Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Five ways Wal-mart in China is way different (and way more intense) than at home]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/20/five-reasons-why-wal-mart-in-china-is-even-worse-than-at-home/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/20/five-reasons-why-wal-mart-in-china-is-even-worse-than-at-home/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/20/five-reasons-why-wal-mart-in-china-is-even-worse-than-at-home/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Faced with errands for unrelated items - body lotion, slippers, yogurt - I decided that today I needed some one-stop shopping. Visiting individual shops and bargaining down the price of each item would take me an afternoon.

So where do you head for one-stop shopping in Kunming, China? Wal-mart, of course.

The "supercenter" was pointed out to me earlier in the week by a local who, when I asked him about a sign reading "Kundu Night Market," told me that the Wal-mart was the new market, and that Kundu was now just bars and discos. "But watch out for pickpockets at Wal-mart," he added.

I didn't feel good about it (though I joked to myself about "shopping locally" -- hey, everything was made in China, right?), but I knew I couldn't handle running around town in the cold, bargaining for a bottle of inexpensive lotion and pair of $1.25 slippers.

What ensued was an overstimulating experience that was probably far worse than bargaining away a chilly afternoon. Following are five observations I made on the differences between Wal-mart in China and the U.S., though I'm sure there are many more.

Continue reading Five ways Wal-mart in China is way different (and way more intense) than at home

Five ways Wal-mart in China is way different (and way more intense) than at home originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>KunmingwalmartFri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost? Phone a friend (or get an iPhone)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/lost-phone-a-friend-or-get-an-iphone/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/lost-phone-a-friend-or-get-an-iphone/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/19/lost-phone-a-friend-or-get-an-iphone/#commentsFiled under: ,

I'm new in town. There are no mountains to establish my location. Roads don't follow a tidy grid. Pedestrian and motorbike thoroughfares duck under highway overpasses, with nearly a dozen outlets - or so it seems.
So, walking back to my hostel one night I got lost.

Since it was late I jumped into a cab, thinking I could let the driver know when and where to turn. That was a good idea, until it became very clear that I was clueless. Not only could I not pronounce the street my hostel was on, I had no idea how to get to it. After backtracking until we were back where we started, I paid the apologetic cabbie and started walking again, testing each pedestrian outlet in the underpass until they all began to look the same.
While we've probably all experienced being lost in a foreign city, I had walked this particular route a half dozen times already and gotten lost in the underpass just as many times.

After my tenth surfacing and multiple attempts to "ask the audience," I decided to use my "phone a friend" option. I called mostly because I was frustrated and a little freaked out at this point, map-less and language-less, and wandering around in the dark of an unfamiliar city.

Phoning my friend advanced me to the next level, however. I knew the name of the street I came from as well as my hostel. My friend looked it all up, and with a little Google map action, was able to talk me home.
"Turn west at Xichang," he would say.

"If I'm walking 'down' on the map, is that left or right on Xichang?" I would respond.

If I ever had doubt that there is an iPhone-shaped hole in my life, this experience overpowered it. Until I can afford one, however, at least I know that friends are standing by with laptops and Google maps -- and it doesn't matter where in the world they are.

Lost? Phone a friend (or get an iPhone) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>KunmingThu, 19 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Burping and slurping: All the stuff you can do in China that you can't do back home]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/13/burping-and-slurping-all-the-stuff-you-can-do-in-china-that-you/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/13/burping-and-slurping-all-the-stuff-you-can-do-in-china-that-you/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/13/burping-and-slurping-all-the-stuff-you-can-do-in-china-that-you/#commentsFiled under: ,

It doesn't take long for me to adjust to the manners of China - the spitting, the ear-cleaning, the belching. While some folks are aghast at the bodily -function decibels reached (and indeed, the Chinese government is trying to curb some of the habits, with a campaign -- in Shanghai, at least -- encouraging citizens to "be more civilized"), I view the experience as complete and utter freedom.

Gone is the pretense that I'm not actually stuffing my face. Gone is pretending that I'm just itching my nose. I can't belch really loud, but I can try. I'm a total spitter, which drives my friends crazy, but here I fit right in!

The biggest issue with some of these habits is that they're not very sanitary, which is why I carry hand sanitizer around with me. And true, I do get grossed out whenever I come across a huge glob of phlegm on the sidewalk, which is pretty much every other step. And I still am surprised when a tiny old lady lets out a huge, liquid belch.

