Little Black Dress Exhibit, SCAD

Silliness was in the air last week while 2 friends and I spent a week on the Georgia Coast together, laughing hysterically and wreaking havoc wherever we went. One of the highlights of the week was attending the Little Black Dress Show at the SCAD Museum of Art. If you can't make it there before it ends in January here are some pics: 

One wicked queen gown for wearing to run the world. Yes, please.

The only way I'd get married again. In black Oscar DeLaRenta.

Happily Mapless in Finland: Directions for Girls

After having every day on our tour of the Baltic capitals planned out in detail and in such a way that there was never any time left over for much shopping (okay, maybe that's a conspiracy theory I can believe in) we were ready for some girl time in Helsinki. I'd been busy selling the Suomenlinna Fortress as something the men wouldn't want to miss but that we weren't interested in. Unfortunately visiting the market at the pier was a casualty of my plan, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

We'd seen enough palaces and had enough military history to last us a while and we were ready to lay siege to boutiques and storm gift shops in the city center. We were using the fortress as a brilliant diversionary tactic that would allow us to implement our campaign unhindered by questions like "Do you know how much that dress costs in DOLLARS?"

They didn't seem too keen on leaving us to our own devices. We are however battle hardened shoppers. We asked sweetly, "Can we stop in this store?"

A surprise attack. We weren't leaving. We wanted to look at every single item. I scooped up an armload from the sale rack and asked where the dressing room was. The surrender was immediate and complete:

"Excuse me" I heard a male voice say "Can you tell us where we can catch the ferry to the fortress?"

My heart leapt!

After that there were lots of instructions (what DO they think we do when we travel alone?) and pointing to things on maps.

Maps. (I know, right?)

Not that I don't like using a map, but is this a street name you'd be able to remember? You see my point. Besides, my travel ADD was in full swing...a map was not going to be helpful.

Of course our husbands wanted to know, did we want the map? They didn't need it after all, being men.

We declined. "We'll figure it out..."

They left the store wondering aloud if we'd make it back to the ship on time. I considered the fact that if I were going to abandon ship in a port Helsinki looked like a fine one to do it.

We had no goal this day except for shopping and enjoying ourselves, but I did want to mail one postcard. We inquired about where good shopping might be and were directed to the Centrum. Lots of small shops of high quality, and though there was a mall we were advised to avoid it since the weather was so nice. We strolled from shop to shop, had a long lunch, shopped some more and with a couple of hours to spare before "all aboard" we started to make our way back from whence we came.

We hadn't paid attention to a single street sign, not that the names would have been memorable anyway. With no map and no idea where we were or how far we'd walked we retraced our steps as we walked along.

"This must be the right direction, there is the place that the man who told us not to go to the mall said he bought his new glasses."

"This is that area where the couple walked with us and asked us about America."

"There is the statue with the globe, we turn right here."

We began to realize just how far we'd walked. We'd been strolling along having a lovely time and were unaware that we now seemed to be a good distance from the store where we'd started and from there it was still a mile or so to the ship...

"There's the store where we loved the dress in the window but didn't go in. We keep going straight."

"Here's the antique store with that beautiful platter in the window. Take a left."

"There's the store when we got rid of the men. Yay!"

Now I should say that I'd purchased stamps to mail my postcard early on thinking that would be the tough thing to find. I had been in several shops throughout the day and had not found ONE postcard of Finland. Here it was late in the day and this darling store only had funky little vintage cards, none of which said Finland. However, I was out of options. I picked one out and hastily wrote a pathetically short and lame message and got directions to the post box down the block.

Of course there was one more photo op.

Mission accomplished. Several missions in fact as I'd made quite a few purchases that I was ridiculously happy about. We made our way back to the ship, taking our own sweet time now, and at the last shipside souvenir shop--what did I find? A vast selection of post cards...

And what did I find in my cabin upon arrival? A man who looked at me with shock that two women had actually managed to find their way back where they were supposed to be.

We hadn't set sail yet, and I was tempted to head back to town.

Except that I had a new dress to wear to dinner...and yes, I do know how much it cost in DOLLARS. I'm just not telling.

