Monthly Archives: March 2010

Every season has a soundtrack. It’s time for a new one!

Every phase of life, every relationship, every chapter of your story has its songs that will forever transport you back into moments that have passed but can be relived each time the song is played. Some songs are triggers; they remind you of home and can make you both ecstatic and homesick to hear when you’re far away [for me, I predict: Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys “Empire State of Mind” to have this effect on me in Ecuador], some trigger memories of a specific person who loved you and then maybe broke your heart [those songs are pretty loaded, as they can bring up both wonderful and difficult emotions — and no, I will not share mine, but – for better or for worse – I’ve got some of those!], and then there are the songs that remind you of how FUN a certain time was [ahhh, the list of songs that will forever remind me of crew parties and random laughing fits or dance parties with my college friends and teammates is endless and wonderful].

And THEN, there are the times when you need new songs, before they become the soundtrack to any memories. That’s where I am at right NOW.

I’m about to do a LOT of traveling. Long flights to Rome and back will be quickly followed by the 10-hr flight to Buenos Aires and back, and eventually the one-way flight to Quito. But, here’s a little problem I have: I don’t sleep on planes. That’s right, not one minute. Ever. AND, I refuse to take sleeping pills in any form. The only thing I will take is Melatonin (a natural supplement that supposedly helps adjust your body’s clock to the time zone you’re in, based on sunlight), but even that is something I avoid. Usually, I like to just let my body figure it out and accept I’ll be running on empty for a while, which I’m capable of even if it’s not fun. What I’m saying is… I need new music. Lots of it.

The one and only time I ever attempted to take a sleeping pill was on a direct flight from NYC to Tokyo. Because I’m pretty small and sensitive to the effects of most medication, I decided to take half an Ambien about an hour into the JFK-Narita flight. The next seven or eight hours of the 12.5 hr flight consisted of me trying to figure out if my head was still attached to my body or if it was floating three feet above me. I pretty much was trapped in my window seat (two sleeping Japanese business men locked me in) alone, drooling like a slobbering dog, and completely confused for the entirety of the flight. I did not sleep; instead, I drifted in and out of a woozy world that hummed as it stood completely still. I. Am. Never. Taking. Half. An. Ambien. Again. (MAYBE a whole one some day, but even that I hope to avoid.)

Now back to the task at hand…

Over the summer, we created “The Ultimate Travel Playlist.” It was FABULOUS, but we’ve all probably moved on from that phase. Today, I’m asking all of you to shake it up, refresh the list, and give me a NEW set of songs to accompany me on all my upcoming travels (and yours). They can have NOTHING to do with travel, and everything to do with the stuff that just makes you feel good about life right now. I’m looking for new or relatively new music, and I know you’ve got it.

Please, give me some good stuff to listen to as I stare at the seat in front of me while everyone around me sleeps. Submit, as a comment, your list of three to five songs you think I should listen to on my trips. As always, I will kick things off so you feel comfortable. Here are a few of the  “popular” songs that have been on my workout playlist over the past few months. They get my heart pumpin’ and have put me in a I-can-take-on-the-world good mood. What songs put you in that mood? SHARE THOSE.

1. Michael Buble, “Feeling Good”

2. Lady Gaga, “Teeth” [BEST song to spin to! We listened to this in my spinning class and pedal to the beat. It’s fast, but it’s SO invigorating when you’re ready to bust it out and GO!]

3. Kings of Leon, “Notion”

ALSO, I will definitely be listening to my fabulous and incredibly talented friend, Samantha Farrell and her entire album, Luminous, including “Someday” “Lady Luck” and “Fade Away”

This is NOT about judging someone’s taste. Share your list of artists and song titles, independent or popular… Clearly, I am not a music snob, so don’t be shy. Have fun with it!

That’s right — it’s QUITO, ECUADOR!

Quito, Ecuador. Shannon K.

I think this  description [below] of Quito, provided by Shannon K., perfectly sums up what I anticipate living in Quito to be like (minus a couple unfortunate stomach aches, and probably some very freaky insect or bird encounters). It’s un poquito de Quito, just a tiny snapshot of a visit to the second highest capital in the WORLD.

Plaza in Quito. Shannon K.

