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10 Easy Steps to Become a Francophile

By on October 2, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

Fran•co•phile [frang-kuh-fahyl]

1. Friendly to or having a strong liking for France or the French.

2. A person who is friendly to or has a strong admiration of France or the French.

 

Recently, I posed a random question out into the twittersphere: “What language do you wish you spoke fluently?” An extensive and enlightening convo resulted. The consensus was French. Why? What is it about France?  Is it the hot French teacher we had in high school with the sexy accent? Is it that French is the language of love? In response to the unified desire to become more French, we have come up with the 1000 Fight’s 10 step program to become a certified Francophile.  Go grab your beret, some Foie gras and a glass of Chateau something-or-other and lets begin. Step one:

1-Attitude

How many Frenchmen does it take to change a light bulb?

Anwser: One. He holds the bulb and all of Europe revolves around him.  — Author unknown

French attitude is world renowned and refined as its fine wine. To develop a little of the French outlook on life: Limeys and Yanks are to be despised! They are the great culturally unwashed. Key to being a true Francofile you must develop a healthy belief that France is the place that everyone wished they lived. One down nine to go.

2-Parlay-vue fran-say

I was told once, “Anyone interesting must speak French.” Entry into the elite Frano-club requires a command of the language of love.  According to our friends at Wikipedia, only 5% of the world’s population can speak French.  Must learn it to love it.  Start learning today!  Je souhaite que nous nous battions!

 

3-Become a Foodie Snob

The French do a lot of things well: building Eiffel Towers, kissing, and writing beatnik poetry, but one of their best contributions to humanity is their honed skill in the culinary arts.  The French love really great grub.

French food is definitively a cut above. There are over 5000 restaurants in the city of Paris alone! Some historians even believe that the concept of restaurant-ing was developed in France. Whether you are a fan of crème brulee, crêpes (YUM!), quiche, or even brandade de morue- you must have an opinion. In a millisecond, you must decipher if your Aligot is made with Tommee cheese or not. Good luck with that.

4-Un Nouveau Nom

Let’s face the facts. Names like Hank, Mark and Martha are just not going to cut it. To make the complete Franco conversion, you must take on a new moniker. Names like Gerrard, Jean-Pierre, Marie-Élise are ideal. You need lots of hyphens and lots of lines over vowels to be considered a true convert.

5-Get Your Chic On

Fashion is a tricky one. Unique rules apply to both men and women. Hommes- go dig into your wife’s closet and find all of her Clam diggers. Anything that leaves two to three inches of skin between the shoe line and the hem. Style! Femmes- attire must have interesting larva and antenna sticking out at unique places.

6-Master the PDA

This is another fun step to practice. The French aren’t exactly shy about expressing their romantic affections in public. You must “make out” in parks, on the subway, at cafés, on the bus, getting off the bus, and in line for the bus.

While taking pictures of the pyramid at the Louvre during one of our recent trips and in the back ground, an amorous couple were going at it.  I guess the pyramid wasn’t all that interesting. Go for it! Its research.

7-Know How to Ride a Bike in a Skirt and High Heels

Yep. Easier said than done:

8-Limit Productive Work to 4 Hours Per Month

For most of you this may be the most difficult step. Try you must. Take out your calendar. Take out four months for summer break. Take out another 4 months for winter break. There are three weeks of national holidays in France, so take out another month to be on the safe side. Set aside a month to be on strike due to overburden of the work schedule. There you are. (This should be the easy step. Viva le France!)  Life is meant to be lived not worked.

9-Know Your French Geography

French tend to love all things French. What could be more French than France? You must know how nice it is in Nice. You must know where to take ski holidays in France.  Take the time to get outside Paris and see the French countryside.  Spend a holiday in the French Alps.  With all of this new found vacation time in step 8, you will have plenty of time.  Bon Voyage!