Falling For the Gulf Coast in October

It's October, the air is cooler, the sky is bluer, and the leaves are beginning to turn in the south. The traditional trip to take this time of year is to the Smoky Mountains or the Ozarks for long drives on winding roads. You may want to rethink that choice in favor of something a bit different. A little known secret is that this is a perfect time to visit the Gulf Coast. While spring break at most beaches isn't exactly a family event, if your kids have a fall break it is possible for them to have entire hotel or condo swimming pools to themselves and for your family to visit restaurants without the hour and a half wait.

I cannot tell you what a luxury it is to walk straight into Lulu's and request a table by the water. Eating outside when the humidity is gone and the temperature is in the 80s is far superior to standing around amid sweltering crowds and having the ice melt in your drink before it gets to the table. It is possible to find deals on hotels and condos, when more of them are empty. If you want something extra to do, or think too much relaxation is a bad thing, then you can plan your visit during Shrimp Fest.

We drove down on a Friday and our condo wasn't going to be ready until the next day so we needed a hotel for one night. We found a gem right on the beach. The Hilton Garden Inn at Orange Beach offers, in addition to all the amenities they are known for, a lovely pool area with an indoor/outdoor pool, hot tub, pool side bar, and beach access. Robert, at the bar, whips up a mean pina colada. While most hotels are laying out the same old continental breakfast, HGI serves a made to order breakfast that is superb for less than ten bucks. If you run into Austin at breakfast you can get some snarky commentary to go with your coffee. I love that. The staff is friendly and if you have a problem they will work hard to make it right.

While there are enough people on the beach to enjoy people watching (my favorite beach activity) by dinner time it will be nearly empty. This means that you can enjoy taking that requisite family beach photo without your kids being embarrassed by other people watching them. Here's ours. Oh, and the white and khaki thing is over. Color it up!

By far, the nicest thing about traveling to the coast this time of year is the absence of traffic and crowds. Less time getting where you are going for dinner and standing around in long lines under misters means more time at the beach for the kids and a lot less stress for mom and dad. Besides, the leaves are probably turning in your own front yard. And as you can see from this last picture of my daughter and her husband, a little romantic solitude is a very good thing.

My Owner is in LOVE.

That's right. My Owner is cheating on Italy with the entire region of Scandinavia.  She recently wrote about it on her blog...

Don't we make a cute couple?

I've fallen in love and it is one of those tragic stories of longing and desire that will most likely end badly. Or sadly. Or something. Sometimes you just can't make the fleeting object of your desire your own.

I hate that. 

Impeccable manners, a charming accent, an eye for design, great style, hip, clean, smart, rational, and absolutely beautiful.  Who has stolen my heart, you ask? Well it isn't a who but a where. You see, I've been to Scandinavia and let me just tell you...three days with a new love isn't anywhere near enough.

I know what you are thinking. "Weren't you head over heels for Italy?"

Smitten with Finland...

I was. I am. I always will be. But Italy is like the exotic well traveled older man, worldly wise, who likes a conquest. I was more than happy to oblige with my whole heart while he seduced me with coffee, wine, and breathtaking vistas. And history. Oh the history. And fountains. Art. And his accent. Oh yes, that. And when he spoke Italian passionately. I mean, what's a girl to do?

But the old guy has some serious competition. 

Sweden: He's so fine...

Let me introduce Scandinavia. Denmark, Finland, and Sweden are the younger guys in tight pants who want to talk about the future while they unclutter your life and mind. While Italy showers you with gifts of one kind then another, Scandinavia says "Baby, you don't really need all that." and you believe him. He's subtle. He doesn't need to be pushy to get what he wants. He'll have you begging to paint the walls white and ride your bike to the bakery. He isn't living in the past. Old lovers and conquests, he remembers. But this guy has his eye on the future. He's got big ideas. He's got vision. And he has that one really important quality in a man. He can clean up after himself. In fact, his place is spotless. (swoon)

On top of all that, he's willing to give you space and time to breath.  Italy is amazing and he knows it. Oh how he knows it. In fact he keeps pointing it out. "Darling, aren't I amazing? Aren't you lucky to be with me?" He just can't stop talking about himself. Scandinavia doesn't need to do that. He'll win you over with friendly confidence. He'll put you at peace. He'll make you smile.

Denmark: Did I mention he's charming?

The fleeting nature of our meeting is a little hard for me to deal with. I have a memento or two to remind me of our brief time together, but I can't let myself believe it was a one time thing. So in the style of heroines of love stories down through the ages, I'm plotting a way to get back to him...for 3 more days, or weeks,
 or years...

