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How to “Mind the Gap!” Our Hints for Getting Around London

By on August 6, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

 

How to “Mind the Gap”

For those of us from the “former colonies” getting around London can be a bit formidable.   With the Olympic Games just around the corner, we figured we could offer a few tips to help those first timers.  We are ashamed to say, our first visit to the “Island”, we were a little naive.  We though, we will just rent a car and drive around the city and see all the sites.  Everything will be fine.  Wrong!  We learned a few things that we want to pass along to you.

1)      Weather-Lets start with the basics.  London has crumby weather.  It rains a ton.  It is cold. It can be miserable.  Likewise, it can be beautiful.  The key is, the weather can be extremely unpredictable.  What does that have to do with getting around?  It is key.  Whatever mode of transport you chose, that you consider this variable.  Taking the double decker bus around to see the town?  Not ever bus top has a nice little heated shelter to wait in.  intervals between buses can be sporadic.  Be prepared.

2)      The Tube—The London Underground is quite extensive, and extremely easy to use.  Step one is getting a good map.  Good maps are available at the airports, and in most of the tube terminals as well.  Each line has its own color, each stop is clearly signed and marked.

Step 2 is buying an Oyster card.  London Oyster cards can be used on all buses, trams, Tube, and nearly all British National Rail services.   You can buy one in advance from the British Tourist office on the interwebs.

Oyster is an electronic smartcard ticket. Simply touch your card on the yellow reader to get through the Tube gates or board other London public transport services. It doesn’t even need to be removed from your purse or wallet to work.  Cool huh?

So why do they call them Oysters?  We were wondering that too.   According to Andrew McCrum, now of Appella brand name consultants, who was brought in to find a name by high priced consultant Saatchi and Saatchi Design, Oyster was selected because of the metaphorical implications of security and value. There is also the connection with the hard bivalve shell and the concealed pearl; the association of London and the River Thames with oysters and the well-known travel-related idiom “the world is your oyster”.  Now you know.  We hear the transit card in Hong Kong is called the Octopus card.  Not sure why.  Ok…moving right along.

Mind the Gap–  Yah…you really need to!  When boarding Tube trains, you should be aware that there is generally a step of up to 8 inches (20cm), either up or down, between the platform and the train.   Our advice?  Mind the Gap.

A word about safety.  Just like anywhere else in the world, exercise caution in using public transit.  Avoid pulling a wad of cash out and begin to count it in front of a car load of passengers.  After dark stick to well lighted areas and if possible stay in areas where there are other people. Common sense stuff huh?  Again, purchasing an Oyster card will prevent you from having to pull out your wallet or purse each time your buy a ticket.  A really good idea that Oyster thing.

Crowds—Be warnded.  During rush hours there are going to be loads of people on the trains.  As a prepared traveler, use these hours to visit museums and to eat.

 

3)      Taxi—The London Taxi Scheme is the very, very best in the world.  Cabs in London are all Black with a for hire light on top.  They are very professional, highly trained drivers.  There know exactly were everything is.  With this perfection comes a cost.  London Taxi’s are also some of the world’s most expensive.  Be smart about your taxi use.  If you are going to see one of the museums, take the underground.  If you are looking for a obscure restaurant in an unfamiliar part of town.  Always take a taxi.

A word about taxi prices.  Fares are metered with a minimum charge of  £2.  Fares to and from London’s airports also have a surcharge.  Most cabs take credit and debit cards, ask your driver before you to too far down the road if the plastic is going to work.  Most have a minimum charge for credit cards and/or a small surcharge of a pound or less.  Tips are not expected, but most folks round up to the nearest pound.  If the driver is helpful with your luggage, it is typicall to add a pound per bag.

Are the taxi drivers really that good?  Yes.  “Before a taxi driver gets his Hackney Cab License he or she must pass a test called ‘The Knowledge’. This is a difficult test and requires the cabbie to know the streets of central London like the palm of their hand.