10-Get Some Je ne Sais Quois

Even after completing steps listed above, the final and most important step is developing some je ne sais quois. What is that “certain something?” Where do you buy that certain something? What school do you attend to hone those skills? I don’t know. I am still stuck on step six.  You are on your own.

 

That’s it! 10 easy steps to becoming a certified Francophile. They say the ultimate compliment is emulation. So France, we salute you and your snails. Did we miss anything? Can you offer any great hints on connecting with your inner Franco-ish-ness? Leave a pithy comment below.

Find some New Zeal!…. in New Zealand

By on September 28, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

Lying in a seemingly distant corner of the globe, even further south than the vast and beautiful Australia, New Zealand is a diverse country with so much to see and to enjoy. The two main islands which make up the country are themselves profoundly different landmasses: the North Island is warmer, with sandy beaches on the coast and rolling farmland further inland, whilst the South Island offers spectacular mountains and fjords, large glaciers and forests. The surrounding smaller islands meanwhile are a wild collection of remote windswept and sometimes uninhabited spots.

Known widely as ‘The City of Sails’, Auckland is the largest and most populous area of New Zealand, with over a million people living in the metropolitan area. On the banks of the Waikato River is the verdant and plush Hamilton, about eighty miles south of Auckland, and home to two of the country’s foremost sports teams – the Chiefs (super 14 rugby) and the Magic (ANZ cup netball). Visit Wellington meanwhile, and you’ll get to see the national Parliament as well the incredible Te Papa museum.

Elsewhere in the North Islands, the Bay of Islands is well worth a visit. In the centre of the island you’ll find Taupo, a great spot where you can enjoy all kinds of adventure activities and fun and games, not to mention try your hand at a bit of trout fishing.

On the South Island is Queeenstown, where adrenalin junkies come from all over to try their hand at skydiving, bunjee-jumping, jet-boating, and all manner of exciting thrills and spills. Christchurch meanwhile is known as The Garden City, as well as being the gateway for New Zealand to Antarctica and the South Islands.

The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is a truly stunning area on the South Island, offering visits the chance to hike across a spectacular landscape as well as climb New Zealand’s highest mountain. Milford South meanwhile is another well-known spot, a beautiful fiord in Fiordland National Park.

Wherever you head, New Zealand offers so much for its visitors that you’ll have to save enough time to enjoy it all.

 

I know what you did this summer!

By on September 27, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

We asked a few of our couple travel blogging friends: “so what did you do this summer?” We were stunned by what we got back! Everything from warm beaches of the Blue Lagoon Resort in Fiji to a scenic 12 mile “stroll” that ended in a couple fight! Yay! Granted, fall is quickly approaching for us on the top of the ball, its not too early to start your plans for next year. If you cant wait that long, at the bottom of the rock summer is just getting started!

 

Peter and Dalene

www.hecktictravels.com/

When boarding our flight to Brussels, Belgium, we waited in line behind a guy wearing a dog-collar with spikes, metal plates on his shoes and horns coming out of his nose. We started chatting to him about his city, and he immediately warned to be careful when going out at night – that Brussels was becoming increasingly dangerous.

A scary first impression, we thought. And after our first few days, we realized he spoke the truth – sort of. Brussels is definitely dangerous, but only for your waistline.

Apart from the beautiful architecture, Brussels is known for its gastronomy. We feasted on beer, their national dish of frites with mayonnaise, mussels, a wide variety of international cuisine, and of course, their heavenly chocolate. Never mind that when strolling through it’s streets, the aroma of fresh waffles is constantly in the air. It’s a foodie and beer connoisseur’s paradise!

 1000Fights: Ok, we are hungry now!  Those waffles look to die for!

 

Emanuele and Romana

www.thesiracusas.com/

When the summer kicked in in the northern hemisphere we were in Fiji. Technically it was winter time there, but as you can imagine you couldn’t tell, tropical weather is tropical weather, after all. The fijian trip was the final part of our 8 months round-the-world trip, so we were going there to take it easy, enjoy the tropical paradise experience, prepare psychologically for our homecoming and also celebrate our second wedding anniversary.

