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The Saturday City: Places I Don’t Like

August 23, 2008

For the last three months, I’ve been highlighting different cities from around the world. Each time I have nothing but praise for all these places. I’m constantly asked if I like everyplace I go because it sure seems that way. Well, I don’t. Generally, I like I everywhere but I have come across some places I just don’t like.

Atlanta
Hotlanta? More like Craplanta! I didn’t enjoy this place one bit and it might be my least favorite place in the world. It was dirty, grimy, lacked anything really interesting, and had traffic worse than Bangkok because they have no subway system. Why? Because white suburbanites are too afraid too that if they had one, black people would come from the city out into their area. Seriously. No lie. The only good thing about the city was that it was hot.

Milan
Milan is another useless city. It’s also dirty, grimy, lacks anything but shops, and has some of the rudest Italians this side of Naples. Even most Milanese don’t like it! They just are there for work. The only reason to go to Milan is to shop, otherwise you are just wasting your time.

Birmingham
As you know, I had a lot of good experiences in England. It’s such a great country but if I could skip one place it would be this city. Outside the shopping mall that is the city center, it looks like this place hasn’t been renovated since 1960. I also felt unsafe walking the streets here. The city just gave me a very creepy vibe.

Pattaya
Located on Thailand’s Gulf coast, this city is famous worldwide for prostitutes. Fat old men from around the world come here in search of someone who will tell them they are beautiful, even if that’s only because they have money. Pattaya is like Bangkok on the sea and pollution from the city has ruined the harbor. Now, you need to take a boat out to an overcrowded island in order to find a place worth swimming. The city is popular with local Thais who come for the theme park and Pattaya has tried to clean up it’s image over the last few years but until they clean up that harbor and the fat old men, I’m fine with never going again.

Brisbane
OK, I don’t hate this city like I do the others. It’s more a general ambivalence. There’s nothing really wrong with Brisbane (I mean Southbank is nice) but I found the city to remind me too much of America. It also really lacked any culture or anything interesting besides the shops. I’d go back to Brisbane in the future but did I love the city? Not really.

There are plenty of places in the world I don’t like. Not all Saturday cities are glitter and gold and every so often I’ll rant about one or two I don’t like. However, the explorer in me finds the best in all places.

The Saturday City: Chiang Mai

August 9, 2008

Chiang Mai is Thailand’s northern version of Bangkok. It’s the second largest city in Thailand and is the gateway to the jungles and cities of the north. Once a quiet little village, the city has morphed in the last ten years into a major business and tourist center. Large amounts of westerners began flocking here for jungle treks and a quite mountain setting but the crowds kept increasing and with it the locals flocking to make money off them. Chiang Mai now has a population of 500,000.

While the city has lost of its charm that made it so popular it is a still a vibrant place to be and there is a lot to do here, despite the growth, smog, and package tourists.

The city’s historic grandeur is evident in the ruins of the old city wall that encircles the old city. These thick stone sections give an indication of the power that Chiang Mai once wielded, though they’re now left crumbling. Now, modern buildings surround the wall and the only real evidence of Chiang Mai’s ancient past- the temples. The city is dotted with amazing and numerous Buddhist temples. The city has over 300 temples but the main historic ones are: Wat Chiang Man (the oldest temple in Chiang Mai), Wat Phra Singh (built in 1345 and offers meditation classes), Wat Chedi Luang (founded 1401), Wat Ched Yot (founded 1451), Wiang Kum Kam, Wat U-Mong, and Wat Suan Dok (14th century).

