

Food delicious:

(Fry Piggies FRY!)

Music great:

The Bride & Groom were even happy:

Cape Cod & the Spirit of Mahi Gold

Growing up, my parents, sister, brother and myself would always spend at least one week every summer down the Cape. We were [and still are] fortunate enough to have grandparents that own 3 cottages within a quarter mile of each other in Dennisport. Steps from the beach, a short walk down Oak Street put us within view of what felt like our own, private ocean.

I remember the 1,000 feet of sand that connected two extensive jetties. I can clearly recall how I felt when I climbed up the semi-steep incline of rock that acted as a third wall surrounding our personal paradise. But most of all, when I picture this figurative peninsula, I remember the old, blue sailboat that had remained anchored just a few feet off of the eastern most jetty. Every summer, without fail, the symbolic dinghy would be lazily floating in the water, bouncing amidst the frequently choppy waves.

Summer spots tend to signify relaxation, renewed spirit, rejuvenation, and precious times with friends and family. Aside from myself, I know that this holds true for at least two other friends of mine. Becky & Mike Gorman were motivated to create a clothing line reflective of the summers they spent down the Cape in Chatham called Mahi Gold. While the inspiration came from Cape Cod summers, the clothing line embodies time spent in any memorable beach town. From the Cape to Nantucket to the Vineyard, the Jersey Shore, the Carolinas and beyond, Mahi Gold represents family, friends, beautiful weather, a beach nearby & a boat on the water.



Mahi Gold for men currently includes an offering of tees, sweatshirts, polos, and accessories. Conversely, Mahi Gold for women currently boasts a variety of tees and sundresses. The line is still expanding & new stores & events are being added gradually, so if you like what you see, then be sure to check the site regularly for updated inventory.

NYC Through an "Adult's" Eyes

I did it, I G.D. did it! I visited NYC this past weekend and managed to not get completely and utterly...okay, stop that thought. Full stop. I managed to do a good job of balancing nightlife and sightseeing. The secret to my success? I convinced my fellow troopin' traveler, Kristen (you'll know her as the ever elusive Skiddies), to pony up and get a hotel room for one of the nights that we were in town. After a couple of weak attempts at searching for a hotel through Kayak.com and Hotels.com, we ended up with the cheapest, non-hostel, midtown Manhattan hotel we could find: The Hotel Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, I left the task of actually making a decision up to Skiddies, and she neglected traveling rule #22: look at the online review before booking a hotel. With the hotel already booked, we immediately noticed the rating was a measly 1.7 out of 6.Boo, Skiddies, Boo. And of course, the room could not be cancelled. Rule #36, be aware of online cancellation policies before you book, not all sites have a 24 hour policy. Well, it was only going to be one night, and there wasn't any mention of rats in the reviews, so we decided to just go cheap, and TROOP-UP!

I will officially report that my faith in online reviews has been shaken. The Hotel Pennsylvania wasn't nearly as big of a dump as the reviews claimed. It was totally acceptable for anyone who needs a place to crash. Central location right across from Madison Square Garden, felt safe, flexible check in (we dumped our bags off before 1pm), and friendly enough staff (they checked us in). Lesson learned: take some time to critique online hotel reviews. Read between the lines.

Beyond the hotel, we hit up some great tourist destinations. The top of the Empire State Building:

Yay! View! Burr! Cold!

Skiddies Lives!

Afterwards we walked and walked all the way down to visit the hipsters on St. Mark's St in the East Village. Checking out the farmers market in Union Square on the way. Got some Urban Outfitter style clothing for Kmart prices on Broadway (stay South of Houston) - Amsterdam Clothing Store on Broadway was addictive - 10% off when you spend over $100 - oops/wahoo!

I really feels like you can walk anywhere in this town. It allows you to earn all those beers and late night mac 'n cheese - might have been the booze, but P.J. Clarke's is open until 4am, and theirs is MAC-tastic.

Seattle: Shooting Up with a Space Needle!

I typically reserve Fridays for preaching about social responsibility & global non profit organizations, but I have a tiny surprise that I want to share with you today instead. Though my post title might suggest dirty habits, I promise that the Space Needle photos you're about to indulge in will pacify your fears about my [lack of] substance abuse.

My pal, Ben from Seattle, was kind enough to give me access to pieces of his artistic genius. If you like what you see, then stay tuned! I will be adding a link to Ben's Flickr page once he updates his account.

Enjoy!

Discovery Park, Discover Seattle

A couple of years ago, I went to visit my good friends, Bacon & Joe. Now residing in the Grunge Movement capital of the world, they call Seattle home.

It's true - initially, my desire to head to the Pacific Northwest was fueled by my early 90s obsession with the lead singer of Nirvana. If we could only visit one landmark, then it was going to be Kurt Cobain's pad. Bacon & Joe did grant my wish, but also enthusiastically showed me that there was much more depth to this city, a place dedicated to music, culture, and the performing arts.

On my last day in Seattle, we hiked around Discovery Park taking advantage of its many walking trails. Located in the Magnolia neighborhood, Discovery Park was created in the 1970s and is arguably the best place in the city to see some of Seattle's wildlife. From the park's south meadow, you can catch an awe-inspiring view of Puget Sound. The park's South Beach (not to be confused with Miami's famous plage) is certainly worth a visit as well, just be prepared for the hike back to the parking lot.