The quest for our dream island was over when we landed in Nacula, at the Blue Lagoon resort. Because of the amazing white sand, the beautiful crystal-clear waters and the friendly resort staff, we decided to stay at Blue Lagoon more than initially planned. The management also gave us a deluxe seafront villa (with no extra cost!) as a present for our second wedding anniversary. We were also given the opportunity to visit the local village and the school, getting an insight into the locals’ life. I can assure you, the day we left Nacula, and the Blue Lagoon resort, was a sad day!

 1000Fights:  Congrats on your second anniversary.  We wish you many happy years and fights as well!  The closest we have gotten to Fiji is drinking their water from the gas station.  Someday!

 

 

Erica and Shaun

www.OverYonderlust.com

Our favorite place that we visited this summer was Tulum, Mexico. We were blown away by some of the most spectacular beaches we have ever seen. This was also offset by the Tulum ruins which are placed on the sides of cliffs looking over the sea. The city is so incredibly laid back that we felt right at home. We even ended up hanging out there two separate times on our trip!

This location also rocks because we were also able to make day trips to to the neighboring Akumal, Mexico for our fix of the best fried fish tacos with fresh mango salsa we had ever had the pleasure of inserting into our mouths at Lucy’s Kitchen. About 50 feet away you can snorkel with sea turtles munching on sea grass right off of the beach. Bring your own gear and you can swim out to them yourself. Huzzah for free activities!

1000Fights:  Sounds amazing.  Lucy’s kitchen?  I think that is the only way we can get Luci of 1000Fights into a kitchen!

 

Betsy and Warren

www.marriedwithluggage.com

This summer we spent 5 weeks in Edinburgh, Scotland. We fell in love with the place, the people, and the real ale. Scots really do have more fun than everyone else, and we were lucky to make some good friends and have some fun adventures during our time there. We climbed munros, learned how to retell ancient stories to entertain a crowd in the dark upper room of an old pub, ate local specialties like shortbread and haggis and tasted the abundant varieties of whisky. We also had an epic fight during a 12-mile walk along a scenic canal – at the start, of course – and made some pretty good breakthroughs in our relationship during the remaining 11.5 miles. We’ll definitely return to Scotland to explore the Highlands and enjoy some real ale and whisky with good friends, but we will probably skip the haggis (and hopefully another epic fight).

1000Fights: DARN!!  Dont give up the fights!

 

Doesn’t all of these sound like fun!  Thanks you guys for sharing some great ideas for summer fun.   Couples take note, pick one of these or a place of your choice, put aside a little cash over the next few months.  Dont let another summer get by without going to place of your dreams.

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.

Dr. Suess

 

 

5 Must Have Pieces For Big City Travel

By on August 1, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

5 Must Have Pieces For Big City Travel

Guest post by: Lindsay Carreiro, Fashionista’s Travel Editor

Heading to a “big” city this summer?  You’ll want to be prepared, not just mentally but physically too.  Style runs cities like New York, Paris, London, Rome and fitting in doesn’t just mean buying everything they sell. It is so easy to spot a tourist, especially an American.  So if your ready to trade in what “you call style” then take along with you these 5 pieces of clothing/accessories that will help you fit in with out standing out.

 1. Lets just dive right in shall we and talk about the most dredged word in fashion history FANNYPACKS.  I completely understand the logistics of fannypacks.  I do not understand why they have to be so hideous!  Now don’t get me wrong back in 1992 when they were all the rage, yours truly owned a fluorescent pink one, but lets just say I have learned from my mistakes.  So if you are the type of person that likes having their items close to their body here are two suggestions that should get rid of fannypacks forever:

Messenger Bags: They wrap around your body, keeping your hands free.  Practically every company on the planet makes one, so finding one shouldn’t be an issue.  We like messenger bags by Vera Bradley and Coach.
Backpacks: I’m not talking about lugging around your LL Bean backpack from High School, I’m talking about much smaller backpacks that are also fashionable.  We like backpacks by Prada, Vera Bradley, and Bellino Luciano (at Walmart).