The main attraction is Wat Doi Suthep, located outside the city on a mountain with the same name. According to legend, a monk from Sukhothai had a dream that told him to find an ancient Buddhist relic. He found the relic and brought it to King Nu Naone. The relic was split into two pieces The smaller piece went to a temple in Suandok. The other piece, and this is the important part of the legend, was placed on the back of a white elephant and released into the jungle. Supposedly, the elephant climbed up Doi Suthep, trumpeted three times, and then died. His death was supposed to be a sign that a temple was to built on this site. The temple is integrity designed with two large Naga snake guarding the long walk up the staircase to the temple. The temple has many Buddhist reliefs and, of course, a statue of a white elephant. Moreover, you get stunning views of the city:

But you don’t come to Chiang Mai just to see temples. They’re just a bonus. You really come here because of all the activities you can do. Not only is Chiang Mai a major jumping off point for the more rugged northern cities like Pai and Chang Rai, but a starting point for numerous jungle treks. Though tours can be more rustic and less touristy if you leave from places like Chiang Rai, most people leave from here and there are plenty of tours to choose from. You can sign up for one, two, three, or five day jungle treks. The longer you go, the further into the jungle you get and less like a Disney attraction the tour seems. The one day ones are very rushed and pretty generic. You need a minimum of two days. Spending a night in the jungle is a great way to escape civilization and star up at an infinite number of stars and watch as many shoot on by. No matter how many days you go though, will have you trekking through the jungle, white water rafting, and visiting a hill tribe.

Another reason to go to Chang Mai is the night market. This market is famous around the world and people come to buy cheap goods. The outdoor night market covers several city blocks. You can buy anything and everything here for much cheaper price than you can in Bangkok. Clothes are especially cheap as they are usually made in the surrounding area. Buyers and sellers haggle over prices through calculators. It’s interesting watching two people conduct a transaction without speaking a word- just pointing, and typing in prices. Getting the cheapest price takes patience, persistence, and the ability to walk away. The bargains are there though and it’s the best place to get your goods in Thailand. I’m not a shopper but I can never walk away from there without something in hand.

Chiang Mai also draws people with its cooking classes and massage classes. Chiang Mai has plenty to offer any traveler and a few days here can keep you busier than anywhere else in the country. I’ve been three times and I still find new things to do when I am there. I never feel bored. It’s not the quite jungle place it used to be but it is still a good spot from which to explore the Thai north or get some serious shopping in.

The Saturday City: Stratford Upon Avon

August 2, 2008

The birthplace of the bard, Stratford Upon Avon is a mecca for Shakespeare enthusiasts. Tourists descend on this place in hordes during the summer months and everywhere I went there were lots and lots of people.

The city doesn’t have much to offer besides its Shakespearean past. Outside the historic area, it’s just another English city. However, inside the center, it’s another story. They’ve gone out their way to preserve and capitalize on the bard and the city’s historic past. There’s numerous sites dedicated to the playwright- you can see his home, birthplace, theater, and final resting place. The Royal Shakespeare Company puts on numerous plays from the spring until the fall. This year they are doing Hamlet, The Taming of the Shrew, Midsummer’s Night Dream, and The Merchant of Venice. Hamlet was showing the day I went but was sold out. The large theater they normally perform in is closed for renovation until 2009 but they are performing at the smaller Courtyard Theater down the street. Outside of town, you can see Anne Hathaway’s cottage, birthplace of the bard’s wife.

A good walking tour begins at the information center and meanders down by the street along the Avon river. There you pass both Shakespeare theaters and a few nice houses before coming upon William Shakespeare’s burial site at Trinity Church. Also on that street is the Shakespearience, a museum that uses holograms to tell the bard’s history. Trinity church, where he is buried in, has well worn graves dating back many centuries in the surrounding courtyard and it’s quite interesting to walk around and try to decipher the dates. The church itself is pretty basic and not that spectacular.

From there, you can turn around and walk up towards Hall’s Croft (his daughter’s house) and see the remembrance garden dedicated to soldiers from World War Two. From there, it’s a slight turn left and then a straight shot past a museum, his house, the town center, and then finally his birthplace. It’s a great way to see the Shakespeare’s life in reverse order or you can walk it from his birth to death. The walk will take you through all the major tourists sites, the town center, and around a few streets by the church that are a bit out of the way from all the tourists. In fact, Stratford was pretty nice and relaxing when you got away from the chaos of the town center. You could just walk slowly and stare at all the homes without dodging crowds and cars.