But oh the freedom and joy of being able to let loose from the constraints of my culture - and without doing it the usual American way of getting totally wasted. There are limitations, though. A sign in my hostel informs guests that "anyone who defecates in the shower will be fined 100 yuan and kicked out immediately!"

I guess I'm not totally free....

Burping and slurping: All the stuff you can do in China that you can't do back home originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ShanghaiFri, 13 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Forty-two hours on a train in China]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/12/forty-two-hours-on-a-train-in-china/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/12/forty-two-hours-on-a-train-in-china/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/12/forty-two-hours-on-a-train-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Amtrak it ain't.

On a budget, with time to spare and feeling guilty about my carbon footprint, I decided to brave the train from Shanghai to Kunming. A soft-sleeper (equivalent to first class) wasn't any less expensive than the plane, so I opted for the hard sleeper class - three bunks to a wall, two walls to a "nook." It was definitely an adventure: following is a rundown of the 42 hours it took to get to Kunming....

4 p.m. Almost as soon as I take my pack off in Shanghai's southern train station's "waiting lounge," people start rushing out the door; I follow. I find my bunk and set about securing a spot on a shelf for my pack. I nod hello to the five other passengers sharing my area. Across from the beds are two seats that fold down from the wall; the only real place to sit are on these and the bottom bunks, since the middle and upper berths don't have enough headroom. There are no other Westerners and no one around me speaks English.

6 p.m. I watch the Shanghai outer limits roll by. At first I thought the window was tinted gray, so dark was the sky. It was lightly raining and the pollution left the air hazy. Along the tracks stretched rows and rows of vegetable patches with all kinds of greens. At first I couldn't understand why the patches were rectangles instead of squares, like on American farms, until I realized that these were developed on a scale designed for human labor, not machinery.

7 p.m. There doesn't seem to be any bottled water for sale on board. Boiling water is readily available, and passengers all have plastic containers that they fill and let chill. I only have one small disposable bottle, and am getting thirsty. I eat a protein bar left over from my flights and a cup of instant noodles. People are smoking, but in between cars so it's not too bad. Also, the cell phone noise and pop music seem mild compared to what I've expected.

8 p.m. I brave the squat toilet, and climb into bed. The bunks are narrow, with guard rails, so it's impossible to curl up. There's a tiny hook where I hang my glasses, headlamp, and, much later, ear plugs. The fluorescent lighting is garish and I throw my sweatshirt over my eyes. The youth in the next nook over are having a party, or so it sounds. I fall asleep to my iPod playing Elvis Perkins.

Continue reading Forty-two hours on a train in China

Forty-two hours on a train in China originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>china hard sleeper trainChinaHardSleeperTrainKunmingShanghaiYunnanThu, 12 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Two oddball tips for making a long-haul flight more comfortable]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/10/two-oddball-tips-for-making-a-long-haul-flight-more-comfortable/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/10/two-oddball-tips-for-making-a-long-haul-flight-more-comfortable/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/10/two-oddball-tips-for-making-a-long-haul-flight-more-comfortable/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I'm schooled in squirming and shifting, shoving my toes in-between the seats in front of me, and generally attempting insane yoga positions in order to get some shut-eye on an overseas flight. As such, I've discovered two techniques that have helped ease my international plane travel pain.

1. Use a water bottle as a foot rest. I know it sounds strange, but it really works! A 2-liter bottle gives your feet some elevation and is easy to maneuver, but even the smallest 16-oz bottle will massage your feet and offer some comfort. I discovered this technique by accident on a flight that didn't have footrests.

2. Stick a pillow under your chin when you sleep. Yes, it is odd, but I'm a stereotypical head loll-er, and my neck is too tight to do the sideways thing. I stuff a pillow under my chin (occasionally folding it in half), and my head and neck get great support while allowing me to breathe comfortably. Plus, it keeps my mouth from flopping open. Try it!

On a side note, I recommend you try to get two pillows, if possible. One goes against your lower back; I always have a pillow there. If I can only score one pillow, I stuff a sweatshirt under my chin.

Happy travels.

Two oddball tips for making a long-haul flight more comfortable originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>international flightsInternationalFlightstipsTue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alaska national parks: choose your own adventure]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/09/alaska-national-parks-choose-your-own-adventure/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/09/alaska-national-parks-choose-your-own-adventure/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/09/alaska-national-parks-choose-your-own-adventure/#commentsFiled under: ,

You've probably heard of Denali National Park, home to the tallest mountain in North America. And if you've taken an Alaskan cruise you might have also visited Glacier Bay National Park. But a rental car and a willingness to venture off the tourist track will reward you with rich and wild experiences that many folks miss on a trip to Alaska.