Waking up next to Sweden.

 

The Power of Leggings

 Knit fabrics are musts for travel. When packing for the most days with the least amount of items the key is rolling articles of clothing instead of folding. I picked up this tunic at Ross for $7.99. Here are the 3 ways I intend to wear it. Outfit # 1 is brown leggings, brown cardigan, and Privo walking shoes for city sight seeing. I added a scarf with the exact same colors thought a pattern of keys that I picked up in Florence. I think this will be perfect for a cool day touring museums and outdoor attractions.

Outfit # 2 is replacing the scarf with a piece of flashy jewelry, black leggings, and patent leather flats. This will be a quick change for dinner. The fact that the pattern has both black and brown in it makes it easy to bridge that divide we have to make when packing...black shoes and accessories or brown?

Outfit # 3 brings it down a couple of notches with jeggings and a short sleeved gray cardigan for stylishly bumming around cities, eating in outdoor cafes, shopping, and people watching.

Here's a tunic dress that I rescued from a friend's daughter's Goodwill bag. The sleeves are floaty and the skirt part is shimmery. Perfect with black leggings and those black flats again for dinner.

For comfortably walking city streets or on travel days pair it with  brown leggings, cardigan, and a scarf that incorporates purples, browns, and oranges to tie the look together. I'm not a big fan of necklaces and bracelets for day trips. A cross body bag leaves you hands free and I am going to be wearing a camera as well. Skip belts in the daytime for the same reason. Too many dangly strappy things are just going to be a nuisance and bracelets get in the way when taking off layers and putting them on over the course of the day.

They key to traveling comfortably is to stylishly simplify.

Magic in Orlando

Last weekend My Owner and her son traveled to Orlando, compliments of Hilton Garden Inn. They had been invited to a Magical Get Away and slumber party for mommy bloggers. Madame's Mr. Snarky was by far the oldest "child" there at 20. Being his mother's son, however, he had more fun than anyone else. Those two ate great food, rode roller coasters, and had an all around good time. They arrived at the airport in a downpour and after settling in at the hotel caught the I Ride Trolley just near the hotel and rode it to Pointe Orlando in search of food. This is a great place for shopping and MO would have enjoyed it immensely on the sunny Florida day she had packed for. Instead, she was drenched and running from store to store looking for a place to eat. Several places seemed not to be open for lunch, or perhaps they were just empty because of the weather, and MO and Mr. Snarky landed at Hooters. I'm pretty sure MO was the only mommy blogger taking her kid there for lunch.

They arrived back at the hotel with just enough time to get ready for dinner. The HGI team had planned a fun evening of kid friendly food, (complete with a sundae bar!) and the movie, Finding Nemo. Mr. Snarky bailed early to head back to the room.

I mean, come on, the playoffs were on!

The next day it was time for Epcot and Hollywood Studios using their Disney day hopper passes. Their shared passion for travel and food made Epcot the perfect choice for morning then in the afternoon they headed to Hollywood Studios where it was Star Wars weekend. AKA nerd heaven.

So of course those two fit right in.  Here are some pictures from their day:

Hollywood Studios backlot tour...fire and flash flood!

Like a kid in a candy store...

I say, may I use the telly?

Art for the art history student in "France"

The age cut off for the Jedi Training Camp is 12? We were a little disappointed.

Legos and Star Wars a match made in heaven...or someplace in the galaxy...

Out of our way!

The perfect place to end a great day and dream of Sea World in the morning!

Italian Parking

Parking skills of the Romans...legendary.

Travel and the Proper Shopper

Do you own any of these?

Window decal depicting every member of your family as stick people with mouse ears?
Plastic replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
Beret that says Paris?
A coffee cup with the name of a city, state, or country on it?
A naughty t-shirt that seemed like a good idea when you were on Bourbon Street?

I don't know when travel and tacky souvenirs became synonymous but it was probably when the first Barbarian child received a t-shirt that said "My father sacked Rome and all I got was this lousy shirt."

I'm on a mission to have people stop this kind of common and unsatisfying travel shopping.  It's what most people do. Tacky little souvenir shops abound in places with heavy tourist traffic. After you have been in one I can promise you that you have seen what will be in every other one. Do you honestly want 3 shirts for $10 from the Alabama Gulf Coast? There is a way to spend your money more wisely and enjoy the purchases you make for years to come.