My one regret about this last minute adventure: my shoes. We sort of decided to venture through the park on a whim. The skies had just cleared, a rare feat for Seattle in mid-March. Unfortunately, my feet were enclosed by uncomfortable high-heeled black boots.. You be the judge.

Feast your eyes on these.





And lastly, a random view of the Olympic Peninsula.. too pretty to keep out of this post.


**Photos courtesy of Bacon - thanks, Cath!**

Running a Marathon + Sightseeing = Not a Vacation

Don't try to fool yourself. I did. It is extremely difficult to take a weekend trip where the main focus is work or some other commitment (whether it is athletic or family), and turn it into a sightseeing vacation.

Last fall I headed down to Washington, D.C for Halloween weekend to run in the Marine Corp Marathon. I had gone through months and months of training. I was ready to go. And, looking at the course map (and considering my "amazing" level of fitness), I was ready to take this 26.2 mile run whilst enjoying some of the major monuments in the D.C. area: the Pentagon, the Watergate, the Lincoln Memorial, the Capital, the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian museums, the Jefferson Memorial, and actually crossing the finish line at the Iwo Jima Memorial. Silly, naive Molly. While it was surreal running past all of these national monuments, I was way more focused on trying to make my legs move another step and not passing out by the side of the road.

(The Iwo Jima monument never looked so good with thousands of sweaty runners, and orange security fencing).

While it wasn't totally unexpected that I didn't fully enjoy my marathon sightseeing experience, I thought for sure I would be ready to go the following day before my friend and I had to get our flight back home. As I hobbled around the Reflecting Pool, past the Vietnam Memorial, and then through the Aerospace Museum (I touched a moon rock - I'm basically an astronaut now), I knew that my D.C. vacation experience just wasn't meant to be. While it was a beautiful day, and the monuments were impressive, I was so exhausted from the race the previous day, I really couldn't enjoy half of what I was seeing.

I have made a bunch of similar attempts while on work trips, and have run into very similar issues. I always seem too busy with work commitments and obligations, that the sites I do see seem tainted, and while not completely ruined, at the very least seem less charming or enjoyable.

Yes, it may seem that I am advocating not even bothering to try to turn this type of trip into a "leisure" vacation (ewww, I don't like calling it that), I'm don't mean that exactly. It is more meant to be a cautionary message: don't raise expectations when going on trips where you have larger obligations (such as work - the most cursed obligation of them all).  I feel that even when you are squeezing some fun into the trip, those obligations will generally act as a cloud over most of what you do...I'm still hoping to prove myself wrong on this point.

Chillin' in Seattle and Freezin' at Mount St. Helens

Mi hermano (my brother, for those of you who don't watch "Arrested Development" or speak Spanish), Kris, moved to Seattle, WA for three months for work, and being the mooch of a sister that I am, decided that my friend Meriel and I should go out to visit him for a long weekend. Ahhh shucks, I'm not really that selfish, from that moment in Jr. High that I first heard Pearl Jam, I knew I would, nay, must visit the mecca of Indie music known as 'Seattle'.

While we saw some AMAZING live music at a seemingly endless number of clubs - I've legit never been so impressed by the vibe of a live music scene - and saw some really cool landmarks:

Pike Place Market

The Space Needle. Which is accessible via a monorail...the concept of which still boggles my mind. What's the f-ing point of a MONOrail that isn't in a loop. I just don't get it, I don't...also was the only sunny day of the entire trip!!

Not to mention Easy Street Records in the Queen Anne neighborhood for a little Pearl Jam worship and alterna music worship. Okay, this might not be a true landmark, but dude-ski it is where the band played a live concert, and they sell all sorts of rare singles and records.

It actually turns out that one of the most enjoyable (and at the same time disappointing) moments of the entire trip was when we decided to hop in the fire red Pontiac Grand Prix (rental car - woot woot), and take a road trip to Mount St. Helens about 96 miles outside of Seattle. Going to see a volcano, fun times, right? Well...I think I may have forgotten to mention that it was November...

We start out the morning, hit our first Starbucks of the day, and start busting down the highway listening to Johnny Cash and Black Star. It actually really isn't a bad drive (not overly scenic though) if there isn't bad traffic, and you've got some good, sleep deprived conversation. The weather was overcast as it had been all weekend, but nothing too messy as we took the exit off the highway. However, as we got closer to the Mountain and higher in elevation, the snow started to come. While snow would normally excite me - if i were heading to a mountain with chairlifts and groomed pow-pow - we were going to see an active volcano, and I WANTED to see that gosh dern volcano. Going 15 mph for the last 5 miles due to treacherous roads, I think we all kind of realized there would be no volcano peeping that afternoon, and we were right.

Complete white-out at the base of the Mountain only allowed us to see about 20 ft out of the observatory. Even with this disappointment, I still feel like the trip was a success.

Main accomplishments:

1. The observatory (even without the view) at Mount St. Helens does a great job of telling the story of the eruption that occurred in 1980, and paying tribute to those who perished.

2. Had some great bonding time with mi hermano and my friend.

Minor accomplishments:

1. I hit mi hermano with a snowball at the base of a volcano
2. I got the most delicious Taco Bell at the end of the day.