Following are two lesser-known national parks that are a day's drive from Anchorage, but first, a fact: four of the five biggest national parks in the US are in Alaska, and seven out of ten. They are home to grizzlies, caribou, salmon, and eagles, among many, many others.

The biggest national park in the US, Wrangell-St. Elias, is accessible by car and about a six-hour drive from Anchorage. It's home to several 16,000ft-plus mountains, as well as well as the second-highest peak in the US, Mount St. Elias, which measures in at just over 18,000 feet. Once there, you can visit the historic Kennecott Mine, and drive the road to McCarthy.

Continue reading Alaska national parks: choose your own adventure

Alaska national parks: choose your own adventure originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AnchorageDenalidriving the road to McCarthyDrivingTheRoadToMccarthyExit GlacierExitGlacierGlacier Bay National ParkGlacierBayNationalParkHarding Ice FieldHardingIceFieldKenai Fjords national parkKenaiFjordsNationalParkKennecott MineKennecottMineMt McKinelyMtMckinelyNational parksNationalParksWrangell St.-Elias National ParkWrangellSt.-eliasNationalParkMon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why we love Shanghai dumplings]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/08/dumplings-in-shanghai/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/08/dumplings-in-shanghai/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/08/dumplings-in-shanghai/#commentsFiled under: ,

Gary Soup, FlickrI thought I would never move beyond curry as my favorite Asian food, but within 24 hours of arriving in China, a dumpling local to the Yangtze river delta is giving my complex curries quite a run.

My friend took me to a small corner "restaurant," a typical Chinese joint with a few tables and bright fluorescent lights. Baskets of skewered vegetables, tofu and meatballs were stacked against a wall; I picked out several and handed my basketful to a woman who dumped it in a broth to cook. While we waited for our soup, a bamboo steamer arrived, and my friend explained to me how to eat the Shanghai dumplings inside.

"They're filled with hot soup, so be careful not to spill it in your lap," he said. He instructed me to bite a small piece of the purse-like dumpling, and then suck the scalding, oily broth out. After I slurped out the broth (the most difficult part was reigning in the dumpling with my chopsticks -- I'm still a little rusty). I dipped the dumpling in vinegar ("It's good for you!" explained my friend), and popped the whole pocket in my mouth. What followed was a mouthful of savory, meaty and doughy goodness, a pork soup explosion in my mouth.

These particular dumplings are copied all over China, but are best in Shanghai. Residents are so proud of them, in fact, that my friend figures that the worst insult you could ever give a Shanghai citizen would be "screw your mother's dumplings."

Photo: Gary Soup, Flickr

Why we love Shanghai dumplings originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dumplingsShanghaiSun, 08 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five reasons why I love Korea's Incheon International Airport]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/05/five-reasons-why-i-love-koreas-incheon-international-airport/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/05/five-reasons-why-i-love-koreas-incheon-international-airport/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/05/five-reasons-why-i-love-koreas-incheon-international-airport/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This long layover is my third at Incheon International Airport, and I couldn't be happier about it. On my first trip, I emerged bleary-eyed after a 10-hour flight, desperate for a bathroom and bottle of water. Wandering through the sleek white halls, I spotted a sign with an arrow and the words "Rest and Relaxation." I followed the arrow upstairs to an area with a spa, internet cafe, transit hotel, and several dining options. I was a smitten kitten.

If you're passing through South Korea on your way to other parts of Asia, consider choosing a flight that passes through Incheon. It truly is a great airport, and here are five reasons why:

1. Rest and Relaxation areas. What more could you want on a layover? Leather cots and lounge chairs make sacking out pleasurable (I'm usually that hobo passed out on a sarong by my gate), and they're in a quiet area with no TV noise.

2. Free Internet. And not just free wi-fi, though there's that (I'm using it right now). There's actually an Internet cafe area, with about a half dozen desktops for folks to use - for free. A sign politely asks users to limit their usage to 30 minutes if there is a wait.

3. Self-cleaning toilets. Not only are the toilet seats in a constant state of pristine thanks to some rotating plastic covers, but there are shelves inside the stalls to put your purse and whatnot. I can't count the times I've entered a stall with no hook and had to either wear all my stuff while trying to hover over a dirty seat, or else place it on the equally nasty floor.