2. Comfortable shoes are a must on any trip, being a Fashionista we are not immune to the need of these items.  However there is a difference between comfortable and ratty.  We all have those ratty sneakers or shoes that are so comfortable we don’t dare throw them away, these should NOT be packed on any trip.  If you’re looking for comfort and style try these two that are perfect for any weather:

Boots: Such as knit boots, riding boots, something with a flat sole that will look good with several pairs of pants.  You can tuck in skinny jeans or straight leg stretchy pants or simply wear boot cut pants over the boots.  Either way you’ve got a nice looking shoe that’s easy to get around in.  We like boots by Ugg and Target.

Gladiator sandals: This is one sandal that everyone can pull off.  The wrappings around the ankle provide support and they are easy to go from jeans, shorts, to dresses.  Making it easier to only pack a few pairs of shoes.  We like gladiator sandals by JC Penny and Nine West.

Gladiator Sandals

3. You always need a dressy dress for your travels, especially big city traveling.  We find the best travel friendly dresses are those made of cotton and jersey knits.  Stick with darker colors, they hide the dirt better and almost always look dresser.  If you pair different accessories with this dress then you can get away with wearing it more often.  We like dresses by Old Navy, Target, and Nordstrom.

4. Sweaters are a girls best friend.  It doesn’t matter where I am traveling too I ALWAYS pack a sweater. In particular a boyfriend sweater (no this isn’t a sweater I stole from my boyfriend) this is a style that is longer and usually hits about your hip or longer.  It tends to be dresser then your average cardigan sweater.  You will want to stick with basic colors such as black, white, red, it is easier to match with these colors.  These sweaters also look great with dresses and pants; they are perfect for layering.  We like boyfriend sweaters by Old Navy.

 

5. Pants and shorts are a must for all seasons especially when traveling and you are unsure of the weather.  The perfect pant for traveling is one that has a little bit of stretch to it. Such as a skinny jean, legging, or stretch khaki or corduroy.  They give a bit when walking around and make for a more comfortable bus or plane ride.  Now as far as shorts go, this can be tricky.  If you are planning on wearing your shorts walking around a city but then also out to dinner you want to stick with a basic rule, your shorts should hit about 1 or 2 inches above your knee, depending on how tall you are.  These type of shorts almost always look dresser then “short shorts” and they are easy to go from a causal activity to a nice dinner.  We like pants and shorts by Old Navy, Levis, and Macy’s.

The goal when it comes to fashion and style is to take what your comfortable in and just extend it.  For example everyone is comfortable in stretch pants so why not buy a stretchy jean instead of sweatpants.  You don’t need to run out and buy all the new clothes in the cities you’re visiting.  Especially if its something you’ve never worn before your uncomfortableness is going to stick out like a sore thumb.  We would never tell anyone to change the way they dress just for traveling.  Being yourself with a few of these minor changes will not only help you feel better about the way you look but you might just get mistaken for a local.

1000Fights:  Thanks a ton Lindsay!  Some great ideas for us that are “fashion challenged”.  Visit her site!  Do you have a great fashion suggestion for taking on the big city?  Let us know!  Please leave a chic comment below.

 

Lindsay Carreiro, is Fashionista’s Travel Editor

 

 

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Fighting the urge to Fight

By on April 12, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

A timely and insightful guest post from our friend Scott:

How to Avoid Fighting Abroad

It sounds funny, doesn’t it? A website dedicated to fighting with your spouse on holiday, and we go and commission a blog that’s all about trying to keep the peace between each other abroad. While going on holiday with your partner can be great fun, but it can also be very stressful, especially if things don’t go exactly according to plan, but there are ways that you can stay on good terms with each other whilst you’re on holiday.