One Bank(sy) in NYC You'll Want to Know About

I'm going to be completely honest with you: for me, New York City has always been a toss-up. I'm usually not intimidated by large cities (at least for a visit), but something about NYC can seem overwhelming, dirty, congested, harsh...have I used enough cliche adjectives for you? In all my most recent trips to the Big Apple I guess when it comes down to it, I have spent the majority of my time in a bar or club, on a couch trying to "get over" that bar or club. Hangovers don't really lend themselves to wanting to hike around the city trying to find knock-off Rolex watches.

Truth be told, I did go to NYC a couple of times where site-seeing was the main goal. However, both times were before the age of 13 years old, and I think I may have been more concerned with getting a pressed penny at the top of the Empire State Building, rather than actually taking in the view (I do remember the Russian Tea Room was fun...but the memories are hazy).

This past weekend I had every intention to mature my appreciation for the "City". While I cannot confirm that my appreciation was totally matured, I can most wholeheartedly say that I have expanded my respect for the city that never sleeps - after all - getting drunk at a dive bar in one city is surprisingly similar to getting drunk at a dive bar in another city (okay - the bars do stay open longer, which is actually part of the problem).

So, after a very long Friday night, and a pretty long Saturday night, I found myself doing my standard Sunday afternoon stop on Canal Street to purchase approximately 20 "pashminas" for $10 (seriously it was 3 for $10, and while it is a tourist trap, you can find knock off everything), I was re-introduced to one of the wide range (as I am continually told) of things that makes NYC worth at least a weekend visit. Beyond the art in the MANY art museums around the city, graffiti and murals have been expanded into a true art form, that I think you can truly only see in big cities like NYC and London.* Currently, in SoHo & Chinatown, there are some great murals by a British graffiti artist named Banksy. Many of his pieces have a decidedly political feel while still remaining 'light-hearted'. I absolutely couldn't stop laughing at one of his murals that I came across while walking down Broadway - see, a global financial crisis can be funny:

Any time you travel keep an eye out for any piece of local culture that you can't see in a museum, they are always the things you will remember the most. I would also recommend that you check out the coffee table book called "Banksy", it is a great compilation showing some of the artist's other works (mainly pictures taken in London) - H-h-h-h-ilarious.

*Not a dig at you smaller cities! It just seems like NYC has given more opportunities to artists.

What Happpened in Vegas is all over Facebook!

I was the second of my 10 g-friends to arrive in Sin City this past Friday and enthusiastically greeted at baggage claim by a Devan – vodka tonic in hand. We grabbed my suitcase and headed for the curb.

The first cab line we came to was completely vacant – which we were beyond psyched about because the airport was a zoo. Unfortunately we were informed that it was a handicap only line and we had to follow the masses to the other end where hundreds (I kid you not) of people were standing around looking buzzed/pissed.

We decided right then that the theme of the weekend was going to be “VIP - no lines” and headed back inside in an attempt to cut (because it’s always a good idea to try to aggravate already irate strangers). Devan got tired of dragging her bag and we took up one of the skycap’s offers to help. BEST move ever because he paraded us right back to the handicap area and quickly tucked us into the first cab for only a $10 tip.

Checking into THEhotel was a smooth transaction, despite the fact that Expedia had incorrectly put my room in the regular part of Mandalay Bay. It only took an additional $90 (on top of the $1000 already paid) to get a room 3 doors down from the other.

The rest of the ladies slowly trickled in while we pre-gamed with a bottle of vodka and mixers (bought at a liquor store outside the hotel for way less than the little bottles you could get inside), and by midnight we were actually ready to go out. We headed to the Palms and up to the Fantasy Tower (Moon and Playboy Club). That’s pretty much where my memory ends.

The next morning I dragged a few of the ladies out of bed at 9am to head down to Moorea Beach Club (the 21+, tops optional pool at Mandalay). Not deterred by the $10 cover, 60 degree weather, or fact that we were the ONLY group at the pool, we actually managed to strip down to our b-suit bottoms and get a few hours of color. The $12 pina coladas were a huge help in tolerating the cold.

Later a group of us headed to the Bellagio to see the early showing of “O” (for which we were lucky to get tickets 3 months in advance). I’d been to 4 other Cirque du Soleil shows so I thought I had a good idea of what to expect but I was still blown away. It’s a combination of synchronized swimming, high diving, circus (contortionists, clowns, acrobats), and opera on acid.. and I would pay $168 to see it again in a heartbeat.

After the show we decided to hang around the Bellagio for a bit and grab sushi at Yellowtail (6 people + no reservation = 10 minute wait) and see the seasonal flower exhibit (very cool). We were on our way out, but got sidetracked by promoters offering to have us cut the line and skip the cover at The Bank (club with entrance up escalator from the casino - used to be Light). Since this matched the VIP theme we decided to try it.

The music was fun, the lingerie-clad go-go dancers and free shots they carried were great, but we were kind of stuck in a corner so we decided to bounce - although not before watching some girls get dragged out of a bathroom stall by security for doing drugs (very COPS).