Continue reading Five reasons why I love Korea's Incheon International Airport

Five reasons why I love Korea's Incheon International Airport originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Incheon International AirportIncheonInternationalAirportlayoversSeoulThu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Top five winter-trip items you might not think to travel with]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/04/five-winter-trip-items-you-might-not-think-to-travel-with/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/04/five-winter-trip-items-you-might-not-think-to-travel-with/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/04/five-winter-trip-items-you-might-not-think-to-travel-with/#commentsFiled under: ,

Yesterday I posted on packing light for a cold trip - definitely something new for me since I live in Alaska and prefer escaping to warm climates. As I stuff my small backpack with fleecy bulk, a few items have come to light as being practical yet not necessarily things you would think of for when packing for cold. Here are the top five I've discovered:

1. A headlamp. Since, generally speaking, colder weather usually means winter, and winter usually means less daylight, a headlamp will come in handy more hours of the day than a summer trip. I keep mine in my purse whenever I travel.

2. A bandanna. A cotton kerchief isn't going to save your life in a blizzard, but it packs down small and will keep your ears warm. As someone who requires clip-on earmuffs year-round, I rely on the bandanna both for ear warmth and bed hair. Additionally, it can come in handy as toilet paper, tissue, and as a bandage.

3. A scarf. Sure, it makes sense in the city, but if you're a gear-head like me you might not think to use up pack space with a scarf. Think again. What's great about a simple black scarf is it can work multiple-duty as a wrap, headpiece, neck-warmer, pillow and outfit dresser-upper. Wrap it under your jacket or accessorize your dressy clothes with it -- or both.

4. A down sleeping bag. I want to emphasize down here: it is lighter and packs down much smaller than synthetics do, and is much warmer than that cotton or silk bag you use in hostels. If you're sleeping in huts (rather than a tent), you can probably get away with a tiny down bag, and it will also keep you toasty in chilly hostels. I have a 15-year-old North Face that is rated to 25 degrees Fahrenheit and takes up less room than my fleece hoodie.

5. Tights. Ladies, the 80s are back in style. You can now use footless tights as long underwear, running pants, pajamas, or simply under a skirt to stave off a chill. Gentlemen, you can use them for all of the above as well, if you so please. Pick out a synthetic pair to keep you warm(er) in wet weather.

Top five winter-trip items you might not think to travel with originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cold weatherColdWeatherNorth FaceNorthFacepacking lightPackingLightWed, 04 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Critical Mass Halloween in San Francisco]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/03/a-critical-mass-halloween-in-san-francisco/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/03/a-critical-mass-halloween-in-san-francisco/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/03/a-critical-mass-halloween-in-san-francisco/#commentsFiled under: ,

Though the Bay Bridge closure clearly reduced traffic in downtown San Francisco last Friday, bicycle activists congregated nevertheless. This Critical Mass ride, a group of protesters who gather on the last Friday of every month to "celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists' right to the road," was dressed up in their Halloween finest.

I stood in front of the ferry terminal for about an hour watching costumed cyclists rolling in from every direction. Hundreds of folks and their bikes -- many of which were also dressed up -- gathered at the Justin Herman Plaza at the Embarcadero. A few rode around shouting things like "bikes don't use gas!" but the mood was peaceful yet celebratory.

I took some photos to share -- there were way too many great costumes to capture but the following gallery is a small sampling of what was on display. Warning: there are a pair of booty cheeks in photo number 12.

Gallery: Critical Mass Halloween

Butterfly bikerMajor crowdsElvis Batman and bikeBiker and friend

A Critical Mass Halloween in San Francisco originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Critical MassCriticalMassHalloweenSan FranciscoSanFranciscoTue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Packing light for a cold trip]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/03/packing-light-for-a-cold-trip/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/03/packing-light-for-a-cold-trip/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/03/packing-light-for-a-cold-trip/#commentsFiled under: ,

I'm a proud packer, but until now my longer trips have either been in warm places, or to countries where I planned to be very stationary (and didn't care if I looked like a 20-something grungy backpacker, because that's what I was). Flimsy skirts and tank tops were the norm. My task this time around, however, is to maintain my packing pride while making sure I stay warm and manage to look somewhat professional.

I'm heading out for a three-month trip to China, where I probably won't wear my swimsuit or flip-flops one time. I'm going to use Kunming as my base, and that city is at 6000 feet elevation. I hope to do a some trekking while I'm there, so a bit of gear will be necessary.

