Cruisin...

Some people love cruises. Take my brother. He has been on two, 7 Day cruises - THIS YEAR. But he also went with me on my Vietnam/Cambodia trip - so I'll give him a pass.

Me?  I'm not a cruiser.  It just doesn't interest me.  So how did I find myself sitting on the balcony of a cabin ON a cruise ship?  Easy.  My desire to help everyone "get out there and see the world".

Here's where it started........

People are always saying "you don't invite me when you travel", so I invite them they say "that's out of my budget".  Sigh.  So since people tell me that cruising is affordable and that payment plans are available, my desire encouraged me to say "let's take a cruise".  So I chose the dates, and the shortest cruise available.  I sent out some invitations, got some takers and we were all set.

I put down my deposit and created my flight alert.  A few other people put down their deposit and I got excited because I was thinking "YES.  WE ARE TAKING A TRIP!"  Months passed, I sent out encouraging emails (they all ended with YaY), we talked about how much fun we were going to have, I purchased a flight and waited.  And waited…..AND WAITED.  I stopped sending encouraging emails and started sending emails that ended with “are you taking this &*$&# cruise?”
So let's see. I'm now on a 3 Day cruise to the Bahamas (where I have already been this year for a wedding, but I digress) with my “I will travel anywhere” daughter and a friend who has never left the country.  I’m sitting on the balcony adding up my affordable cruise:

Cruise:  $450 (includes transportation to the Bahamas, lodging, around the clock unlimited food - including ice cream, movies, live shows, clubs, casino and other activities)

Flight:  $220
Car Rental:  $90 (this was cheaper than each of us paying for round-trip transportation)
Parking:  $40
Gas: $20
Misc (internet, drinks on cruise, food/drinks on island):  $75

So, my desire to help everyone "get out there and see the world" cost me approximately $900. That’s an average cost of $300/day……hmmmmm.  I’ve planned longer, more exciting (for me) vacations for half the cost; but what hurt me the most was the 2 vacation days I lost. 

When I returned, I spent some time with myself, and we have come to an agreement. People who want to travel, well, will TRAVEL.  I don’t have to invite them, I don’t have to encourage them (YaY), I don’t have to plan specialty trips for them.  They will get out there.  And they will see the world. 

P.S. – my friend did get her FIRST passport stamp.  This is the only picture I saved!

Happy Travels Everyone~

Angie
2 Girls & A Bikini

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

For Christmas, I gave a friend of mine a book for his son. Not just any book, but my absolute favorite children's book: Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss.

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

I have loved this book since I begin reading it to my own children when they were toddlers. Even now, as an adult, I often read this book to myself as a reminder that I can do anything, go anywhere and see anything I put my mind to.

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You see, for many years I talked myself out of living my travel dreams. Making excuses such as I can’t afford it or that traveling to faraway places alone is not safe.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.

Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're dark.

A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!

Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?

How much can you lose? How much can you win?

I would say that I can't leave my kids and I can't take them with me. Or that being away from them for a week is simply irresponsible and unacceptable. So I settled into the life of "normalcy" that consisted of work, come home, be Mom, repeat; but secretly yearning for far away places and trying to figure out how to fill the void that is created when you put your hopes on the back burner.

You can get so confused

that you'll start in to race

down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace

and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,

headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.

The Waiting Place...

One day, after a routine doctor's visit, I found myself in the intensive care unit of my local hospital. The doctors were saying things like "stroke" and "bleeding on the brain". They were asking me questions such as "what has you so stressed out?"

NO!

That's not for you!

I spent a week in that hospital bed. It was there that I decided that I would no longer simply be who society expected me to be. That I would no longer live my life by the standards of others. I decided that life is to be lived and I deserved to live it on my own terms, in my own way. I made some life changing decisions that put me in a better position to do the things that made me happy. Things that filled the void and released the stress. I stopped making excuses.

With banner flip-flapping,

once more you'll ride high!