We jumped in line for a cab and a girl fight broke out right behind us. Security wasn’t too concerned about the hair-pulling and name-calling, but then one girl ended up on the hood of a cab and they stepped in. We eventually made it to the Palms and headed in to Rain (not having to pay a cover because we’d received free vouchers the night before). I was pleasantly surprised to find out Paul Oakenfold was the guest DJ for the evening. The vibe in Rain was much like Ibiza (with crazy performance artists – kind of like in Cirque du Soleil). It was only enhanced by the fact that some random Canadian guys invited us to hang at their table and drink for free all night.

Towards the end of the evening Devan and I hopped into a stretch limo (found in the cab line) with two strangers and headed to another club to meet up with one of her guy friends. At 4am the bouncers didn’t want to let us in (since the club was closed and they were kicking everyone else out), but they did after her friend paid them $200. For that money we got about 15 minutes of club time then headed back to our rooms to sleep.

Sunday morning was a little rougher for me than the day before, but I was enticed out of bed to hit up the buffet (and endless champagne) brunch for $25 each. We made it back to Moorea – where there were actually a few other people – for a few hours. At this point I decided it would be a great idea to get a tattoo (under the influence of 4 glasses of champagne, pina coladas, bud light and a shot of tuaca – from a rando guy at the pool).

Conveniently I didn’t even have to leave the hotel to get said tattoo. We went to Starlight Tattoo (just off the casino – like everything else) and I was able to get an appointment in an hour. I didn’t care that I was charged the $150 minimum for a tiny tatt on my foot. I was going to commemorate the trip in ink. I was allowed to bring one friend into the room with me – and everyone else in the lobby watched through the glass wall.

Post tatt, we all started getting ready for dinner at China Grill in Mandalay. Dinner was AMAZING (family style dishes, delicious food, great décor and staff). We did a little gambling (black jack) and stumbled into a club in the middle of the casino when some rando guy insisted on buying us a bottle of grey goose (no arguments). Then we found ourselves in Forty Deuce (club with burlesque dancers and live music). The go-go dancers were very tolerant of us when we decided WE should be onstage dancing instead of/next to them. More free bottles of booze ensued (I consider it our tip) and then I went to sleep.

Monday was rough.. but the hangover was well worth all the good times, crazy pictures, and silly tatt that resulted.

South Bend to Boston: The Long Way Home

After a sleepless night in our cold RV, it was time to head to the field of the Fighting Irish. We picked up a few extra travel companions during the night.. I think because of the need for body heat. In any case, one of our guests did something we had forbidden before the trip in our tiny RV bathroom. To this day, the culprit will not come forward so we've accrued a plethora of twisted toilet theories. None of which I need to mention here - I do need to maintain some sort of integrity.

Pregaming, a big BC win, and many hours later, game day had come and gone. I don't need to get into specifics. After all, this is a travel blog not a tailgating blog. Although I do enjoy the latter activity almost as much as the former.

Fast-forward to 1 hour into the trip home. It's dark. Everyone's tired. Most people are hung-over as hell. The anticipation and excitement of the trip has lost its charm. We all secretly wish we had the ability to teleport. No one wants to steer this large vehicle anymore. Lucky me had never signed up for that task. My poor eye-sight and questionable driving skills quickly erased me from the driving line-up. We've spent enough quality time with each other for the rest of senior year. Is graduation tomorrow? Just kidding. I never once wished for that.. and in hindsight, really wish that Cher had found a way to turn back time.

We spent the night in Gates Mills again. Is this Groundhog Day? Why am I now Jekyll instead of Hyde? Do I really like the idea of this road trip? Do I even like to travel? Who signed my permission slip? After feeling like a caged animal for what seemed like years.. and just when we thought things couldn't get any worse.. CRASH.

Were we on the highway?

No.

Did we tango with a wild animal?

No.

Did we pull out of a gas station and hit a cement block?

YES!

Was the driver at the time on the driving insurance contract thingy?

NO!

Was the driver me?

NO.

That's all beside the point. We did arrive back in Boston in one piece. We got some sleep, loved each other again, used a real bathroom.. and the fact of that matter is: if I could do it all over again, would I?

Without a doubt.. one of the best trips of my life.

Oh, and I didn't really feel any of the negative emotions listed above - I love my friends dearly and only wish that Bacon would have been there to partake in the festivities.

Leaf Peeping & Campaigning for an Obama/Palin Ticket?

Nothing says fall in New England more than going "leaf peeping" and canvassing for a Democratic candidate in New Hampshire. This past weekend I was actually fortunate enough to do both at the same time.

Growing up in Massachusetts I have always had a spoon-fed appreciation for the Fall, and all of its glorious foliage. I guess when you are younger you tend to totally disregard pleasant scenes in nature, and focus more on how much candy you are going to be getting this Halloween or how much it sucks to be back in school. Ahh youth. Foliage in New Hampshire is as beautiful as any cliche you've seen in pictures or movies. I swear we could practically smell the apple cider and pumpkin pies as we drove through the towns surrounding Exeter, NH (due to a slight navigation misstep).

Hmmmm...so how would one ruin something so seemingly perfect? Answer: go to a conservative community and canvas for a democratic candidate along a busy rural route (re: tons of motorcycles, honking, and trucks). We ran into the avoiders (sent their children to say they were "busy"), the aggros ("I'm voting for John "F-ing" McCain"), and the unexplainable ("I wish Palin would switch sides and run as Obama's VP" - wa wa what!?).