First, I need to choose my luggage. Instead of my fabulous Eagle Creek Switchback, I'll cram my Marmot Diva 36L with all my stuff. It's not as convenient for travel, but it's a great pack for trekking. Next, I decided to bring my light down sleeping bag (rather than my thick synthetic bag, or nothing at all). It should be sufficient for sleeping in huts and will also be my bedding when I get an apartment.

Finally, the hard part: shoes and clothes. My running shoes will double as trekking shoes and, well, running shoes, while a pair of red Keen Mary Janes will fill in all the other shoe duties. Hopefully I won't have to get fancy. As for clothes, I'm bringing stuff I would normally never dream of packing: jeans, cords, long underwear. No light cotton pants and only one strappy tank top (a girl needs to go out every now and then). One fleece pullover, several long sleeve shirts and a few t-shirts. My packing pile is growing, but overflow will get discarded and my Eagle Creek packing cubes will tidy the rest.

Packing light for a cold trip originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Eagle CreekEagleCreekKeenMarmot DivaMarmotDivapackingpacking lightPackingLightTue, 03 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel-themed Halloween costume #4: Famous explorers]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/31/travel-themed-halloween-costume-4-famous-explorers/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/31/travel-themed-halloween-costume-4-famous-explorers/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/31/travel-themed-halloween-costume-4-famous-explorers/#commentsFiled under: ,

Got the travel bug and want to express it this Halloween? Following are several travel stereotypes you can use for costumes.

Here are some last-minute ideas you can throw together and still reflect your love for travel.

Jacques Cousteau: Got a wetsuit and a red cap? You're set. A pair of flippers might impede your trick-or-treating, but would probably be pretty fun to kick around on the dance floor at a Halloween party.

Amelia Earhart: Ladies, don your favorite high-waist, roomy-hipped pants, an aviator jacket and sexy scarf. A swim cap and goggles are also a cheapskate option for mimicking her head wear.

Neil Armstrong: Moon boots and a motorcycle helmet are a super cheap, last-minute way to convince people that you're an astronaut, but you can build up from there. Plus, you'll be totally safe.

Travel-themed Halloween costume #4: Famous explorers originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>famous explorersFamousExplorershalloweenjacque couseauJacqueCouseaulast minute costume ideaLastMinuteCostumeIdeaneil armstrongNeilArmstrongSat, 31 Oct 2009 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel-themed Halloween costume idea #3: American exchange student backpacking through Europe]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/30/travel-themed-halloween-costume-idea-3-american-exchange-stude/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/30/travel-themed-halloween-costume-idea-3-american-exchange-stude/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/30/travel-themed-halloween-costume-idea-3-american-exchange-stude/#commentsFiled under: ,

Got the travel bug and want to express it this Halloween? Following is the third of several travel stereotypes you can use for costumes.

American exchange student: You know the type. Young, drunk American students who are suddenly legally allowed to drink set loose across Europe without chaperones. You'll find them in hostels across the Old World, lugging giant backpacks and sporting Eurail passes. For this costume, you will definitely want a college sweatshirt or t-shirt. Gentlemen, pair it with khaki pants and a baseball cap. Ladies, yoga pants or skinny jeans will do the trick, and finish the look off with a pair of running shoes.

Carry a giant backpack (sew a Canadian flag on there if you don't want folks to immediately assume you're an American), and make sure to get really drunk.

This costume also works well in a group: random drunken make-out sessions will add authenticity to the hostel-party vibe.

Travel-themed Halloween costume idea #3: American exchange student backpacking through Europe originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>costume ideasCostumeIdeasHalloweenFri, 30 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel-themed Halloween costume idea #2: Sex tourist and prostitute]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/30/hallween-costume-idea-2-sex-tourist-and-prostitute/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/30/hallween-costume-idea-2-sex-tourist-and-prostitute/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/30/hallween-costume-idea-2-sex-tourist-and-prostitute/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Got the travel bug and want to express it this Halloween? Following is the second of several travel stereotypes you can use for costumes.

Sex tourist and prostitute: It ain't politically correct, but if you've spent any time in Thailand you know it's something you just can't avoid seeing. This costume really works best for couples; guys should go as a stereotypical tourist (read my tips for a "cruiser" costume). A sunburned face also adds authenticity. For maximum creepiness, dye your hair white, slather on some fake tanning lotion, and throw a gold chain around your neck. The older the male, the younger the prostitute should look.