Focus on 2 things:

What is something you (or the person you are buying a gift for) use in your everyday life?

What is the area you are traveling to famous for producing?

Do a little research before embarking on your trip. Is the region famous for a particular type of food, textile, glass, pottery, or activity?

Plan on spending a bit more and buying less.

This look, at a pastry shop in Assisi, is easily recreated at home.

In England, instead of picking up a shirt that says "London" you may want to take your teenage soccer playing son a jersey of the local favorite team. The English are famous for their gardening skills and related gifts abound from watering cans to garden gloves. In Italy the food, wine, and olive oil possibilities are endless. In Mexico a blanket woven in traditional colors, a bowl for your home made salsa, or a bottle of vanilla would be better choices than maracas, unless you play in a mariachi band on the weekends. And no one, NO ONE wants the giant sombrero unless you are bringing it with a bottle of tequila like the one you were drinking when you bought it. No, even then, bring the tequila, leave the sombrero.

A classic and stylish piece of clothing, a leather bag or belt, or some decorative item for the home are good ideas. In any city look for local, quality, kitchen stores if you are a cook. Picking up an item that you will get lots of use out of and will remind you of your trip is a choice you won't regret. Lovely dish towels from a better linen store will give you joy and bring to mind pleasant memories, for years. If you love flea markets find one in your destination city and scour the stalls for something unique and unusual that goes with your decor.

Remember that we live in a world, where everything is available to us online. For this reason I don't recommend purchasing books very often while traveling. I do make exceptions for unusual second hand book shops or volumes found in antique stores. Books are among the heaviest items you can lug home. You could even conceivably see something in a store, order online from your hotel room that evening, and have it waiting for you at home upon your return. 

If you see something that you absolutely fall in love with, know you will use, and it's a quality item...buy it. Especially if it is hard to find or in a thrift store or flea market. You likely won't get another chance. Anything in a museum gift shop or major store however, you can easily find on the store's website and have it shipped right to your door.

One last thing. Take lots of pictures. Those are your real travel treasures. You might even want to consider spending more on a camera for the trip of a lifetime and less on chachkies. Besides taking pictures of yourself at every important landmark, you can take pictures of flower arrangements, landscape ideas, interesting food/drink presentations, or interesting decor that you may want to recreate at home. You may come home with a new recipe or the love of a new food. Remember that you are trying to evoke a memory of a happy time, that doesn't necessarily have to be weighed when you check in for your flight home. 

Go forth, and spend wisely.  

Happy travels and shopping, y'all!

My Owner's Travel Confession

 Today's post is a guest post by my owner, Madame Housewife:

I will confess to never having been homesick. I have been desperately ill and wanted to be home, but it isn't the same thing. Never once when traveling have I missed anyone at home, not even children (there goes the Mother of the Year Award). Such is the lure of a far off sunrise. Sometimes when traveling I hear other people speak of how eager they are to give a loved one a gift they have purchased for them.

"Can't we just ship it to them and stay here?" I think to myself. Isn't it the thought that counts? (There goes the Friend/Wife/Daughter of the Year Award.)

The proximity of other interesting places fills me with a particular form of want. When first I went to Italy I thought how easy it would be to get to Greece. Later when I traveled in Greece I thought how easy it would be to go to Turkey. England makes me think how close I  am to Scandinavia. Central America lures me south to the Amazon and Andes...and so on...

Sometimes snippets of poetry, the odd movie line, or fragmented ideas from favorite books swim to the surface in my mind. Things like "set sail for ports unknown" or " I'm going out exploring one day, you watch." I come alive in strange places. I'm inspired. I'm hopeful. I'm ambitious. I imagine that I will come home and do all the things I've been putting off. I'll make art. I'll write more. I'll do tai chi in a park at sunrise.

Then I return to my house.

I put tiny  soaps from the hotel in the bathroom closet. I do laundry. I hoist my suitcase to the top shelf of the office closet and as I do dreams slip out of it and disappear into the ordinariness of the everyday. I suddenly think how hard it is going to be to find a tai chi class in the south. And how fierce the mosquitoes are at dawn.

There must be a way of capturing that feeling of possibility I have when traipsing around strange cities and making it last past the moment I put my key in my own door and wonder if the house always smells like this...