Stratford center, despite the bustle, was surprisingly well preserved. All around were buildings dating back to Tudor times and walking around it was easy to imagine the bard and his fellow country men walking through the streets. High Street was the real highlight of the city for me. This street has house after house in the Tudor style, many dating as far back as to Henry VIII’s time. Peering in you can still see the original woodwork with it’s low ceilings. For this history geek, it was fascinating.

Stratford is just a regular city but around the center and in the nearby streets is history and lots of it. For any Shakespeare lover, Stratford is a must on your trip to England. However, if you want to see a show, make sure you book early as tickets are usually sold out and getting a ticket the day of requires lots of luck. My only real wish for the city would be that they turned the center into a pedestrian only zone- not having to dodge cars while taking photos would have been nice. However, if you don’t like William Shakespeare, then the city isn’t worth going to and there are far nicer places in England to spend your time.

The Saturday City: Prague

July 26, 2008

Prague (Praha) has been the center of the Czech state for over 1100 years. It has a population of over one million and is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is among the most visited cities on the continent. Since 1992, the historic center of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. My trip there in 2006 was the first stop on my continental Europe tour and I couldn’t picture a more beautiful city to start in. I love Prague so much that I extended my trip there. I couldn’t get enough of it. It’s beautiful, it’s historic, and it’s cheap.

Prague was founded in the late 9th century and became the center of Bohemian kings, some of whom ruled the Holy Roman Empire. The city thrived under the rule of Charles IV, who ordered the building of some of the areas that draw the most tourists today. Over the centuries, it became a major center for European Jewry, artists, and performers. After World War I, the city became the capital of Czechoslovakia and, in 1993, Czechoslovakia split into two countries and Prague became capital city of the Czech Republic.

Prague’s compact medieval center remains a wonderful mixture of cobbled lanes, courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires in the shadow of her majestic 9th century castle. The city center was amazing. The Jewish Quarter, one of the oldest parts of the city, is an amazing area that opens up a window into the city’s Jewish history. Prague had one of the biggest Jewish communities in the world before the Nazis. Temples and graveyards here date back to the 12th century. Going here will give you a good history of European Jewry.

The Old Town square contains many historic churches, the astronomical clock, and a town center filled with cafes, tourist shops, and the occasional football (soccer) game. Cross the historic bridges, where artists still line the bridges selling their wares. I found amazing paintings and works of art on the famous Charles Bridge that I had not been traveling, would have scooped up for my own. There are beautiful pieces on these bridges from talented artists. Once you cross the river, you can walk to Prague Castle. I thought the name was a bit of a misnomer as it was more a fort and church than a classical castle. Nonetheless, it provides excellent views of the city and is filled with amazing architecture. Afterwards, head and see St. Vitus Cathedral, an amazing Baroque style church.

Prague has become the most popular travel destinations in Central Europe and millions of tourists visit the city every year. Though not as cheap as it used to be, the city is still amazingly cheap by western standards. Beers cost a dollar, hostels cost 10 dollars a night, and food only a few dollars. Like anywhere, you can drop your bank account if you want but I managed to want for nothing and still only spend 20-25 dollars a day. With so many cheap flights around Europe, this city sees alot of weekend warriors who come in on Friday and leave on Monday. British males come especially for stag parties and wild weekends where they can get a lot of beer for their pound. The city has a definite party atmosphere but it is easy to avoid that and just bask in the city’s historic and artistic past.

Prague is a can’t miss stop for any tour through Europe. There is something for everyone here and it’s just stupidly beautiful that it overloads your senses. Everywhere you go, you feel like you are walking in the 15th century. Prague is a city where my camera went into overtime. Go book your flight now.