For those of you who do not know, I have accepted a job with V!VA Guides and will be moving to Quito, Ecuador at the end of May. It’s EXCITING!! And, yes, a blur of other emotions and thoughts, but I’m totally doing it, and I’m going to give it my best shot. Of course, I planned a couple big trips this Spring (to Italy and Argentina) thinking I was going to be unemployed, which has made my life quite complicated and chaotic lately, but it’s good to be busy! I just wish busy didn’t include repeated trips to One Police Plaza, next to the Brooklyn Bridge, where I have to return in ten days (the day before I go to Italy) to pick up my letter of good conduct for my Visa (fingerprints: check! Getting hardcore hit on by a cop while getting my fingerprints: double CHECK). I can’t stop thinking about Ecuador and the big move these days, but I refuse to pretend I can predict anything about what life will be like in Quito. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that you’ve just got to buckle up and go for the ride when it comes to changes this big. Sometimes you’ve got to go all-in, and see what happens.

Quito Street. Shannon K.

I remember my first day of college. I had been placed in the steep and rocky Mt. Katahdin day-hiking group for my pre-orientation trip (known as “Pre-Os” at the WONDERFUL Bowdoin College, these are the optional trips that we could do to appreciate Maine and bond in small groups the week before college officially began). Before going to Bowdoin, I had lived in the same apartment my entire life and gone to the same school for 12 years: change was not part of my life, and I liked it that way. Going to Bowdoin — in MAINE, of all places — was a HUGE change for me, and I was, admittedly, TERRIFIED!

Sure enough, I did everything I could to prepare. I got every piece of clothing on the suggested packing list, made myself a special ride-to-college mix that would flip my anxiety into excitement, and was ready for all college had to offer — I thought. When I arrived on campus, I headed straight for the sign-in sheet. They said “Great, well have fun backpacking and canoeing!” I said… “Uhhh, what?? I’m on the day-hiking trip…” and nervously showed the nice sophomore volunteer my letter from Bowdoin stating that I was, in fact, on the day-hiking trip to Katahdin. She checked her list, twice, and said, “Oh, well, we have you signed up for the Flagstaff-Bigelow backpacking and canoeing trip and, because of the canoeing, that trip has an even number of people so we kind of need you to do that one or someone won’t have a canoe buddy…” GULP. There I was, prepared as can be for the ONLY thing I could possibly  prepare for during my first week of college, and everything I had so carefully anticipated was being tossed out the window.  Much to my surprise (and my mom’s, who knew my resistance to “change” from a young age), I just took a deep breath, and said,  “OK! Let’s do it…”

The next couple hours consisted of me emptying my entire backpack, getting a new one, rummaging through the Bowdoin Outdoor Club for every piece of equipment from tent parts to cooking parts to waterproof clothes, with my awesome upperclassmen guides, Kazia (who, it turns out, is still awesome) and Jeff (who is also awesome, and is a doctor with the Navy). When I met my group, most were ex-boy scouts, had done several NOLS trips, or worked at Patagonia in their hometown in Montana. There I was, the NYC girl in Maine, who had been signed up for two trips and packed for the WRONG one. I was INCREDIBLY humbled when everyone in my group decided to reach into their own bags and lend me a pair of socks, a quick-drying shirt, some took a pot out of my backpack because my pack was too heavy and didn’t fit properly, and all these strangers (who quickly became friends) did everything they could to make me feel comfortable, welcome, and as prepared as I could be.

In the end, I don’t think there could have been a better way to start my college experience. I had to immediately toss all my pride out the window and take things as they came. As prepared as I thought I was, I had to go with the flow and challenge myself in ways I had never been challenged before. And these people I had JUST met were right there for me from the first moment, ready to help and support me however I needed it. It was a lesson that has stuck with me, and I am taking it with me to Quito.

Now, let’s all learn a little something about one lovely lady’s trip to the city of Quito, which -although I’ve never been- is about to become my home.

In October 2008 I traveled to Ecuador to meet a friend who was starting a three-month tour around South America. Quito is a very walkable city, and the Old Town, with its narrow streets and beautiful architecture, was my favorite neighborhood.

Quito street. Shannon K.

You can’t skip the Basilica del Voto National. If you can manage the hike up the (very) vertical road to the church, then you’ve already won half the battle. And, as an added bonus, good luck beating altitude sickness [Quito sits at an altitude of 9,200 ft].

Basilica, Quito. Shannon K.

The second challenge is reaching the top of the church’s tallest tower, and in order do so, unsuspecting tourists must walk across an old wooden plank just below the cathedral’s ceiling to get to the opposite side, where you climb up a scrawny staircase (think submarine boat stairs) that offers no protection from a fall whatsoever. My fear of heights prevented me from completing the intimidating journey up the final tower, but I have no regrets since my views of the city from the first three viewing points were fantastic.

Cathedral View, Quito. Shannon K.