The reason for the change in familiar surroundings, I am at a loss to explain. Perhaps my muse is an elusive creature frightened off by the enthusiastic greeting of my dogs when I enter. Maybe everyday life just crowds out creativity. Could it be that my creative seed just longs to be scattered to the four winds instead of making dinner?

I'll bet there is a soul killing agent in laundry detergent ."Guaranteed to get out the stain of the quest for adventure no matter how deeply it is set in."

Okay, that's a bit dramatic.

But see what happens when I spend too much time at home?

(There goes the Housewife of the Year Award.)

Travel = Happy

My happy owner atop Mr. Vesuvius.

I don't know if getting there is still half the fun or not, with flight attendants cursing passengers and pilots having melt downs mid flight. I doubt it. But planning what you will do once you arrive, imagining how much fun you will have, and envisioning what you will wear is lots and lots of fun. Madame is now in the midst of planning a trip that will take her to places she knows little about, so research is in order.

When studies of happiness are done, it isn't surprising to learn that spending money on experiences is a better investment than buying material objects. Once basic needs are met, THINGS offer up little satisfaction. The break or become obsolete. We often have buyer's remorse. It is the life blood of yard sales.

It's hard to imagine a trip you wish you hadn't made. Researchers tell us that not only is the journey itself contributing to your happiness, but you also enjoy the anticipation and planning, and talk about it for years afterwards making it a stable investment in your quality of life.

So the next time you are thinking about making a big purchase, especially because you are depressed or in a rut,  you might want to call your travel agent instead.

Happy travels, Y'all!

Travel Love

 

               Do you have a favorite travel photo? My Owner took this one in Venice in 2009.

Mr. Suitcase's Travel Companion Checklist

There are lots of packing and travel checklists available. None of them seem to cover a very essential part of a perfect journey: the travel companion. 

Strange food, frustration with canceled or delayed flights, and language barriers can bring out a person's true identity. The adventure lover in My Owner doesn't mind any of that much at all. People watching being at its most interesting when things are falling apart. Travel can make us feel as if we are on unsure ground. Periodic exhaustion is a given. The old saying is that you don't know anyone until you live with them. Please. Living with them is nothing compared to flying, sailing, or taking a bus tour with them. Here are some qualities you are going to want in a travel partner.

• A sense of humor: It's first because you are going to need it. It can salvage the most dire of situations and make a good day more hilariously fun than you can imagine. Laughter also translates well often erasing language barriers.
• Flexibility: If they can't roll with the punches and be happy with changes in plans...leave them at home where they can be in control.
• Promptness: A must. You not only don't want to be with the person who is holding up the tour, but you don't want to be the companion standing around making awkward apologies and assuring everyone your room mate will "be down any minute." 
• A spirit of adventure: It is going to put a damper on your trip if your companion is always saying "Oh, I don't want to do that." You want someone who will do (most things ;)) at least once. 
• Gracious manners and cultural sensitivity: Do I really have to explain how embarrassing it can be to travel with an example of "the ugly American?" You are looking for someone with graciousness and an appreciation of other lifestyles and cultures. 
• Curiosity: Learning something with someone else and exploring are great fun if your companion if inquisitive. 
• A love of knowledge: A person who is well read is practically widely traveled even if they've never been anywhere. Connections to books and information makes travel a deeper experience.
• An interest in history: Knowing what happened in the places you are visiting is an essential step in understanding a culture. 
• A love of food: Eating is a vital part of the travel experience. You aren't looking for a travel mate who is constantly trying to find the McDonald's.
• Low maintenance: People who need constant reassurance and attention should be left behind.
• A light packer: Last but not least you want someone who can travel without every piece of clothing in their wardrobe. It expedites every step along the way of a journey.

Find your travel soul mate and get busy planning a lifetime of adventures together!

Happy travels, y'all!

My Owner looked around the cruise ship the second week in January and realized that most of the college kids were getting ready to go back to school or were already there. Her son, 20 and his friend were going to have trouble finding anyone their age to hang out with.

"Okay guys, I'm looking around the ship" MO said at dinner, "and I'm noticing the lack of a certain demographic."

Son's Friend: "There's always the crew. All you have to know is what time she gets off."

It's gonna be a fun week, MO thought.

Now the thing about drinking in someplace like Mexico is that unlike in the U.S. no bartender is ever going to cut you off. No one is going to be responsible.