The Saturday City: Hoi An

July 12, 2008

Hoi An is located in central Vietnam and is the center of Vietnam’s clothing industry, at least for tourists. Hoi An was a major international port in the 16th and 17th centuries and a major center for Chinese and Japanese immigration. Many of these ancient structures are preserved and the heart of the city is still the Old Town, full of winding lanes and Chinese-styled shop houses. A river flows between the town, cutting the old section (and the tourist section) off from the main residential area.

The city has managed to preserve much of its historic buildings and the rapid development you see in other parts of Vietnam has seemingly skipped this area. The city’s economy relies heavily on tourism and clothing. Tourists (including me) come to this city for three reasons: food, clothing, and the Old Town.

Hoi An is known for its food. I’m probably the only person who went to Vietnam and did not like the food. Throughout the country, I was just not impressed with what I ate. However, I did like the food in Hoi An. I loved the Cau Lau, a dish similar to Pho but not as slippery. There’s pork, noodles, spices, and fresh herbs and veggies but the taste and texture was much better. Real Cau Lau is only found in Hoi An as it isn’t considered authentic if the water used isn’t from a well in town. The White Rose, a shrimp dish, is also good as is the fried wontons. Here’s a tip though: Eat across the river! Most of the tourists stick to the restaurants in the Old Town or close by but if you cross the river into the more residential area, the owners practically chase you down for your business. Prices here are half of what they are in the Old Town and you avoid the mass of tourists squawking away during dinner.

Clothing is probably the biggest draw in Hoi An. In a country known for cheap clothing, Hoi An is known to be in a league of its own. Everything can be made here and made cheap. Stores all over the city sell t-shirts and jeans for a few dollars and the town’s central warehouse will make anything you want. Flip through magazines and just point and the next day it is yours. Want a new pair of Nikes? You can make those too.

The quality is also really good. Most international clothing makers have their stuff made in Vietnam so the craftsmanship and quality is the same. Half the material is probably lifted from the Versace or Nike factory anyway! Suits can cost as little as 30 dollars and a whole wardrobe can be purchased for less than a hundred. It’s such big business here that the Vietnamese postal service has a special office dedicated to just shipping packages overseas.

Lastly, there is the beautiful Old Town. This section of town has been preserved by strict zoning laws, something I found very unusual in a country that seemed ready to develop anything. The old town is a collection of historic Chinese and Japanese residential buildings and temples. You can visit all the temples and a number of houses. I showed up at one house and the old owner showed me around and gave me tea. He didn’t charge me anything either. To this day, I still don’t think he fully understand while I was there. I enjoyed the Japanese temple and the Japanese bridge the most out of all the temples. However, the best part of the day is ending it with a twelve cent beer watching the sunset over the river. Many cafes line the riverway and, during sunset, fill up as people enjoy the last remnants of the day.

Overall, there isn’t a lot to do in Hoi An. Without a good book or a desire to shop, you’ll find yourself itching for some excitement but the beauty of Hoi An is that is a oasis of calm in a country that can sometimes be overwhelming. I liked some parts of Vietnam but Hoi An is the only part I really loved.

To see more photos from Hoi An (and my excursion to My Son), head to my Hoi An Gallery.

The Saturday City: Broome

July 5, 2008

Broome is located in the northern part of Western Australia. It’s a small, sleepy little seaside town with not much to do except lounge around in the sun. The heat and humidity can get unbearable and the phrase “broometime” is often used to describe the city’s sluggish pace.

The city was founded in 1880s as a pearling town and named after the territory’s governor. The pearling industry thrived here on the backs of exploited Japanese workers and the 900 graves in the Japanese cemetry is a testament to that. Today, the pearl industry has moved onto pearl farming and all around the city huge pearl farms spread out. If you are so inclined, you can take a tour around a few of them.