You’ll need a snack after that adventure (and a stiff drink), and I highly recommend the fruit salad at Fruteria Monserrate. Fruit salad may not sound exciting, but this was one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten!  It consisted of lots of yummy, fresh, tropical fruit and it had this fantastic raspberry sauce drizzled all over it, topped with freshly whipped cream.  It sounds completely unimpressive, I suppose, because it is so simple, and yet it melts in your mouth and tastes so good. I would eat there every day if I could!

Quito, Ecuador. Shannon, K.

We wrapped up the day in New Town where we sampled the national beer in Mariscal Sucre. Ecuador’s national beer sadly lives up to its poor reputation, but when in Rome…

View of Quito. Shannon K.

We eventually learned how to navigate Quito’s bus terminal (harder than it sounds), how to get pick pocketed on a bus (much easier than it sounds), and were reminded of how to say “I’ve been robbed” in Spanish (it’s good for laughs at the police station). A word of caution- taking the bus in Ecuador is not for the faint of heart. I recommend shutting the curtains during the particularly rough patches and saying a prayer to the travel gods.

Montana View from Bus. Shannon K.

It is difficult to believe the locals when they tell you that their mountain roads (with hairpin turns) are safe, especially after you’ve passed an identical bus hanging perilously off the side of a 10,000+ ft cliff. That being said, and as long as you don’t look down, you’ll be amazed by the beautiful countryside.

City and Countryside, Quito. Shannon K.

Memories of the stressful bus rides will melt away once you get to the rainforest (that or you’ll quickly repress them).

Hammocks in the Amazon. Shannon K.

Tena, Ecuador. Shannon K.

We hiked, swam in lagoons, climbed waterfalls, learned about the wildlife, and navigated river rapids. We also learned that jungle bats don’t take kindly to travelers climbing through their cave.

Bird of Paradise flower. Rainforest, Ecuador. Shannon K.

The rainforests are definitely worth the harrowing bus ride- so make sure not to miss them! ENJOY ECUADOR, TAVEL!

Quito. Shannon K.

NOTE: All the photographs in this entry were provided by Shannon K. THANK YOU SHANNON! Cannot wait to spend a few weeks with this girl in Argentina 🙂

During the past couple of weeks, I’ve had one particular South American city on my mind…

This is going to be the easiest Mystery Snapshot yet, but I couldn’t resist. It comes to us from the lovely Shannon K., who I met (and with whom I spent most of my time) while studying abroad in Barcelona. She is from Texas, so don’t mess with her.

Now tell me, what South American city is this? In addition to identifying it, I am also looking for any and all advice, regarding this city and country. If you can tell me where this shot comes from, if you’ve been there, and/or if you know something about the place, please share your thoughts and wisdom as a comment below. I’ll take any info/insight I can get!

City High. Shannon K.

Good guessin’. You were all on the right track with the whole color thing, but the blue-looking mountains are actually the White Mountains of good ol’ New Hampshire! Tom H. tells us more about the photograph and his experience in a funny, real-time style entry. Enjoy:

This photo proves that you don’t need to go too far afield to travel. I took these photos while hiking the Presidential Traverse in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The Dolly Copp campground, where the hike started, is just 175 miles from Boston.

The Presidential Traverse is a hike that hits the summits of Mts. Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce, and Jackson. My co-workers who organized the hike decided to add Clay, Franklin, and Webster as well (you know, ’cause they’re on the way). It’s been a struggle to figure out how best to share what was a pretty grueling experience for me. In the end I’ve decided to steal Bill Simmons’ running diary style…

2:00 AM – Wake up. Eat granola bar. Feel like death.

2:50 AM – Arrive at Dolly Copp campground in Gorham, NH. I still don’t fully realize what I’m in for. Want to be excited, but it’s still too early.

Tom H (right) and friends. Dolly Copp, NH.

3:00 AM – Start hiking. Too dark to see, using headlamps. The blood starts flowing. I’m beginning to feel awake.

5:00 AM – Missed a turn back there. We’re now lost in the pre-dawn darkness. Not a good way to start.

5:50 AM – Mt. Madison summit. One down, ten to go. Cold, windy, and slippery. Tough combo.

Mt. Madison. White Mountains, NH.

6:00 AM – Madison Spring Hut. The guests there were just starting to wake up. They seemed confused as to how we got there, as we weren’t there for dinner the night before. I too, was starting to wonder what I was doing there. Then we explained our story. People were impressed. I started to feel better.

Tom H (left) and friends. Mt. Washington summit.

Tom H. on Mt. Monroe, with Mt. Washington in distance.

Tom H. and friends on Mt. Eisenhower with Mt. Washington farther in the distance.

Mt. Webster, with Mt. Washington very far in the distance.

This Google Map shows all the peaks.