Yes, it may sound like I am bitching a bit, but canvassing is definitely something I would recommend every adult does at least once (begrudgingly: no matter your political leanings). Get involved and stop complaining about the state of our country.

On the flip-side, if you should ever decide to go to New Hampshire for the "peeping", make sure you go during the right time of year for the area of the state that you are going to be visiting. This is typically early to mid-October in New England. Get you booties out there.

D-R-I-V-in' the USA: Boston to South Bend

And the Holy War began on September 15, 1975. Since then, Boston College & Notre Dame have competed in 17 football games to battle for bragging rights and victory of the Vatican Bowl. Between 1992-2004, this momentous occasion became a highly anticipated annual event - and not just for the players and coaches.. but for all Screaming Eagle & Fighting Irish fans, old & young alike. Although we Super Fans have helped the boys in maroon & gold to victoriously take the last 5 games, the Irish are still holding onto the series by a thread.

As part of this customary tradition, when the kickoff is slated to occur in South Bend, Boston College's [primarily] junior and senior students make the trek out to the Midwest. There's no better way to celebrate than by cramming between 6 - 10 of your closest friends in a spacious RV.. To pioneer our escapade from Boston to South Bend in October of 2002, we used Cruise America out of Middleboro, MA.

If you can recall, in my post about our vacation quarters in Lagos, I was very impressed by the size of & space in the unit. Um, this was kind of like that.. if instead of college females in their last year before entering 'the real world', we were actually baby ants.

Get car sick? Be sure to bring this to the attention of your traveling companions well before mile 1, and not abruptly before your already inexperienced driver of monstrous vehicles tries to pull out onto the first major highway of the trip. Thank goodness that Massachusetts is renowned for its lack of road rage and inviting driving circumstances.

In any case, we got off without a hitch.. for the most part. Adrenaline flowing through our otherwise alcohol-energized bodies [remember, we were seniors in college], the 9 of us were having a blast. With a surplus of food & beverage options, car games, stories, coloring supplies [like I said, remember: we're seniors in college] & trinkets to carry us across the Mass Pike, into New York State, and through the eerie & Amish Pennsylvania countryside, we were just living life on the road. The way truckers do. Except without cigarettes, beards, or flannel.

Once we reached Ohio, we decided to head to roommate Mary's house in Gates Mills. It was dark, late and we all wanted to use a real bathroom*. Enter problem 1: As we turn off the exit, we had noticed a different feel to the way our motor home was riding.. lo' and behold - flat tire. Now, being the good-natured Midwestern folks that they are, Mary's parents came out to help us.. here's a glimpse into their conversation upon reaching our troubled vehicle:

[Imagine this exchange in a Midwestern accent]

Diane: What are we gonna do, Charrrles? Oh no, that's bad. How are we going to fix it?
Charles: I don't know, Diannnne. What am I - the Good Year answer maannn?

[Words elongated for accurate reflection of accent.. help me out here.]

Eventually, we make it to Mary's house. We have a good sleep, a hearty breakfast, and get on the road early the next morning to make it to Indiana by dusk. All that I can remember upon arrival in South Bend is the Walmart parking lot which resembled an endless sea of RVs, and a night of drinks at "The Library" to unwind from our journey. Note, it was very cold that October night.. sleep before the big game didn't come without a price.

Stay tuned for Game Day & Return Trip posts.

Important Note: This post does not mean much without images. Unfortunately, I did not have a digital camera until late 2003 and will be investing in a scanner in the near future to gloss up my matte white photos that may resemble 1970 when all is said and done.

*The bathroom becomes quite symbolic throughout this tale.

US Cities: The Results are In!

While I can't help but be slightly offended at the fact that 0% of our poll respondents expressed that Boston would be their US home of choice, I can agree with the desire to live in the winning city: San Francisco, with 57% of all votes. A close second, New York City garnered 42% of votes cast. The ironic thing is that these two cities exude a similar feel. One on the left coast and one closer to the right, San Fran & NYC offer the hustle & bustle, historic landmarks, and unique history that many great cities possess.

Funnily enough, I've been told that Boston & Chicago boast a similar atmosphere. Living the majority of my life in or around Boston and never having visited the Windy City, my understanding is that they both radiate a large town feel rather than that of a small city. Both Beantown & Chi-Town attract a large percentage of college students as well as eager post-grads.

Did You Know...

• Boston built the first subway system in the US in 1897
  
• Chicago style softball is played without a glove and with a 16" softball
  
• New York City boasts the largest Chinatown / Chinese enclave in the Western Hemisphere
  
• San Francisco features the only moving National Historic Landmark courtesy of its beloved cable cars
  

Would you most like to visit a US city not listed in this article? If so, where would your heart take you?

DONK riding in Mexico

"Oh HELLLLL No! There aren't enough pesos in all of Mexico that would entice me to hoist myself up on to that donkey!" This would be my reaction to my best friend (and travel buddy), Meriel, at her suggestion to donkey ride up to the waterfall rather than hike it. Okay, it may appear to be rather dramatic, but hear me out:

1. I am wearing a semi-short, linen skirt.
2. I am wearing a semi-wet bathing suit bottom.
3. I am wearing flippityflops.
4. I am highly suspicious about the fact that the saddles have ever been cleaned (read between the lines on this one).
5. I am very scared of equines of any variety.