Today, the area’s mining boom has created an influx of people into the city. However, the city survives mostly tourism and relies heavily on the dry season surge. During the dry season, the population of 14,000 swells to 30,000. The city is filled with foreign tourists and Aussies who have come to relax in the amazing weather. The tiny town center is filled with shops and restaurants (not much else) that cater to everyone’s tourist needs. There are a few good restaurants around and an outdoor movie theater. However, overall I thought the town center was a little too geared towards taking my money and lacked any real character. (Buy pearls! Buy shirts!! Buy!! Buy!! Buy!!)

The highlight of the town is Cable Beach.  The beach is named after the undersea cable from Singapore that made landfall there. Cable Beach is 14 miles of white sand goodness. Tides of over 9 meters wipe the sand clean everyday and it’s so big you’ll never find it crowded. There’s some ancient dinosaur tracks at one end of the beach and the waves are pretty good for surfing.  Another reason to stay all day- the beach faces due west so the sunsets are superb.  Sitting out on the wide beach watching the sun dance downward is a great way to finish off your day.  Many companies offer sunset camel rides along the beach. I believe wine is included too. During the wet season, you need to watch out for the jellyfish. They’re deadly! Keep an eye out of posted warnings.

Besides Cable beach, a major tourist draw is the Staircase to the Moon.  During the dry months (and only the dry months) the rising full moon creates an optical illusion of a staircase as the light reflects off the mudflats in Roebuck Bay. It’s a pretty cool sight to see and people from all over flock to Broome for this dry season event. There’s even a special market set up for this event.

Broome is close to the Kimberlys. Kimberly is the name for this region in Australia. It’s filled with national parks, a desert, gorges, waterfalls and typifies the Australian outback. It is best known for its gorges, which are best viewed after the wet season ends. This is when the roads are passable again and the streams and waterfalls are still swelled from the wet rain. The area is only “open” during the dry season as the roads and area become impassable during the wet season.  During the wet, you can take helicopter tours but they are grossly expensive.

Overall, Broome is a sleepy little town that caters a lot to tourism. In the dry, the town can get a little too busy. Accommodation and tours needs to be booked far in advance and restaurants are always full. It’s much better during the wet.  (However, there’s not much to do during the wet other than sit on a beach.) Broome’s location makes it a great spot for a relaxing beach holiday and, if you’re there during the dry season, a trip to the Kimberlys.

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I’m all over the web lately. I had a guest blog on Almost Fearless a few days ago.  I’ve also had a guest blog on Blissful Travel.

Additionally, I just began blogging for Hotelclub, an Australian hotel booking site.  I’ll be writing two to three blogs a week for them.  My first blog was about the best beaches in Australia and my second one was about low cost buses in America. 

Go over and take a look at the blogs. Read them, comment on them, and, if you belong to any social networking sites, stumble or digg or add it to del.ic.ious! All of those blogs have great information and will give you places to dream about so you’ll be inspired to take another trip and explore the world!

The Saturday City: Hanoi

June 28, 2008

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is located in the north of the country.  Crowded (pop. 6,00,000+), a little polluted, and slightly run down, it nonetheless is very quaint.  Though I did not like Vietnam, I did like Hanoi. A lot. I thought it had a certain charm and I enjoyed my week there.

Time, and poor rebuilding, have worn down the city.  All over the city, old french colonial homes lay crumbling as modern building  spring up around, slowly bringing the city in the modern age. The city’s old quarter, located right by Hoan Kiem lake, is a fine example of French Colonial architecture, even if it is slightly run down. I imagine this is what New Orleans would look like if it was left to decay. Nonetheless, walking here is like walking through time and, though run down, it is still beautiful.

This part of the city is a great place to wander. Navigate tiny streets and outdoor markets as people crush you from all sides. Hanoi is very busy and this quarter is even busier- flooded with bikes, buses, markets, and tourists. Buses cram down streets I didn’t think even motorbikes could get through!!! A bus of mine went down one the wrong way and I was sure we were done for- but he made it! Crossing the street is a fine art as motorbikes and cars don’t stop for you. It’s like playing the old game frogger! These densely packed streets have a lot of charm as the old battles the new for dominance.