Talk

“But we talk to each other all the time!” We hear you cry. Well, tough, you’re just going to have to talk some more to each other, and this doesn’t have to a chore, it can be surprisingly difficult to tell the person you love how you really feel, but it can also be very easy to spill your guts out to one another and tell them everything, but please, we all need everything in moderation; so quite simply, if you encounter a problem on holiday, such as losing belongings, talk or scream it out then and there.

Listen

Talking is half the battle, and we all know that if you’re talking but not being listened to, then you can feel like you’re speaking to a brick wall. Talking is no good if your significant other isn’t paying attention, so you’ll need to find a way to make them listen, the method is of course, up to you, but if you find a method that works for the pair of you, then use it, as long as neither of you have resorted to violence.

Have Fun

Travelling isn’t a right, it’s a privilege and no matter where you go, what you do or how long you’re going to be there for, it’s vital that you have some fun whilst you’re there. Look at what you both want to do and see if it’s possible to incorporate both your ideas into it, that’s right, it’s time to compromise. It’s also good to spend some time apart, so whether you’re on your dream Spain Holiday then do what you want to do for a few hours one day – you’ll be amazed at how much this works.

1000fights:  great ideas Scott!  You are so right, the key is communication.  So many misunderstanding come from couples not communicating effectively.  Cheers!

The 3 most romantic spots in the world

By on February 8, 2011 in General

Ok..Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and we get asked a lot…  “What is the most romantic spot that you guys have ever been?”  What exactly makes a location romantic?  What is that “je ne sais quoi” that makes one place better than another?  Obviously, the key ingredient is the one you’re with. The sights, sounds and environs can also be spices that make the recipe work.   So many come to mind, but we narrowed it down to three.  Undoubtedly there are zillion other places on this green/blue globe that are amazing…we just haven’t been there yet.

So what was important to us in selecting these locations?  Our first criterion is that we have experienced them first hand.  Love tested; Love approved.  Anyone that knows us…knows that we have a tendency to fight.  So our locations must be unanimous picks.  (Not as easy as it sounds).  Lastly, we took Paris out the running.  Why?  Every other blogger is writing sappy and lovey-dovey posts as we speak about the “City of Love.” Paris is remarkable, read the other blogs…after reading ours :)  Our last criterion is there must be some sort of magical/mystic quality about the location.  The three places we picked all have magic.

Villa il Poggiale, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy-

How could we use the word romantic without pulling Italy in somehow?  The Villa is a quaint and somewhat difficult to find, a short drive from Florence Italy.   Is this the nicest most expensive B & B in Tuscany?  No, not by a long shot.  And maybe that’s what makes this place so special?  You are not going to break the bank to say a weekend or even a week here.  It is located smack dab in the rolling green hills of Tuscany.  Take a walk down the gravel road behind the Villa, basking in the hills and scenery of Tuscany.  You’ll feel miles away from anywhere. What makes the magic of this place?  It is the little road behind it.  Ok…Luci is a huge fan of the movie, “A Room with a View.”   At one point in this chick Flick, the main characters take an afternoon ride in the Tuscan countryside.  We are convinced that they came to Villa il Poggiale.  It takes you back to old Italy.  The B & B is quaint.  Yes, it does have a humble pool overlooking a vineyard.  It has the cypress trees lining the drive as you come into the property. And, yes the owners are just about the coolest people in all of old Italy.    This place is magical for the dramatic setting…humble accommodations…and five star sunsets.

Now that’s Amore!

Marin Headlands-

Located just across the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the remnants of the fighting days WWII.  (Maybe that’s why we like it so much?)  It harbors a network of abandoned war bunkers facing the Bay.  Drive up along the tops of the hills overlooking the city, the Bay and the Pacific Ocean.  What makes this place so special are the views, and the fog.  For some meteorological reason, this place has the strangest weather.  Often, you are above the fog, and just the tippy tops of the Golden Gate poke through and then the city lights illuminate the fog and it appears to been a golden blanket of cotton balls.  At other times the fog rolls down the hills like water.  There are a number of secluded beaches, a lighthouse, and many fragrant eucalyptus groves along the headlands.  Pack a lunch and take a hike through the trails that go between each of the war bunkers…take a horse ride down to a beach or through a forest.  So many options!

Bring a blanket to snuggle with!

Sirheni Bushveld Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa—

Kruger Park is one of the largest public game reserves in all of Africa.  South Africa has preserved this corner of its county to celebrate wildlife including lions, hippos, elephants, and cheetahs. Now, there are different levels of camps and lodges within Kruger Park.  Similar to the location above, Sirheni is not the lap of luxury by any stretch of the imagination.  You even have to do your own cooking!  We found the accommodations at Sirheni the best in our Kruger experience. The camp is a collection of modern one bedroom condo-ish looking structures, which have huge back porches overlooking the Sirheni Dam, on the Mghongolo River.  Your back porch is a water hole and views and access are unmatched. As we sat on the back porch we heard a rumble of cracking brush and trees and elephants walked past our porch just 20 feet away.  At one point we literally stood a couple of feet away from several elephants.  The layout of the 20 or so bungalows is well done to create an isolated feel.  As the sun sets, you can watch animals take a drink or cool off from the hot African sun and you enjoy your own beverage of choice or cook a slab of beef on the bbq provided.  In the distance you will hear elephants splashing and hippos whistling.

We share these three locations as our recommended romantic locales…so where would you recommend?  Did we miss the best place?

A Zanzibar Holiday!

By on January 27, 2011 in General

Why to choose a Zanzibar beach holiday?

Beach holidays are an essential part of many people’s year. They give you a chance to relax, unwind and soak up some beautiful weather by stunning scenery. Beach holidays are ideal for those with children, couples, groups of friends or even solo travelers.

Zanzibar is a beach holiday resort rapidly growing in popularity. Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania in East Africa set by the Indian Ocean. The Island has become incredibly popular due to its fabulous beaches and stunning coral reefs.

 

One of the key criteria any holiday maker looks for is gorgeous weather.

Zanzibar is set near to the equator meaning it has a warm climate all year round. Unlike many other beach holiday destinations, Zanzibar does not get uncomfortably hot during the summer months. The islands hot weather during its summer is cooled by a refreshing breeze meaning holiday makers can comfortably sunbathe and visit tourist attractions during the day.

Zanzibar has some of the most glorious beaches in the world. Beaches throughout the island are white, sandy and clean making them ideal for sunbathing and exploring. A trip to the beach is a tranquil and peaceful affair as beaches are largely untouched and unspoilt by tourists. A visit to the beach is also an ideal way of experiencing some East African culture.

Between beaches are quaint, picturesque fishing villages where the locals live life at a relaxing pace. Locals are friendly meaning you can immerse yourself in the culture of the island. The waters of Zanzibar are an ideal diving destination with fantastic coral reefs and warm waters. If you fancy mixing a relaxing beach break with some scuba diving adventure, Zanzibar is one of the best locations you will find.

Zanzibar beach holidays are accentuated by the fantastic local food on offer in the region. In Zanzibar you can relax and take in the rays during the day then go out for a mouth-watering meal in the evening. Local food is mostly based around seafood and you can find a large number of delicious seafood buffets across the island. Ingredients are sourced locally; often you will see men and women on bikes delivering freshly caught fish.

Zanzibar beach holidays are often combined with Kenya safari holidays. Kenya safaris make a trip of a lifetime. Kenya is home to some of the most magnificent wildlife in the world. Game drives are regularly scheduled and hosted by knowledgeable local guides. You can stay in a range of accommodation from luxury lodges to eco friendly tents.