Ladies, general "hooker" attire is all that's needed, plus a long black wig. Make sure to cling to you man. Two prostitutes, one on either side, and a dazed goofy grin on the guy is another take on this politically-incorrect costume.

Travel-themed Halloween costume idea #2: Sex tourist and prostitute originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halloweenprostitutesex tourismSexTourismFri, 30 Oct 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel-themed Halloween costume idea #1: Cruiser(s)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/29/halloween-costume-idea-1-cruiser-s/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/29/halloween-costume-idea-1-cruiser-s/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/29/halloween-costume-idea-1-cruiser-s/#commentsFiled under:

Got the travel bug and want to express it this Halloween? Following is the first of several travel stereotypes you can use for costumes.

Cruiser: Let's start from the top down. Hair dye works well for the ladies; try for a blue-gray. If there are two of you, matching sweatsuits are an option, or consider dressing up as though it's formal night. Make sure to toss a pass card (such as the Princess Captain's Circle Membership card) so that folks don't mistake you for prom dates, and also so they recognize your elite status.

If you take the casual route, throw a fanny pack around your waist and a camera around your neck. Socks and sandals are also a nice touch.

Carry a strawberry daiquiri and make sure you complain loudly about how stuffed you are from all the food you've been eating at the buffet.

Travel-themed Halloween costume idea #1: Cruiser(s) originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cruisehalloweenThu, 29 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Alaskan roadhouse experience]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/26/the-alaskan-roadhouse-experience/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/26/the-alaskan-roadhouse-experience/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/26/the-alaskan-roadhouse-experience/#commentsFiled under: ,

Last month, Up Here Magazine ran a feature on the end of the roadhouse. Even if you've never stopped at a roadhouse while driving long distances, you're likely familiar with the sight of them: generally a larger main building with a few gas pumps and a small restaurant, and several cabins fanning out on either side. These days, many of them are sagging in the weeds and boarded up.

Up Here cites highway improvements and a drop in tourists for the shuttering of so many roadhouses along the Alaska Highway (or "Alcan").

Though I usually camp off the side of the road when I dive the Alcan (I've made the 2500 mile drive from Seattle to Anchorage five times), I'm familiar with many of the grilled cheese sandwiches available along the way. I even had a toothless, bearded old sourdough recently offer to buy me and my friends shots at a roadhouse along the Richardson Highway. Authentic roadhouse experiences are clearly still available.

Though there are more derelict than functioning roadhouses these days, there is still a few you can visit in Alaska:

Continue reading The Alaskan roadhouse experience

The Alaskan roadhouse experience originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlaskaAnchorageroad tripsRoadTripsSeattleUp Here MagazineUpHereMagazinevintageamericaMon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The international top five crappy pizzas ]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/18/the-five-worst-pizzas-in-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/18/the-five-worst-pizzas-in-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/18/the-five-worst-pizzas-in-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Bad pizza? Isn't that an oxymoron? Nope - despite the simplicity of melted cheese on dough, there is indeed such a thing as horrible pizza. I know; I ate some in Kaili, China - a town that has maybe 3 Westerners living in it, in a country that generally doesn't do bread or cheese. I should have known better. All the ingredients were super-processed and frozen, and it tasted as though I was eating a fake, plastic pizza.

The hilarious list comes from Tom Gates over at MatadorNights, and includes such vivid descriptions as "[the cheese] sweats as if masturbating," definitely not something I want my pizza to do.

The top five worst pizzas in the world (excluding my pizza in Kaili, which definitely deserves a mention) are served at:
  1. Pronto Pizza in La Serena, Chile
  2. Te Pizza el Gallso in Buenos Aires, Argentina
  3. San Marcos SRL in Florence, Italy
  4. Suba Galaxy Hotel in Mumbai, India
  5. Italian Pizza on Koh Chang, Thailand
I've eaten plenty of delicious local food in India and Thailand and know better than to order pizza there, but the lure of my favorite comfort food has certainly convinced me to override common sense and order a pizza (or hamburger, or fries, or spaghetti) at restaurants aimed towards foreigners. My advice comes from experience: ignore the evil voices trying to convince you how good the melted cheese with herbs will be, and go for the curry. It's cheaper, and oftentimes the curry you get back home - especially if you live in BF Alaska - will be along the same lines as the pizza you'll get in Asia.