This area of the city is also a great place to sit and drink Bia Hoi, cheap Vietnamese beer. All around the country little stalls sell beer by the glass for as little as 2,000 dong (about 15 cents). Hanoi is a great place to pull up a little plastic stool, sit down, chat with the locals, and watch all the craziness go buy. At 15 cents a beer, you can’t go wrong!

Centered here is also the famous Hoan Kiem Lake.  Hoan Kiem Lake is said to be the home great giant turtles. Legend has it that King Le Loi was given a magical sword by the gods, which he used to drive out the invading Chinese Ming Dynasty.  Later, while boating on the lake, he encountered a giant turtle, who grabbed the sword and carried it down to the depths, returning it to the gods.  Large turtles are said to still roam the lake, though increased pollution has made it unlikely that they will survive much longer.  You can see a mummified turtle on the Jade Island in the north part of the lake.  The turtles are revered by the Vietnamese and this legend/battle is a source of huge pride for all of Vietnam. Turtle sighting in the lake still send the locals into a fervor!

Outside the old quarter, a modern city sprawls out, intermingled with ancient colonial homes.  There’s a lot to do in Hanoi. For those interested in history, there’s the Temple of Literature. Built in 1070, this was the country’s first university. The huge complex is lined with stone tablets listing all the graduates of the university. There’s a lot of buildings and a few little ponds.

For those interested in war history, there’s lots to see from the American Vietnam War as well as the French Vietnam War. There’s the Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution, the Army Museum, B-52 Lake, as well as the infamous Hanoi Hilton (whose most famous prisoner, John McCain, is now running for president.)

Looking for something more morbid? Well, look no further. Visitors can take a tour to see the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh himself. Despite wanting his body cremated (as to not waste agricultural land), his country men mummified him and put him on display. It’s a creepy sight and he looks very “plastic.” No cameras are allowed in and soldiers stand guard to make sure you do not speak either.  Needless to say, I was a little creeped out. Make sure you time your visit right though- Ho Chi Minh spends few months out of the year in Moscow getting “worked” on.

For those interested in him, you can his old presidential palace as well as a museum dedicated to his life. The museum isn’t that great. In fact, I found all the museums in the country to be very poorly done and skip a lot of historical details.  The museum is more a propaganda tool designed to show how Ho Chi Minh lead a revolution against those imperialist pigs and not so much a chronology of his life.  I found that to be the most disappointing as I was really looking forward to learning about his life. I left that museum learning a little but missing a lot.

For those who find the hustle and bustle of Hanoi too much to handle, there are many trips outside the city you can take.  You can head out to the World Heritage site, Halong Bay and sail through limestone krysts (Be careful! Some tour operators can be shady so do your research!). Or head west to Sapa, one of the most beautiful regions of the world and home to many hill tribes. Sapa was really beautiful. In fact, Vietnam’s natural beauty was the highlight of my time there.

Hanoi is a great city. There’s plenty of other cities I enjoy more but Hanoi is charming.

The Saturday City: New York City

June 21, 2008

The Big Apple. Gotham. Metropolis. The city that never sleeps. New York goes by many names but as a Shakespeare said, a rose by any other name is a still a rose. New York is New York. Nothing can truly describe it. Home to global finance, art, theater, the mafia, and some of the world’s best food, New York is a cosmopolitan city from the upper west side all the way to the Bronx. Ethnic enclaves provide endless opportunities to explore the world without leaving the city. From little Italy to Chinatown to the Korean district to the Bronx, it seems all the cultures of the world are represented here. Navigating its streets, one can slip in and out of these neighborhoods by simply crossing a street. Like The Eagles said, “In a New York minute, everything can change.”

Settled by the Dutch in 1613 the city was originally called New Amsterdam. In a quirk of history, the natives were duped into selling what is now one of the world’s prime real estate markets for 24 dollars worth of glass beads. The city played an important role in trade with its natural harbor and defenses. However, it was neglected by the Dutch who never saw its full potential and were preoccupied the Far East, slaves, and tea. The English saw how great this place was and, after a series of battles and negations, the British Empire gained control in 1674 and renamed it New York City after the Duke of York.