Where's Your Exit?

Do you yawn or check the score from last night's game during the flight attendant's safety briefing? You might want to pay closer attention next time. 

  On Madame's recent cruise she grabbed some coffee and walked out onto the deck of the cruise ship to see the BBC morning news airing the story of a sinking Italian ship. After an ugly encounter with a rocky coastline, it never actually "sank" but met its demise, nonetheless.

On a cruise leaving the States you will, immediately upon departure, have a safety drill in which you will be required to report to your muster station for roll call. This is where you will assemble to board your life boat in the worst case scenario. They are serious. Cabins are checked. Names are marked off. If people are missing the crew finds them to participate in a "make up" drill. A video about exactly what to do in an emergency is playing as you arrive in your cabin and loops constantly. Last year however Madame Owner traveled across the Ionian Sea from Italy to Greece with her daughter. There was no drill. They did locate their lifejackets in the  cabin, but no other instructions were ever given. There was no video in the cabins. Had anything gone wrong they might have been their own.

 In the case of the Costa Concordia it seems to be the captain's fault. But what, if anything, can passengers do to increase their chances of survival in what are called "low probability/ high impact (or consequence) events? 

Click here to listen to the coast guard/ Captain Schettino audio.

The short answer is: To ever think about it. At all. It turns out that you have a better chance of saving yourself, and possibly others if you have mentally prepared. Simply put this means, knowing where the exits are and imagining what you would do in an emergency.


Here's a quote from the web site of the author of The Survivor's Club:

In fact, one of the most surprising things you’ll encounter in a disaster is inaction. Believe it or not, but most people do nothing. They’re bewildered. In a stupor, they wait for instructions.

Experts say that 80 percent of us are likely to respond this way with so-called “behavioral inaction.” Only 10 percent act quickly and decisively. Fortunately, just 10 percent of us act dangerously or counterproductively.

Think back to 9-11. How many people, even when they instinctively knew they should leave the building, stayed behind because they followed instructions to do so?  If your intuition tells you things are really bad, they probably are. Every book  on the subject indicates that passivity is dangerous. Sitting quietly and believing placating explanations from those in charge wastes precious moments. But the key to survival seems to be being able to wrap your brain around the concept that something bad has happened and action must be taken. Often passengers in plane survivable plane crashes sit stoically even when clear instructions are given.

“Paralysis seems to happen on the steepest slope of the survival arc—where almost all hope is lost, when escape seems impossible, and when the situation is unfamiliar to the extreme.” ~ Amanda Ripley, author of The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes--and Why

“Resilience is a precious skill. People who have it tend to also have three underlying advantages: a believe that they can influence life events; a tendency to find meaningful purpose in life’s turmoil; and a conviction that they can learn from both positive and negative experiences.”
–Amanda Ripley, The Unthinkable

Find your exits. Imagine the worst and take a moment to think about what you might do.

This concludes today's safety briefing.

Keep calm and carry on...

Booking Travel Plans

"I read;
I travel; 
I become."
  ~Derek Walcot

 "Books." A sign My Owner is always looking for while traveling. Usually her companions hope desperately that she doesn't come across one. It can mean a trance like break in the middle of an otherwise focused excursion. Her daughter is always especially chagrined by passing (or trying to) a bookstore with her mother. She is usually on the lookout for a sign that says "shoes."

And never the twain shall meet.

Last year while walking in Rome, MO  and her friends happened upon an outdoor book stall, on the sidewalk. Everyone agreed to give MO a few moments to shop while they sat down for a rest. The dean of admissions of a local college took a fabulous picture of her browsing the volumes wearing her trenchcoat and hat. She showed it to MO who loved it. It is still in the friend's memory card because she has never downloaded it nearly a year later, so Madame Owner cannot share it with you. 

She claims she is busy planning a wedding and working on her Ph.D. Some people have no sense of priorities.

Nothing makes MO happier than finding a book loving friend who will wander aimlessly, sit on the floor, and call out all the funniest title names in a bookshop with her.  Yes, there are OTHER people who enjoy behaving this way. Madame and her friends don't mean to be annoying, they are just uber enthusiastic bibliophiles.

This week one of Madam's friends and owner of her favorite local bookstore posted a link to the most beautiful bookstores in the world. MO began fantasizing about future trips on which she could lure her unwitting family to them.