Up to this point we'd been enjoying a nice drunken boat cruise down the Mexican coast, starting from our hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Yes, we'd hopped in the water earlier in the morning for about 15 mins of snorkeling with narsty communal snorkeling equipment. However, the rest of the afternoon was spent with a beer in hand, and eyes on the shoreline (or watching Meriel get surrounded by 15 man-boys as she sunbathed - haha).
Back to the donkeys, Jackasses, and my mind changing moment: walking up to the waterfall would in fact take an hour, whereas taking a donk would only take 15 min. Alright, sold.

For a brief moment it looks like it is going to take a couple of helpers to get me up onto the sucker, that moment [thankfully] passes. I struggle into the saddle, and start moseying towards the waterfall. Now let me tell you, these poor creatures have made this trip so many times, and are so tame, I had zero to nothing to fear. And, muahahahaha, the suckers who are walking are eating my dust, and stepping in my donkey's poop.

The pay-off was huge...well...visually huge. The donkey path brought us to a gorgeous waterfall in the midst of the Mexican jungle called la cascada Quimixto (there are tons of tour providers that take this trip from Puerto Vallarta, just ask your hotel). We dismounted, and headed to the cafe to enjoy some mediocre nachos, and watched people splash around in what I would consider a borderline cesspool. Don't get me wrong, it was beautiful, and a great experience - however, there was no denying that it was a huge overrun tourist destination.(*Notice the tiny support post holding up the entire foot bridge)

In the end, I really just loved that this was another travel experience that pushed me out of my lounge chair, and got me to explore more than just the lame resort we were staying at. Even though there were a few moments where I felt my wee donk was going to topple over due to the weight on its back.

San Diego: A Whale's..

I couldn't resist. If you don't know the saying, then I'm sure you can come up with something creative. I'll give you a hint, essentially much of what I reference will be Will Ferrell inspired. Or a direct quotation from Zoolander.



Other than fictionally translating to the genitalia of a sea creature [except maybe in the case of the sperm whale], San Diego hands-down boasts one of the most awe-inspiring coastal landscapes in the west. It's the only cross-country destination I've visited more than twice, and the only city in which I've sported a bathing suit since my 10th birthday. Ok, ok - I jest. I never wore traditional swimwear in good ole Diego.

In the handful of times that I've had the pleasure of basking in the southern California sun - hoodie and all, I'd have to say that the most memorable visit was during the summer of 2005. Reason being, my two female friends and I met some strapping Australian lads at Petco Park while taking in a Padres vs. Reds ballgame. There's nothing like some Aussie spirit to really get you motivated.

Prior to meeting these fine folks, we made the drive of our lives. After having flown into Long Beach by way of Jet Blue, we were fortunate enough to be hooked up with a very cheap rental car courtesy of a friend of a friend. The exchange was very Sopranos-esque. I just realized that after Molly's scam reference in her most recent post, we're beginning to sound like a bunch of delinquents. I promise you that there is only a small degree of truth to that theory. In any case, we were afforded the opportunity of cruising down the Cali coast in a Sebring convertible. I realize those are no longer cool whips, but at the time, we were living the dream.

Having our way with the highways of California - including the infamous '5' / Pacific Coast Highway - we flashed our wheels through the affluent areas of surfer-saturated Huntington Beach, wealthy Newport Beach, and even wealthier Laguna Beach. Clearly, Laguna Beach was a large thrill for us as our trip happened to coincide with the height of the popular MTV reality series of the same name. I can't speak for myself, but I know that Tine & JazzFace were subtly keeping their eyes glued to the scene, hoping to get a glimpse of Lauren Conrad. We're kind of like Peter Pan - we'll never grow up [neither will this guy? - make your own judgment call on this one]..

In any case, if you ever get the chance to travel to SoCal, I'd highly recommend making this 2 hour journey. It didn't hurt that it was 85 degs and sunny from point A to point B. Of course, be sure to check out Long Beach rental car prices before you commit. Unfortunately, we can't trust past experiences / costs when considering today's flourishing economy.

Popular Neighborhoods in San Francisco

..and also somewhat practical. While this blog does serve to partially focus on remaining economically sound throughout your travels, San Francisco isn't exactly known for its reasonable prices. And not that I'm from or live in the area.. yet.. but I did get the scoop from a few locals on areas to explore & neighborhoods to consider if you're planning a potential west coast move. Much like myself.

Here goes, and if there are any San Franciscan natives or connoisseurs following this blog, feel free to chime in where necessary!