Ready for anything under the sky.

Ready because you're that kind of a guy!

So now when I get discouraged and the naysayers begin to naysay, I simply remember Dr. Seuss and I can almost hear him say:

And will you succeed?

Yes! You will, indeed!

(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...

be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray

or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,

you're off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So...get on your way!

For the full text of Oh, the Places You'll Go! click here.

What About Your Friends?

Last weekend I traveled to Atlanta to support two friends who have started their own Event Management and Entertainment Company. Another friend picked me up from the airport and we proceeded to pick up another friend who was flying in for the night on her way to Haiti. The five of us hung out in the lobby of the hotel drinking, chatting and laughing. We shared our dreams, discussed our successes and laughed at our failures. We cheered each other on and encouraged each other to go for it, regardless of what "it" was. 

On Saturday evening, we all attended a concert where we were joined by 4 other friends. More drinking, chatting, laughing, sharing and encouraging took place. We danced until after midnight and as quickly as the group came together, we separated; vowing to see each other again soon - maybe in LA, Vegas, Montego Bay, Paris, Thailand or Dubai. 

Sunday morning I headed to the airport, mentally recapping the weekend. I smiled as I thought about my friends, and suddenly I realized that I have known 6 of these individuals for less than 48 hours and the other two for less than 6 months, yet I felt as if I have known all of them a lifetime!  I laughed.  This is the madness that is Nomad·ness!

Ahhhh yes, the Nomad·ness Travel Tribe, AKA The Tribe, was created by Evita Robinson and stemmed from her travel series Nomad·ness TV.  This is a place where likeminded individuals can gather to show why they are nomads. Where you can post your own stories, photos, videos, and travel plans. Where friends are made and support of a nomad lifestyle is given. Where there is no judgment, no "but why" - only answers and recommendations.  Where you can travel across the world with one post and hundreds of comments. Where there is always someone to talk to. Someone who understands your unquenchable need to go, to see, to do.

This group of almost 2,000 members have become my lifeline. We talk on a daily basis. We keep up with each others comings and goings. We kick each other in the butt when needed. We jump on an internet connection and find flights for stranded members.  We open our cities and our homes for visiting members.  We hop on flights to attend events, or to simply meet each other.   We text, Skype, and Face Time day and night because we can't sleep. And neither can the person on the other end because he or she is up looking for the next destination - just like you. 

I am constantly in awe at the wonderfulness that is The Tribe.  Jumping on flights, exploring the world, making a difference and changing the face of travel.  My life has been greatly impacted by these new friendships.  Friendships that inspire, encourage and motivate.  I am no longer intimidated by my desire to see the world and get lost in it all because I know that no matter where I land, there will be a Tribe member close.  I know that no matter what, success or failure, I have a friend (or 2,000). 

This is Nomad·ness!!!



Wanna see more pictures?  Click here!

I've Got Spirit...How 'Bout You?

If you know me, you know that I am a huge fan of Spirit Airlines.  I mean, there is no other airline that can get me from Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale or New York for under $100.  Or to Los Angeles, direct, for under $200.  And YES, before you ask, that includes baggage fees!

I have been flying Spirit for a couple of years now, and I swear I have heard every objection.  So here are my responses to the most common complaints.

They have “hidden fees”:  None of the fees are hidden. Just take the time to read the words on the screen instead of simply hitting next to breeze through to checkout.  But, now that Spirit is required to include taxes and fees in the cost of the fare upfront, that should make some of ya’ll happy.  Personally, I preferred viewing the fares without all the taxes/fees included and then viewing the total after all costs.  But hey, that’s just me. 

They charge for bags, even carry-on:  Yes, they do.  But in most cases, even after the cost of my bag, Spirit still comes in as the least expensive option.  For instance, a recent ticket to NY cost me $96.11 total ($50.11 for the ticket and $46 baggage fee).  And that was for a checked bag.  The next lowest fare for that same weekend on a different carrier was close to $200. So technically, the other carrier’s “baggage fee” was even more.