[Via iamkohchang.com]

The international top five crappy pizzas originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pizzaSun, 18 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[WWOOF: A cheap, eco-friendly way to travel, except in China]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/15/wwoof-a-cheap-eco-friendly-way-to-travel-except-in-china/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/15/wwoof-a-cheap-eco-friendly-way-to-travel-except-in-china/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/15/wwoof-a-cheap-eco-friendly-way-to-travel-except-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I've always been intrigued by the organization WWOOF ("World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms"), which connects organic farms around the world with willing workers who are usually travelers looking for a deeper connection to a country. Every person I know who has worked on an organic farm through WWOOF has raved about their experience, which usually included light farm labor, healthy meals, and a family-like atmosphere. Up until now, I've balked at registering for WWOOF, however, because you have to pay to view the hosts for each country. I'm too non-committal for that - until now.

Since I'm headed to China with a six-month visa, I thought it would be the perfect time to test out WWOOF. I paid my $40 with an innocent (and ignorant) daydream of working ankle-deep in rice paddies or some other pastoral setting. Imagine my disappointment when I logged on to find that the majority of hosts live in or very close to a major city, and are looking mostly for language teachers. One host needed an accountant, another an engineer.

It appears that WWOOF has loosened the rules for Chinese hosts: in order to encourage participation they've waived the host registration fee, and also state that hosts need only "have some work for a WWOOF China traveler who comes to your place to do each day." Pretty broad.

I'll skip the housekeeping in central Beijing for now, and hope that more farmers - organic or not! - are able to register.

WWOOF: A cheap, eco-friendly way to travel, except in China originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>WWOOFThu, 15 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[China's Dwarf Empire home to 80+ performing dwarves]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/14/chinas-dwarf-empire-home-to-80-performing-dwarves/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/14/chinas-dwarf-empire-home-to-80-performing-dwarves/http://www.gadling.com/2009/10/14/chinas-dwarf-empire-home-to-80-performing-dwarves/#commentsFiled under: ,

In a southwestern province, 6000 feet above the sea, sits a city. A short journey from that city is a tiny village. And in this village, tiny people live in mushroom-shaped houses. No, this isn't a fairy tale -- there truly is a "Dwarf Empire" outside of Kunming, China in Yunnan Province.

Since I'm getting ready to move to Kunming in a couple of weeks, I've been spending some time over on the forums at GoKunming. A couple of weeks ago, someone posted to ask if anyone had heard of a nearby "dwarf village," rumored to be a town set up by dwarves for anyone under a certain height.

The founder of GoKunming decided to check it out for himself, and what he discovered was a dwarf theme park complete with a twice-daily musical. The dwarf residents come from all over China, and in addition to free room and board receive dance and English lessons. GoKunming reported that the residents they spoke with were happy with the setup, and pointed out that little work is available to them elsewhere in the country.

Though this site is in Italian, it has some good photos of the musical, which includes ballet and break-dancing.

The entrance fee is only about $12 - what do you all think? Should I visit it when I'm in Kunming or is it totally over-the-top unethical?

China's Dwarf Empire home to 80+ performing dwarves originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dwarf EmpireDwarfEmpireKunmingWed, 14 Oct 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[What do you need for breakfast on the road?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/10/what-do-you-need-for-breakfast-on-the-road/http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/10/what-do-you-need-for-breakfast-on-the-road/http://www.gadling.com/2009/07/10/what-do-you-need-for-breakfast-on-the-road/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I'm a big fan of breakfast - a big Western breakfast, with eggs and bacon and toast and coffee. And my friend once pointed out after we emerged from our guesthouse in Nha Trang, Vietnam at 4pm after a wild Halloween night that no matter what time of day it is, I need to eat breakfast-y food for my first meal.

When I researched Thailand for Lonely Planet last fall, I ate Thai all the time despite the availability of Western food in tourist towns - except for breakfast. The one or two times I actually craved a Thai breakfast (a savory bowl of rice soup with meat) made me feel that I was finally getting under the skin of the country. I mentioned my need for eggs and toast to another traveler, who said it was that way for many other travelers she knew.

How about you, reader-traveler? Does your body crave the protein, carbs, and salt from eggs, toast, and bacon (or whatever your particular breakfast favorite is), or are you able to dive into the country's breakfast you're visiting?

What do you need for breakfast on the road? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakfastLonely PlanetLonelyPlanetFri, 10 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST