January 2008 Archives

I wish my blog got that kind of traffic.

Actually, maybe I don't.

The blog I'm talking about here is a new one launched yesterday by our friends (??) at the Transportation Security Administration. I guess the idea is to combat all the bad PR they've gotten in the past few years, most of which spread by word-of-mouth, as people waited in long lines. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

Anyway, in case you have an air travel planned in the coming weeks or months, here's the link: www.tsa.gov/blog

I sure hope I don't feel the need to leave a comment there anytime soon.

As my friend Laura and I were talking about our upcoming trip to Argentina, she suggested we find out what shots we'd need to get beforehand.

Shots?

The last time I got immunizations for travel was in 1998, before I spent the summer in Venezuela. Since then, I've traveled in Ecuador (twice) and Mexico (four times). I never got any shots and never had any problems.

But I'd rather be safe than sorry, so I figured I'd go and get whatever was recommended for Argentina.

The confusing part is that the recommendations vary. Some say I should also get a yellow fever shot if I'm going to visit Iguazu Falls on the Brazil border. Others recommend anti-malaria and dengue meds. I don't know which are most important. The ones that seem standard are Hep A and typhoid.

Then they told me that it would cost upwards of $200 just for the office visit, Hep A and typhoid . And it likely wouldn't be covered by my health insurance.

Now, I'm not so sure.

I know they figure if people can afford to take an international trip, they should be able to afford the vaccinations out of their pocket as well. But in my case, this is something I've been saving for for a while and budgeting carefully. The vaccinations part took me by surprise. And Hep A is something that pops up now and then here in the United States, so it's considered part of your routine immunizations (like influenza, MMR, etc.).

Seeing as I'm only a little more than two weeks from my departure date, I need to make a decision soon because the shots need some time to build up in your system.

I keep going back and forth whether to spend the money and get the shots or not bother and take my chances, as I have done before.

What do you think? Any recommendations?

John and Jane Bailey, owners of Bailey Travel in York, visited Sequoia National Park last week and took this picture at General Sherman -- the largest tree in the world. It is estimated to be more than 2,000 years old.

John writes that there was about 4 feet of snow on the ground.

Travel tip: Take your time. The park lodge is 7,000 feet above sea level and 25 miles from the park entrance. It took them an hour and a half to get there because of switchbacks and a 10-20 mph speed limit.

Paul Thomas and Margaret Becker of Hanover took their twin grandchildren, Cameron and Morgan Kenworthy, 11, on a four-day cruise to Nassau in November as an early Christmas gift. Margaret said it was wonderful being together, enjoying lots of food and fun. She said she would do it again in a heartbeat.

Travel tip: Make sure you really love the ones you’re with because the cabins are very small and it can be a challenge trying to move around.

Do you ever feel stressed about a vacation?

I know it sounds weird, but I do. Actually, I should say I am starting to -- right now.

I leave for two weeks in Argentina on Feb. 17.

I can't wait. But at the same time, I'm stressed. Stressed about all the things I need to finish at work before I leave. Stressed about all the things I need to do to prepare for my trip before leaving. Stressed about how far behind I'll be at work when I return. And how many hours it will take me to get through my e-mail inbox and respond to or otherwise deal with each message.

It has occured to me that this may be why many Americans do not take all their vacation time. I am starting to understand. But this is one trap I will not allow myself to fall into.

Repeat after me:

I WILL NOT BE A WORKAHOLIC AMERICAN OBSESSED WITH PRODUCTIVITY.

I WILL NOT BE A WORKAHOLIC AMERICAN OBSESSED WITH PRODUCTIVITY.

Does anybody else think it strange that we here in the United States call ourselves "Americans"?

Why aren't we "United Statesians"?

Wouldn't that be more accurate, considering there are tons of people who live in the Americas (North and South) who aren't residents of the United States?

Maybe it would help everyone in the Americas fell more united, despite the differences in language and culture.

Then again, maybe not. But it couldn't hurt.

These are the things I think about when I'm driving to work.

Passages Inn Gettysburg is offering a special two-night package during the month of February. For $170, two guests receive the following:
*A two-night stay in a room with a queen-size bed
*Gourmet breakfast each morning
*A tour of the town
*The "Freedom Lies Just North" self-drive underground railroad tour of rural Adams County with local historian and author Debra McCauslin. The tour allows visitors to stand in the footsteps of what was once a thriving black community and learn how local Quakers sheltered escaping slaves on their way to freedom.

For details, call 717-334-7010 or visit www.passagesinngettysburg.com.

If you tried to take the travel personality quiz in this post from a week or so ago and found that the link didn't work, please try again. I've fixed it. Apologies.

One of my favorite singers, the queen of salsa (music, not what you eat with Tostitos), has had an exhibit dedicated to her life, her career and her music since 2005.

For a while, it was right down the road in D.C. Yet somehow, I missed it. Now, this story from USA Today tells me it's in San Antonio.

Damn.

Guess I'll have to wait till it comes through NYC and catch it there.

First of all, I know I'm a bit of a geography nerd. You don't need to post a comment and tell me so.

I have to know where I'm situated at any given time relative to the cardinal directions and topographical features such as mountains, river, Route 30, etc. (you get the point).

Maps are my friends.

GPS? Not so much. Not enough context for me.

One summer in middle school, my parents should have guessed something was seriously wrong with me when I spent hours pouring through National Geographic magazines and trying to memorize every fact I could find about other countries. When I didn't win the local geography bee that year, I was devastated.

Anyway, I've moved on from that low point, but my fascination with other countries and cultures hasn't disappeared. Hence my latest obsession.

The Lancaster Civil War Round table will sponsor a tour of General "Stonewall" Jackson's Shenandoah Valley led by former National Park Service chief historian Edwin C. Bearss June 20 to 22.

Cost is $399 per person/double occupancy, $476 single occupancy. The price includes round-trip motorcoach transportation from Lancaster, guide services, two nights' lodging, all admission fees, two continental breakfasts, three lunches, two dinners, tips, taxes and gratuities.

For details, visit the organization's Web site here, or call Micky Kraft at 392-4976.

January means:

The Christmas tree is sitting out for the trash.

You've already broken/worn out/returned whatever gifts Santa brought.

Without all the holiday parties and family gatherings, your social life is a little sparse.

There's really nothing to look forward to. Except spring, which is months away. Or Valentine's Day, if you're into that.

What's a soul to do?

I came across this Plog Travel Personality Quiz, which can tell you -- based on your responses to a page of questions -- what type of traveler you are.

If you've run out of faces to put on your dartboard, may I offer a suggestion...

Richard Arens.

I don't know what this guy looks like, but I know that anyone who pushes the price of crude oil past $100 a barrel for the attention and "just to see if he could" deserves a dart in the brian.

Talk about greed and power-tripping.

Apparently, the guy runs a one-man oil brokerage, so filling up his own gas tank probably doesn't hurt. But I'd like him to meet someone who is having to choose between filling their gas tank to drive to work and medical appointments and putting food on the table for their family.

What do you think?

Here's a link to the news story.