Marina District: A popular locale for 20 and 30 somethings, this area has been up and coming in recent years. I've heard that if you do feel a slight rumbling beneath you while in the Marina, then it's almost a guarantee that you may fall quickly into the depths of the perfect storm. Apparently everyone around here wears life jackets, helmets and floaties at all times. I hope you didn't believe that. Located approximately 10 minutes from downtown via the express bus, the Marina is quite accessible to other parts of the city. It also boasts a variety of gyms as well as an amazing running/biking route that extends down to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Nob Hill: Keyword here is 'hill'. While they're all over the city, I encountered about 3 of the steepest inclines my tiny legs have ever endured upon my walk from the BART to my friend's apartment. I felt like a baby dinosaur that couldn't regain its balance at about every step. In any case, its location is clutch. Close to downtown, a 20 minute walk to China Town / North Beach, and a 35 minute walk to the Wharf, Nob Hill is fairly central. You can also walk to AT&T Ballpark - it's just a bit longer of a journey. Many of the apartment buildings here boast roof-deck views of the city that are absolutely mesmerizing. Additionally, you won't struggle to find an eatery or social spot - I'd recommend the following:

• Uncle Vito's: Located at Bush & Powell (Union Square / Nob Hill), fantastic pizza and a city original since 1977.
  
• Cantina: Located on Sutter Street, this cocktail lounge exudes chic style. My vote is for one of its signature drinks, the Tuscan Sangria. If you want something with a lot more of a punch, then try the Laughing Buddha.. but beware, this bad larry is stronger than a bull on steroids.
  

North Beach: Surrounded by Chinatown and the Wharf, this area is similar to Boston's North End in that it boasts an Italian feel. Rich with history, North Beach is known for its jazz festivals, street fairs and parades. It was also the childhood home of Joe DiMaggio, and is a famous locale for movie sets as well as an area popularly frequented by writers and musicians. My two suggestions for bars of note include:

• Mojito - Located on Grant Ave, fabulous strawberry mojitos, typically features daily/nightly live music.
  
• O'Reilly's - Shocker, an Irish pub! Located on Green Street, and like I've said before, they're like mosquitoes in dark, wet, wooded areas.. yet, I'll never hesitate to enter into one.
  

Russian Hill / Polk Street: Located approximately 20 minutes walking distance from Nob Hill, Polk Street is known for its nightlife. Especially its section in San Francisco's affluent Russian Hill neighborhood. Nearly any night of the week, this area attracts a crowd. Do note that Polk Street does run into the Tenderloin which is a less safe environment than its Russian Hill counterpart. One bar to grab a stiff cock.. tail at:

• Tonic: Boasting an artsy feel with velvet couches and tables that make you feel like you're a Knight of the Round Table, this bar/lounge offers a cozy, yet stylish atmosphere.
  

As I said before, I'm by no means a qualified expert on San Franciscan neighborhoods, but those noted above do include a handful of areas that I had the pleasure of visiting during my stay in the City by the Bay. Insight from natives is absolutely welcome!

San Francisco: Don't Call it Frisco ... Seriously

It's a good thing that I learned this very important piece of information on my final day in San Fran. Fortunately, for the sake of potentially passing as a native, I didn't utter the phrase out loud, but merely repeated it time after time in my dome. It was kind of like that part in "Elf" when Will Ferrell [i.e. Buddy the Elf] states: "Francisco, now THAT'S fun to say. Francisco, Francisco", except I imitated it internally. Huh, ironic - the name he falls in love with is one in the same with a city that I now have an affinity for.. I should also mention that I have a strange affinity for elf culture. I could reference "Elf" all day, but I'll stop for now.

Also, to mark my status as an outsider, I made sure to listen to Scott McKenzie's tribute to the city by the bay, "San Francisco". I also wore flowers in my hair, and made sure to pack enough fresh fleurs for my stay.. ok, no I didn't.. but I did listen to the ditty en route to the west coast. I swear I had my ipod on shuffle.. I just might have hit repeat a few times.. or for 2 hours straight. Don't worry, I did the same thing on my flight to Omaha - thank you, Counting Crows. I will be sure to wear a bright red target on my back for all future trips.



Not only is San Fran one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited, but it is also one of the most expensive. While the majority of the city is walkable [if you're not in a rush, and if you're in decent enough shape to climb small mountains], my advice would be to take the BART & the MUNI instead of a cab whenever possible. I might have traveled 2.5 miles, and my cab fare came to $14.. I actually did experience pangs of pain upon transferring my cash from my pocket to the cabbie - and if you know me at all, then you know how much I HEART cabbies. I'm certainly not one to champion the public transportation system in Boston, but I do have to admit that it's a bit more straight-forward, intuitive, and reliable than what I'd experienced in San Fran. Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the transit authority is the fact that the station agents are not actually helpful. Granted I'd only been in the city for a total of 4 days, every time I visited a station, getting any assistance from an employee of the underground became more of a challenge. Your best bet is to either plan ahead and gather correct change, or carry smaller bills so that you're not fooled by the way the ticket kiosks require payment.

Additionally, be familiar with areas that are considered tourist traps. Pier 39 is an area renowned for attracting outsiders. It's right on the Wharf and offers a plethora of bay cruises, the infamous seals & sea lions lazing on the docks, and a Disney World-like atmosphere with its variety of street performers, musicians, and jugglers. I have to admit that I did take the Bay Cruise Adventure out of Pier 39 to catch an up-close glimpse of the Golden Gate as well as a 360 degree view of Alcatraz.

Another popular tourist trap is the cable car. And again, it was inevitable that I'd find my way onto one before fleeing the city. It's $5 per ride, and in my opinion, is definitely worth riding at least once!

