tripcrazed's Tripcrazed

Match up Monday: Times Square NYC vs. Shibuya, Tokyo

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:29:00 GMT

When you're a successful tourist, you always venture to find the hot spots of a city. The place where the streets light up and everywhere you turn there is something to see. Big cities usually have areas where you can identify with this. Plenty of walking space to wander around and take photos of huge billboard ads or interesting buildings.

New York City and Tokyo are well known cities that tourists flock to. Streets are bombarded with hundreds of foreigners trying to enjoying every last drop the city has to offer.

Both cities also have a central spot known to anyone who doesn't live under a rock. You've got Times Square and the Shibuya district; both tourist hot spots.

Times Square, NYC:

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Located in Midtown Manhattan from West 42nd Street to West 47th Street between 6th and 8th avenue. More Here...

Let's have a Flour War in Greece!

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:17:00 GMT

So, I have a bucket list and I am definitely adding this festival to it. It looks like so much fun! I want my flour to be pink!

What is it about? It's to celebrate Clean Monday (March 10th) which marks the first day of Orthodox Lent in Galaxidi, Greece.

People run around armed with colorful flour to throw at each other. (OMG How much fun is that?!) Here is a video of the war! More Here...

A lazy Saturday in Istanbul

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:33:00 GMT

This post is part 13 of 17 of my trip to Istanbul. The series intends to give more than just a I-saw-this-and-did-that review. It aims to share the voice inside my head as I explore a world I’ve only read in books.

The sixth day in Istanbul was our lazy Saturday. Technically, it was a Wednesday but we’d been running around the city like lab rats since we landed. It felt like a Saturday. Our days usually started at 7:30AM. We’d snooze for an hour, get dressed and have breakfast on the hotel terrace. By the time we left the Hali Hotel, it was around 10AM and we’d explored the city non-stop until 11PM. Once we got back to the hotel we’d shower and take a face-dive into the pillow. But this morning we decided to take it easy.

We slept in and had brunch in what use to be the home of Hakki Pasha.

Hakkı Pasha, who was the governor of Yemen in the last era of Ottoman Period, between the years 1846 – 1914, lived in this house. He constructed the building in the authentic architectural form together with the most famous Turkish architects of the period. And he lived here until 1911 with his family. This place of Hakkı Pasha has an important place in the history. His grandchildren restored this historical building for Hakkı Pasha’s memory. And now, they are operating this place, which has a magnificent atmosphere, under the title CozyPub Restaurant. - CozyPub & Restaurant

More Here...

Crazy British Traditions: Guy Fawkes Night

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:15:00 GMT

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I just spent half my evening trying to explain Guy Fawkes Night to some non-British colleagues.

"Why are there lots of fireworks tonight?" French boy had innocently asked.

"It's November 5th!" I'd answered.

"Ok....?"

I realized that stating the date hadn't helped. "Every November 5th the British celebrate Guy Fawkes Night."

"GAY FORKS NIGHT!?" he exclaimed, looking as shocked as I was amused. More Here...

Surviving British trains

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:45:00 GMT

Trains are a major part of the English lifestyle. Every major city has many train stations, every town has at least one and many small and possibly insignificant places have one. Trains run at regular intervals throughout the day, and sometimes even run almost on time!

When arriving at the train station of your choice in order to begin your journey, the first step is to buy a ticket for your journey. There are times when you can get away without paying, however you never know which times these will be until the end of your journey. You risk being fined should you be caught not paying and as such it is usually the best idea to opt for buying the ticket.

(Note: Please do not actually buy a ticket to Bognor Regis. You do NOT want to go there) More Here...

How long have you lived in your hometown?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:35:00 GMT

Years ago, someone told me that most people will live and die within a certain radius of where they grew up. It means that people get comfortable where they were raised and tend to stick to it.

Meanwhile, you have others who are traveling nomads and call the roads their home.

I was born and raised in my hometown for the past 23 years. I've lived in a few places nearby the general area of where my parents live, but nothing drastically far.

Hometowns give you that fuzzy feeling inside of warm memories. Remembering the streets you used to play on, the local hangouts and familiar faces that never fade away.