Over the years, as the colonies grew and trade and shipping became more important, New York City grew. With waves of immigration during the 19th and early 20th century, New York grew in size and scale. Now it’s one of the foremost cities in the world. Maybe it was always meant to be the cosmopolitan center it is now. Maybe history had a destiny for this island. Whether it was its geography or its populace or luck, I think if the Dutch new what it was going to become, they might not have given New York up so easily.

With over 8 million people covering 468 square miles, there is a lot to do in New York. I am currently in New York to visit friends. I’ve been to the city many times before- when I was a kid with my family, when I was a college student to visit friends (I wondered about Y2K as the ball dropped in Times Square bringing in the millennium), and with girlfriends. Yet no matter how many times I come, there is always some thing new to do. So in today’s Saturday edition, here’s my list of just some of the things you must do in the Big Apple.

1. Explore its past. New York has been around for about 400 years. There is a lot of history here. Explore historic churches like Trinity Church and ancient graveyards (You can see Alexander Hamilton’s burial site here). Explore the old tenement houses. See historic homes.

2. Eat. Little Italy. Chinatown. The Meatpacking district. Soho. Every place in the city has a million places to eat. From great Hispanic food across the way in the Bronx and Brooklyn to high class restaurants like NOBU in Manhattan. Enjoy great Jewish food at the delis. Nothing beats eating a cornbeef sandwich at the Carnegie Deli. Whatever you do, wherever go you, you’ll find a great place to eat. Expect to gain a few pounds.

3. Take in the theater. Broadway is famous around the world and any trip to the city without taking in a show would be heresy! Shows are sometimes sold out far in advance but there are last minute tickets available at the ticket booth in Times Square. Head there in the morning to find out what’s available for that day. You might even get lucky and find tickets to one of the hot new shows around.

4. Spend a day in central park. Wander through the trail, lie out in the fields, and row around the lake- just relax and watch all the locals and tourists roll by enjoying their day. New York is a crazy city and with its constant flow, it can be a storm that endlessly swells around you. The park is the eye in this storm- a bastion of calm amid the chaos. It provides a great escape and a little dose of nature.

5. See the world, or at least its representatives. With the headquarters of the United Nations located in the New York City, it’s a great opportunity to go and learn about the organization, its role in the world, and member states. Maybe you’ll even see an ambassador or three.

6. Museum Hop. The Met. The Guggenheim. The Natural History Museum. There are more museums in New York than you can fit into a day or even a week. That’s not including all the little galleries that dot around the city either. Plan your attack carefully to maximize your time at the bigger museums.

7. Enjoy the Zoo. The Bronx Zoo is world famous with animals from all over the world.

8. Experience the immigrant journey. Head out into harbor to glimpse at lady liberty and learn about the immigrant experience at Ellis Island. This where they came and were processed as they entered the country. If you look close enough, you might even spot my family’s name on the wall!

9. Look down! Head up to the Empire State Building for a bird’s eye view of the Big Apple. It’s a must for all visitors!

The Saturday City: Rome

June 7, 2008

Ahhh Rome. The cradle of the west. The center of power for centuries. Birthplace of Caesar. Home to Catholic Church. A city steeped in three thousand years of history. All around the world, everyone knows Rome. Saying the name conjures up images of the old, the new, religion, food, romance, and Tom Hanks trying to crack the Da Vinci code.

I was excited to go to Rome. My visit was supposed to be three days but turned into a solid week. I feel in love with Rome. It was easy to see why everyone loves the city. Despite all the tourists and tour groups that roam the city, the ungodly crowds, and the congestion, nothing could take away from the beauty of Rome. Rome is Rome…it doesn’t need to be anything else. The name alone conveys everything.