Taxi drivers in London undergo a demanding and arduous testing of their knowledge of the city, its daily traffic patterns and the fastest routes between locations. Estimates suggest that gathering the basic understanding needed to acquire The Knowledge involves a full-time year of study, absorbing the information provided by street maps and travelling around the city itself.”  http://london-taxi.taxiblog.co.uk/

Have a great trip to London Town!  Have another other really good tips for getting around?  Please leave a comment below and let us know.

 

 

This Post was sponsored by our friends at www.londonnights.com.   London nights can help you find a London Hotels or even tickets for a west end play.  Looking for areas covered by LondonNights?  Give them a try.

 

Adventures in Chinatown

By on July 28, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

 

I love Chinatowns.  I really do.  I am an egg:  white on the outside and yellow on the inside. Some of the best places to discover in our major American cities are their Chinatowns.  Chinatowns offer an affordable visit to another culture and country.  Taking a stroll down the busy streets offers the sights, sounds, tastes and flavors of the orient.  It is not to be missed!

Some of our favorite Chinatowns: Washington DC, Seattle, Vancouver, BC, San Francisco, LA, and Lima, Peru?!

To really enjoy Chinatowns we put together a few helpful hints:

1) Learn some Lingo

2) Check out the Art & Music Scene

3) Bings! (Chinese Dessert)

4) Hang out with the old guys!

5) Gwa-lious! (Our secrets to navigate a Chinese Fruit market)

Learn some lingo:

How to say hello in Chinese
Hello!

Learn some Chinese!  I can’t tell you how many times, flashing a little of my mandarin skills has gotten me some great authentic grub.  At one establishment in DC, I engaged the waiter on the quality of koi fish in the tank at the entry in Mandarin.  After seating us in a preferred section of the establishments, I attempted to order a fish dish. My selection was promptly rejected. “Something better for you”. That little clue to what I was presented to eat was an understatement.  So good!  A little preparation can result in a huge surprise. After engaging waiters and owners of establishments, bills have discreetly disappeared.  It is a Chinese tradition.

Some key words to help:

Hello- Ni Hao

Goodbye–sye gian

Tastes very good- Hen Hao Chur

Thank you– xia,xia

Art and Music

One of the greatest attractions in Chinatown is the art and music scene.  The Asian genre of art is 1000s of years in the making.  Chinatown festivals include “double ten” day (Oct. 10th), Chinese New Year (early spring), and many, many other regional celebrations.  These are great chances to expose yourself to Chinese Music and Art.

Wall art

Chinese pastorals of falling water, green steeps, and animals are amazing:

Ever wonder what those little square red things are on Chinese paintings?  They are the artist signature, as well as his teachers, as well as his teacher’s-teacher.  You get the idea.  Paintings with many red marks is a really good sign.

Pottery

Don’t know who Ming was or how he was awarded a dynasty, but they apparently made some really amazing pottery.

Music

Chinese Music started at the dawn of Chinese civilization with documents and artifacts providing evidence of a well-developed musical culture as early as the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC – 256 BC). Today, the music continues a rich traditional heritage in one aspect, while emerging into a more contemporary form at the same time.  (Wikipedia)

Take a quick listen to some of the most haunting Chinese Folk music:

Bings

Chinatown is a delight to all of the senses!  Not just sight and sounds, taste too!  We could delve into the many delicant dishs that you only find in  Chinatowns…but desserts are rare. With that said, there is one really good exception, “the bing.” Bings are pretty simple: shaved ice, condensed sweetened milk, and some fruit flavors syrups. In the more authentic dojos, you can get real fruit! A passion fruit bing on a hot day is nectar of the gods!

Have your ever tried one?

YUM!