You'll grow older and your neighborhood might morph into something new, but your memories will always remain. It is something that will stay with you forever.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in your hometown?

Food war Saturday: Chicago Deep Dish vs. NYC Pizza

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:55:00 GMT

Now, I know everyone is drooling over the site of delicious pizza, but there is a food war to be determined! Which city holds the title for the better pizza?

Pizza is a delicious and savory delicacy and can be eaten on the run, or in a timely matter if chosen. Eat it while watching the football game or go gourmet and get some fancy toppings.

But, these two cities have a rep of having very well known cheese and sauce on bread.

Chicago Deep Dish Pizza:

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Invented at Pizzeria Uno in 1943.

Has a buttery crust that is a few inches tall.

Large amounts of cheese and chunky tomato sauce.

It is nothing like the original Italian pizza.

New York styled Pizza:

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Originated in the early 1900s.

Resembles the pizza style of Naples, Italy.

It is a wide, thin and foldable slice.

Hand tossed and usually light on the sauce and cheese.

I have to say, I am a HUGE fan of pizza and I love them both.

What is your favorite kind of pizza: Chicago or New York style?

Interesting travel quotes to get you thinking

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:12:00 GMT

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It seems like everyone has something to say about travel. Some live and breathe it, others feel like it is not in their reach. However you feel about travel, there have been some great things said about it.

I love collecting quotes and writing down interesting things people say. Here are a collection of interesting travel quotes:

"Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don’t have film."

"But why, oh why, do the wrong people travel, when the right people stay at home?" More Here...

What was your favorite class trip?

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:48:00 GMT

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The most exciting part about school is getting out and leaving for the day. Just kidding, kind of. Whenever it was time for a class trip, it meant education beyond the classroom in a more creative way.

Oh the days of packing a peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and the buddy system. Class trips were always something we'd look forward to. And as we grew, so did the trips. Secondary schools try to advocate large scale trips to other states or even other countries.

My favorite class trip as a kid was Field Day. Every June in Elementary school, we'd bring a huge lunch and lots of outdoor toys, such as volleyballs, baseballs and other athletic equipment. It would take place in Central Park, NY, so the fields of green were endless. Nothing like running around with your friends all day.

As a teenager, my favorite class trip was going to Europe in my Junior year of high school. I sold chocolate to make half of my trip money and the trip itself opened my eyes to the world of travel.

What was your favorite class trip as a kid or in high school?

My Montana Adventure

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:30:00 GMT

From Guest Blogger Anja @ Everthenomad

As I write this, I am sitting at the edge of an immense field with Montana's famous big skies in front of me. It is 9pm and the sun is slowly setting. I just had a delicious alfresco dinner – rabbit and bison sausages with huckleberry mustard as an appetizer, followed by a Caesar salad, and as the main course, New York steak with morel mushrooms, baked potatoes, a herb pasta and corn with collard greens. I am sipping green tea, about to switch to red wine. Hard life.

I spent the afternoon kayaking on the Blackfoot River, navigating rapids and big stones. For my first river kayak experience, I did pretty well – the boat didn't flip and despite the fact I got absolutely soaked (despite wearing a wet suit) in the white water, it was fun and thrilling.

I arrived to Montana yesterday afternoon and spent my first night in Tent City at Paws Up. It was very cold out, unusually so for the middle of July, but I was very happy under the down comforter in my king-size bed, listening to the sound of rain falling on the canvas. Yes, down comforters – and an electric blanket on top! It doesn't sound like camping, right? Well, that's because I'm glamping – glamorous camping.

What awaits me tonight are smores by the bonfire, a spot of stargazing and a sweet night in my tent. I will awake tomorrow to a fantastic breakfast and then move on to Spa Town for a yoga class. In the afternoon, I plan to go ATV-ing around some of the 37,000 acres of this humongous property. A pretty amazing couple of days.

As I sat by the river this evening, watching a bald eagle's nest in a tall pine tree on the other bank, listening to undisturbed silence, with nowhere to go and nothing to do, I fully realized the beauty of my job. What a privilege to be exactly where I am.

Have you ever been to Montana? Have you done any of the activities mentioned?