Nothing I could write about Rome could do it justice. It’s beauty and elegance has been described by far better writers and poets than I ever could. So rather than talk about the beauty of Rome, I’m going to show it to you.

A Walking Tour of Rome

I started downtown where most of the ruins were located. There you can explore the ancient ruins built by Julius and Augustus Caesar as they expanded the Roman empire..

Cross the street and wander through the ancient Roman Forum, the seat of Roman power. There are a ton of ruins there and sitting down amongst them was a humbling experience. Someone thousands of years ago sat in this exact spot watching Senators and Caesars go past.

and then head to Palatine hill, where the kings, caesars, and aristocrats of Rome lived…

Then cross the street and gaze at the Colosseum. It was an unbelievable site to behold. Massive and beautiful.

Head west, through the Circus Maximus, and across the river Tiber. There you can wander through Trastevere, a local area that sees few tourists. It was my favorite section of the city, small cobble lined streets, tiny squares, great restaurants, and few tourists.

From there head north to the Vatican, the center of the Catholic Church. There you can check out the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the tomb of the popes.

From there head back east, across the river, for more exploration.

Walk through the Piazza Navarro and to the Spanish steps, for some good relaxation and people watching…

Continue south, past the Parthenon, to Trevi Fountain. Make your way through the crowds and follow tradition by turning around and throwing a coin in for good luck.

Then finish at this monument, built in the Roman style, to honor Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of a united Italy. It’s big and gaudy but it’s still beautiful.

Rome is an amazing city. It wasn’t built in a day and there’s more to do there than my little blog post can handle (Heck, they have whole guidebooks on the city!). There’s more to do there than you can fit in during your trip. It would take years to see the whole city…but I’m to the challenge, are you?

Related Posts:
Matt’s Italy photos

The Saturday City: Caye Caulker

May 31, 2008

OK, so it’s more of an island than a city but it’s still worth talking about. It’s a hammock lovers paradise. Set off the coast of Belize, Caye Caulker is paradise. It’s small, it’s beautiful, it’s youthful. Everyone here is friendly and no one moves quickly. There’s no cars only little golf carts and the island’s motto is “Go Slow.” The tempo willl have you running on island time before you know it.

Years ago, the island was a lot bigger but a hurricane ripped through it, splitting it in two, and destroying a lot of the dock area. The island has rebuilt itself and is still one of the major destinations for travelers to Belize.

However, the disaster created the island’s best feature- The Split. The Split is a deep trench that provides excellent snorkeling right off the island. You can jump right in and see stingrays, sharks, and a huge variety of fish. It’s better than any tour you’ll pay for.

The Split is also where all the action his. Though the island has a great eastward facing beach, everyone walks down to the split. There’s a small beach there and the old dock provides an excellent place to sprawl your towel out. The young and the pale come out here to sun and snorkel all day, with a bar serving ice cold drinks and music.

The main street is lined with fabulous seafood restaurants ranging from budget to very posh. A few of the houses around the island turn themselves into little barbeque’s, with Wish Willy’s the most famous. Set out right in front of his house (though I think he has since moved), this place is a Caye Caulker landmark serving amazing food delivered by a cool Rasta chef. There’s no menu- they serve whatever they have that day but you can’t go wrong with whatever you get and a free drink is included. For a more expensive meal, head to Don Corleone’s for some pretty good Italian food.

This is a young spirited island and a good portion of the tourists are young, party minded folk. You’ll see them all night long partying at the local bars and the incredibly sketchy but amazingly fun after hours club. Usually the locals out number the tourists but it’s a great chance to interact them and they are all pretty friendly.

With great beaches, atmosphere, a kicking nightlife, great seafood, and The Split, no trip to Belize is complete without a visit there. A lot of people head to the more upscale Ambergris Caye but Caye Caulker is the better pick of the two. Despite having traveled to dozens of islands, this place remains one of my favorite destinations.

You can see my photos from Belize here:
Matt’s Belize photos.

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