Here is the link in case you share My Owner's love of paper and ink: 

The Twenty Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World

Enjoy!

...and happy travels, Y'all!

Where the Heck is Roatan?

Madame saw a man wearing a t-shirt that said "Where the hell is Roatan? when she was in Honduras recently. That's where Roatan is; it's an island off the coast. (Click here to read about the history of the island.) Last year the cruise ship docked at Mahogany Bay a little touristy spot with lovely little shops that look like Caribbean cottages and a sky lift (think SKI lift) to take visitors over to the private beach if they don't want to walk through the lovely manicured grounds. Madame had been describing that lovely scene all week to her new friends in the hot tub or at the pool.

The danger of sharing a travel experience is that sometimes things change and then you just look, well, silly. This is what happened to Madame. This time the ship docked (or would have if another ship hadn't already been there) at Coxen Hole. The first bad sign was that there wasn't any pier and passengers had to be tendered to the dock. No big deal, tendering is actually kind of fun, unless you forget something and need to run back to the ship. Once ashore there was a charming little shopping area much like the one she remembered but at the information booth she was informed that the taxi to go to West End where there was a beach, and several restaurants and places to shop, was going to run about $25 per person. To go the mile and half or two to get to Mahogany Bay? About the same. That's a lot of money and you can negotiate with the drivers but at this point Madame wasn't in the mood.

"So there's nothing to do right here?"

The helpful retired American (there are about 1500 of them on the island) informed her that she could walk out the gate past where the taxis were and turn right--that would take them to Old Towne. Sun sparkled on the water and some men played kettle drums outside a jewelry store with white plantation shutters. Shoppers crowded the liquor stores and boutiques. MO never has figured out the numerous diamond stores at every port the ship stops. They reached the gate and stepped out into reality. A couple of children asked for money. They walked along a treacherous sidewalk. Locales gawked. Several people asked them where they were headed and offered to take them to a beach. A young man asked them if he could help them find something. Mr. Mo said he was looking for a cigar store and the three of them headed there.


It was soon obvious that this kid had attached himself to them as a volunteer guide. Madame realized that they would need to tip him. After a shop or two where he stood patiently by as they shopped, and informed Madame whether or not it was alright to haggle, he introduced himself as Elmer Welcome. He spoke perfect English, had a very good knowledge of the history of the area. They chatted as they went through town. The main street that runs through Old Town holds no resemblance whatsoever to the gleaming cheerful tourist areas. The contrast is jolting. Buildings are ramshackle, grates over gutters on the street are missing leaving dangerous holes that could swallow a small child. There are stray dogs everywhere. Skinny ones. Between dilapidated buildings Madame would catch a glimpse of the gleaming ships in the harbor. They asked Elmer about his life. He was a high school student who was hoping to go to the local college to get a degree in hospitality. His goal was to get a job as a waiter on one of the cruise ships. Madame asked him how long the ships had been coming there.

"Fourteen years." he said.

"What was it like before?"

"There was nothing here but a dirt road, everyone was very poor before the tourists came."

Mr. MO inquired about a place to have lunch. He took them to the cleanest building in town. Still simple with outdoor seating with plastic lawn chairs, but exceedingly clean. Several locals sat with their laptops. Madame suspected this was the only place in town with wi-fi. They offered to buy Elmer's lunch but he said he would rather have cash. Mr. MO handed him fifteen dollars, thanked him and wished him luck.

Bay Side Restaurant and Grille has an excellent drink menu and delicious local food. Madame asked the waitress what the typical local meal was. Conch and fried plantain was the answer.  Mr. MO ordered the shrimp ceviche. The food was delicious, and beautifully presented. Simple ingredients were combined to make a perfect lunch. The conch was cooked in a butter and garlic sauce. MO ordered up a pina colada, after double checking about the use of purified ice. It was easily the best one she's ever had. The ceviche was beautiful and super fresh. I couldn't find a website for the restaurant but here is the link to their Facebook page.

Roatan is a beautiful island with a variety of experiences to offer. MO was disappointed that she didn't get to go snorkling this time. The reef in Roatan is now considered one of the top 7 places in the world for it. She wasn't willing to do it alone, and it really wouldn't be Mr. MO's thing at all. Next time however, even if it is a lone adventure she doesn't intend to miss it.

Happy Travels, Y'all!