You can find tours starting with Kenya safaris and ending in a well deserved break at a Zanzibar beach resort for very reasonable prices. This is a perfect way to combine wildlife and adventure with the relaxation of Zanzibar beaches. Both are highlights of any trip to Eastern Africa and can comfortably fit into one trip to the area. . Most Kenya safari holidays and Zanzibar tours last for approximately 12 days meaning you can easily fit them in to a hectic work schedule. Zanzibar beach holidays make a refreshing change from typical beach holidays packed full of tourists. Combine your beach holiday with Kenya safaris for a trip you will never forget.

The Hottest Travel blogger of 2010?

By on January 5, 2011 in General

Congrats to our friend Keith!  http://www.traveling-savage.com

“A hunter, oft-stubbled and bleary-eyed, driven by an insatiable hunger for exploration and experience – and perhaps a chance to thin the herd of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. From distant locales around the world to local spots in the neighborhood, I recount the triumphs, trials, and tribulations of life on the road and in the new.”-http://www.traveling-savage.com

Keith writes an impressive blog.  He delivers very tight writing and catchy and timely topics.  He is as widely traveled as any adventure blogger out there.  I think what makes his site the most interesting is his personal story.  His compelling story of how he came to the road makes for a good read.  We highly, highly recommend following his blog and twitter feed.

Twitter:  @travelingsavage

Congrats Keith!

The Winners of our Hot Travel Hubby and Travel Diva!

By on December 1, 2010 in General

Congrats!

The votes have been counted!  Congrats to out 2010 Travel Diva

Katrina of Patick & Katrina Do the Globe

Patrick and Katrina feature trip reports and touring tips from two travel obsessed newlyweds.  They have   Check out their great adventures!

A huge thanks to all of our Travel Diva nominees!

Nicole—www.travelingcanucks.com

Lucie—www.thevagabondadventures.com

Mary—maryandseansadventuresabroad.blogspot.com

And our 2010 Hottest Travel Hubby is Greg from Follow our Footsteps.

Greg and Ash have traveled the globe and share their unique perspective of the sights and sounds of far reached locales.  Their blog is chock full of fun Youtube videos with interesting facts on locations.  Visit their blog at Follow our Footsteps.

A huge thanks to all of our Hot Hubby nominees!

Randy—www.beersandbeans.com

Craig—www.ytravelblog.com

Rhys—www.2nomads1narrative.com

Soweto

By on October 15, 2010 in General

Soweto-  (SOuth WEstern TOwnships)

The site was the theatre for deadly clashes that started the dominos falling to the end of Apartheid.   Candidly, on the visible surface, not much has changed in the 2010 version of the Soweto.  Poverty still rules the day.  Opportunity is no longer limited but an oppressive government, but it is a difficult road to travel.  Access to healthcare, education and clean water is not as plentiful as your would expect.

Main streets are lined with open air butchers, abandoned cars, and pick up soccer games.   Our guide took us to see an African “natural medicine market” located just outside of the Soweto.

The now abandoned twin nuclear cooling towers have been converted into a tourist attraction.  I understand that they filmed a location of “The Amazing Race” here.  Stretched between the two concrete towers is a bungee jumping facility.  We were on a tight schedule and were unable to check it out.

We spent nearly a full day in the Soweto area, and came away with more questions than answers.  We counted a significant number of Mercedes and BMWs coming and going in the neighborhoods.  We saw well dressed folks coming and going.  We saw clearly malnourished kids wandering among cardboard and tin shantys.  There was a government employee strike during our visit and the large hospital at the hear of the area was completely empty.  It was heavily fortified by the military.  Where did the patients go?  We understood that locals that attempt to volunteer during the strike are attacked.

So many difficult questions.  No easy answers.

Our impression of the Soweto was dramatically different than our visit to Swaziland.  The Swazi situation felt hopeless.  The Soweto again presented a constant dichotomy.  It appeared like some had found the escape hatch from desperation.