It’s not comfortable:  Neither is my trip to the dentist, but that doesn’t stop me from going.  And when was the last time you were comfortable on a domestic flight in coach?!  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you will be comfortable (unless you are less than 5’ tall).  But I am saying that for a 2 to 3 hour flight, it’s tolerable.  And I’m usually on the first or last flight of the day.  In other words, I’m sleep.

They charge for beverages:  This one usually gets the blank stare.  Seriously?  Buy a can of Coke before you board the plane.  On my flight home a few nights ago, I stopped by the restaurant near my gate and paid $.71 for a large cup of ice.  I then filled said cup with water from the fountain.  Problem solved.

I’m sure there are other complaints, or what I like to call “justifiable excuses to spend more money”, but if you are ready to give it a try, here are some additional tips and tricks:

Become a $9 Fare Club member:  You will have access to even lower fares and you save on baggage fees.

Pay baggage fees at time of booking:  The fees are cheaper if you pay the fee when you book your flight.  For instance, the $46 I paid for my checked bag above would have been $36 if I had paid the baggage fee when I booked my airfare.  Also, if you are traveling with someone, consider packing ONE large bag and split the checked baggage fee rather than both of you paying for carry-on bags.

Sign-up for email notices:  You will receive notices of travel deals via email.  Here is the trick – DO NOT HESITATE.  If you can, check out the travel deal immediately.  The lowest fares will go quickly. 

Use Spirit Airlines as a Regional Carrier:  Spirit may not fly everywhere you want to go, so use Spirit to get as close to your destination as possible.  For instance, to get to Hawaii, I will book an inexpensive Spirit Airlines ticket to Los Angeles and then fly to Hawaii from there.  Also, whenever I see a deal to Ft. Lauderdale, I jump on it since flying to the Caribbean is much cheaper when leaving from the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area.

Be Flexible:  Spirit Airlines flies to destinations that may not be on your “to do” list, but if a great deal to a place you have never been shows up, consider making it a long weekend trip.  Or, a great deal to a place you have been but would like to visit again.  Why Not? 

The choice is yours.  I will say that Spirit Airlines may not be for everyone.  But for me, they are always my first choice when looking for ways to save money while getting to my desired destination.

The "B" Plan

It has been brought to my attention that airfare prices are at their highest levels since 2009 - SIGH.  And while this information is disappointing, it doesn't completely knock me out of the traveling arena for the year.  I just have to implement (insert dramatic music here) "The B Plan".  

Here are some of the ways I will adjust my travel plans:

·      MORE DOMESTIC TRIPS:  Domestic flights are less expensive than international flights simply because they carry fewer taxes.  Yes, I was hoping to make it to Europe this year, or maybe even Asia.  But until airfare prices begin to come down, I will concentrate on checking a few domestic locations off my list such as Key West, San Francisco, Washington, DC and Atlanta.  New to the list - Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, CA.

  

·      ROAD TRIPS:  Even though gas prices are still elevated, hitting the road is a less expensive option than flying, especially when traveling with kids.  Living in Chicago makes weekend trips to St. Louis, Milwaukee, or the beach and wine counties of Michigan an easy drive.  You might even find me and my convertible in Canada for a long weekend.  And let's not forget that Chicago itself is loaded with things to do and neighborhoods to explore. An entire weekend could be devoted to visiting the many architecture landmarks in the area including quite a few Frank Lloyd Wright buildings and homes.  

• TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LAST MINUTE PACKAGES:  I am a planner who prefers to have my trips planned out well in advance.  This builds excitement and helps me get through rough days.  However, in these tough travel times, I will have to be flexible with my travel dates and stay on the lookout for last minute package deals.  Signing up for email alerts from sites such as Airfare Watch Dog and TravelZoo will help me track down the best deals out there.
• VOLUME DISCOUNTS:  I am constantly receiving emails from sites such as LivingSocial, Groupon, Tablet, Bungolow, and Jetsetter offering deals on hotel accommodations.  The catch?  The total amount of the stay must be paid in advance and dates are limited.  Another option is Vacationist (the eBay of travel), where you bid on hotels and vacation packages.  Again, these options will force me to remain flexible.  If a great hotel deal comes across the radar - and I can find reasonable airfare - I'm off. 
• COMBINE TRIPS:  I have two family trips on the docket this summer:  Atlanta and Cancun.  After giving it some thought, I realized that flying to Atlanta, back to Chicago, and then 3 weeks later, flying from Chicago to Cancun makes no sense.  Instead I have combined the 2 trips.  I will fly to Atlanta and from there fly straight to Cancun.  I checked the price difference and combining the trips saves me $134 per ticket.  That’s over $400 savings for the 3 tickets I must purchase! 

There are so many other ways I have, or will, adjust for the rising cost of travel.  But my biggest adjustment will be remaining flexible.  Yes, I wanted to attend the North Sea Jazz Festival taking place in Curacao, but I’m sure Curacao is just as beautiful during a time when prices are a little lower.  I just won’t get to sing along with Santana.  Maybe next time……

How are you combating the rising costs of travel?  Have your plans changed?

Vacationer or Traveler? Which one are you?

After a few conversations with some well seasoned travelers, I have accepted the fact that I am not a traveler; I am in fact, a Vacationer but hoping to make the transition to Traveler.    Up until recently, I didn't realize that there is a distinct difference between the two.  Just in case there are others out there in the same state of confusion, let me tell you what I've been told. 

Vacationer - someone who visits a particular location and is interested in tours, things to see and do. Has no interest in the people, culture or history of a country.  Will spend most of his/her time "vegging" out and relaxing for a few days in a beautiful location while staying in plush accommodations. Vacationers don't like being uncomfortable and will complain about things such as being too hot and will certainly not drink tap water. 

Traveler - someone who immerses him/herself in a country. Usually in this place for an extended amount of time, blending in and getting to know the people and the culture.  Not interested in tours or group activities and not usually concerned with the small details, but will take each day as it comes, sometimes working odd jobs to finance their continued travels. Travelers are often uncomfortable and will backpack, sleep in tents and/or with a group of other travelers they just met on the train - but almost never in a lush hotel. 

Now, while I have some Traveler traits, I do have more Vacationer traits than I'd like to admit. For instance, some of my friends call me a "hotel snob" because my first question when approached about a travel opportunity is "Where are we staying?". Now I know most of you are in the thought camp of "I'll only be sleeping in the room", but ONLY is a strange word when it comes to sleeping and after a day of activity - I would really like to get a good nights rest.  Being comfortable is a big part of that!

The biggest struggle I will have in my transition from Vacationer to Traveler is the immersion in the culture, more specifically, the food.  Let me first say that my diet at home consists mostly of burgers, pizza, and anything pasta (horrible, I know). So, when I travel, I usually stick to the same routine, but will add some fresh seafood and fruit.  However in some countries they leave the head (and eyes) on the fish!  Eeewww - creepy. And I am very sensitive to smells. Anything that had a strong smell, or even too spicy, forget about it.

As I mentioned, I do have some Traveler traits. For instance, I'm very interested in the people and history of a destination. I will take some time to read about my destination prior to arrival. I try and get to know their customs and a little about their history. In between my beach time, I will visit any any historical or architectural sites in the area. I will take public transportation, walk the streets of the city, and go to local hot spots; usually alone and not on a tour since I don't like to be on someone else's schedule (which is why I don't cruise, but that's another post).

I know my journey from Vacationer to Traveler is going to take some time and adjusted thinking. Being aware of the differences and allowing myself to be open to the experience is a good start. Besides, I will drink tap water - that has to count for something, right?!