What can I say, like Molly with souvenirs, I'm a total sucker for major tourist attractions.. they're a part of history. At least I didn't purchase the cable car ornaments or magnets that were in my face at every turn.. MOLLY.

More to come on amazing areas and local hot spots to check out!

The Picking of Apples

I do love apple picking. I try to go every fall, since there's nothing more traditional if you live in New England than picking apples in the fall. Being that it's September, my sister and I decided we should pick. It was a nice day out, Macintosh apples (best kind ever) were said to be in season, and the only other thing we wanted to do besides pick was nap. And while napping can be quite glorious on a Saturday afternoon, we decided to motivate ourselves to be productive and pick apples. My sister took us to this amazing orchard called Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, CT. It is giant, and not only do they have apples, but they also have peaches, pears, pumpkins, various other fruits, a corn maze, and frisbee golf (fun!). Though at this place you could spend all day trekking through the orchards, we were not quite so energetic. My sister manuevered us via car to where the Macintoshes grow (they have different lots close to the types of apples you want) and we parked. After grabbing a picking bag, we walked to the first tree we saw and shockingly it was a Macintosh. Yay! This tree was full of apples (see photo). Literally every apple was perfect (I don't even kid). I'd never seen anyth

ing like it. We ended up filling our bags at this one beautiful tree and then walked the 20 ft back to the checkout and paid (cash only fyi! (my sister didn't have enough money)). Though doing this may make you feel lazy, don't worry about it, because you've still gone apple picking! And be sure to take pictures as proof of your apple picking fun!

Here is a link to some orchards in the Boston area:

http://www.pickyourown.org/massbluerasp.htm

New York City: Walk Like You Own the Place

If there's one thing I've learned in my many weekend trips to the Big Apple, it's that you better walk around the city and into bars, shops, and restaurants as if you own the place. Otherwise, you risk getting eaten alive by New York natives. It has taken me a while to get the hang of this, but I've learned to march with a mission at times other than when I'm a) starving, or b) desperately in need of a porcelain God.

I tend to hang on the Upper East Side since this is the area in which many of my friends and family reside. There are a lot of great eateries and social spots between the 70s and 90s. There are also a lot of watering holes that will charge you $16+ for a standard mixed drink or traditional hamburger. JG Melon is NOT one of these places.

I'd like to think of this place as a hidden gem, but approach the corner of 73rd and 3rd and you'll realize that this is far from true. Always bustling and always delicious, JG Melon is a must if you ever find yourself on the UES. The burgers are the ideal size, juicy, flavorful and under $10! Additionally, while the inside of the joint is quite narrow and run in a typical NYC fashion - quickly and without much regard for being friendly - you won't even notice the lack of space once you sink your teeth into a good ole classic, American dish. Pair it with a side of fries, a bloody Mary, and/or a few Coronas, and you've got yourself a nice little lunch place or kickoff spot for a leisurely Saturday.

Check out other JG Melon reviews.. and if you make it there, be sure to let us know what you think!

Boulder to Boston with a kitty on my tail

*Honda CRV packed with all of your childhood friend's stuff - check

*One new stray black kitten who the boyfriend is training to be a dog - check
*One little box for said kitten to poop in during the 36 hour non-stop car trip - check

*Animosity toward your friend and her boyfriend for making you move their asses to the boyfriend's new apartment while all you wanna do is lie in a dark corner being hungover and cracked out - check

I'd heard of good ingredients for a cross-country road trip, but my deep black heart told me these weren't going to be it.

Being unemployed at the time, I had jumped at the opportunity to go to Boulder, CO for a week while my friend, Annie, finished up her summer classes. Boulder in the summer is really ideal for anyone looking for a laid back scene, and good eats (or if you are a burnout, whatever). You've got the Flatirons for hiking, Boulder Creek for "tubing", and the Liquor Mart to help you truly enjoy the former two. It had been a relaxing week, and after the last night of hiking, tubing, and liquor marting, we spent the entire following morning bickering, bitching, and moving Annie's boyfriend Carlos' belongings into his new apartment. The entire process delayed our departure until about dusk that evening - if I had actually let people talk to me, it just may have taken a little less time.

In complete silence we headed out of Boulder on I-76 toward Nebraska. I remember initially thinking "sweet we get to drive in a straight line for 4 hours". However, thanks to the silence my mood created I was able to truly appreciate the beauty of traveling east from the Rocky Mountains at dusk toward the darkness and utter flatness of the U.S. Midwest. Looking back at the abruptness of the mountains is surreal.

The following 36 hours were a blur of greasy truck-stops (a true American tradition), smelly cat poop (and litter), crossing the Mississippi River (oops slept through that one), Little Red Corvettes (the Prince song not the car), desires to brush our teeth in a White Castle bathroom at 10am (followed by approximately 20 sliders), lots of "Kum & Go" gas marts (no, really), and even more no doze (truckers recommend). Whatever I thought driving across the U.S. was going to be - it wasn't. But there really isn't a wrong way to make the trip. The point is that it should be done, there is no better way to appreciate how massive our country really is, and to know when it really comes down to it, a truck stop is a truck stop is a truck stop.
P.S. I have the lamest sense of humor!