 

Chinese Chat

I really love to talk to old people. I love to chat with stringy bearded, glassy eyed gentlemen. They typically hang out in parks, around a board game, or they surround a small table with an elaborate tea set. Some of most meaningful conversations I have had in my life have been with these wise stewards. Conversation topics have ranged from expected topics: Sino-American relations, contrasting the traditional Chinese method of education.  We also covered some remote topics including the healing power of green tea, the long term harm that comes from drink beverages with ice(?????) and a particularly long and involved discussions of the virtues of breast milk.  Travel slow. Take a hot afternoon to sit in the shade of a with one of these fellows and the world will be opened to you.

The fruit

Asian fruit is so good! Some of my faves: yellow watermelon, yu longs, mega grapefruits, passion fruit. Some of these are available at different parts of the world, but there is nothing like an Asian fruit market. While living in Southern Taiwan, every morning we headed to the fruit markets for breakfast. These farmers markets offer fleshy fruits that are difficult to describe. We must offer a warning…fruit markets are usually adjacent to meat markets. These stands are not intended for the faint in heart. If seeing various family pets, snakes, and rodents displayed for purchase in non-living status, this is not the place for you.

 

Chinatown on Twitter:

 @sfchinatown  (SFO)

@312Chinatown (Chicago)

@scidpda (Seattle)

@OurChinatown (New York)

@LondonChinatown (London)

What is your favorite Chinatown?  What makes it special to you?

Leave us a comment and let us know.

 

 

Fontainebleau: “The Better Versailles”

By on July 14, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

Ok, the title of this post is a pretty bold claim.  I can see the anger boiling in Francophile “purists” calling us  names in French and waving their hands at us.  But before you say ‘off with your head,’  let us make our case.  The throngs of people who flock to Versailles primarily seek:

1)       Over the top opulence

2)      A location steeped in history

3)      A chance to do some “royalty” lusting

4)       Connecting with your inner Cinderella

5)      A stroll in amazing gardens

6)      A little bit of saucy intrigue

The grand entrance to Fountianebleau

The grand entrance to Fountianebleau

 

With these qualifications in mind, we guarantee that Fontainebleau  beats Versailles on every count. A Palace Primer: The Palace of Fontainebleau (named after a fresh water spring in the area) is located 55 kms from the center of Paris, is one of the largest French royal châteaux. The palace is the work of many French monarchs, building on an early 16th century structure of Francis I.

The building is arranged around a series of courtyards. The city of Fontainebleau has grown up around the remainder of the Forest of Fontainebleau, a former royal hunting park. (Wikipedia)  Besides being one of the most important royal palaces throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, it is also an absolutely exquisite example of French Renaissance architecture. Down with Versailles!  Let the games begin!

1)     Over the top opulence.

The entry into the Palace sets the tone for the entire Fontainebleau experience.  The Courtyard, called the garden of goodbyes, referencing Napoleon’s farewell message to his loyal military legions before his first exile. The art, sculpture, and design of the palace is breathtaking.  The palace introduced to France,  the Italian Mannerist style in interior decoration and in gardens, and transformed them in the translation. The French Mannerist style of interior decoration of the 16th century is known as the “Fontainebleau style” as it combined sculpture, metalwork, painting, stucco and woodwork, and outdoors introduced the patterned garden parterre. (www.arthistoryspot)

One of the greatest things about Fontainebleau over Versailles is you are really able to drink deeply of the opulence.  With Fontainebleau, you are not shoulder to shoulder with a bazillion other rude and smelly people.  At times you are alone, giving you time to imagine what palace life would have been like. On our visit in May, we saw only 30-50 people inside. Also, most of the pictures we had seen on the Internet did not show the magnitude and size of the palace. It’s huge.     The Trinity Chapel : Exceptional for its frescos painted under Henri IV by Martin Fréminet, one of Michelangelo’s little-known emulators, the chapel holds the memory of Louis XV’s wedding with Marie Leszczinska in 1725 and of Louis Napoleon’s baptism, future Napoleon III in 1810

The Library of Fontainebleau One of Mike’s favorite rooms in the entire palace is the famous library of Fontainebleau.  Massive globes run down the center of the room.  It is easy to envision Nappy and his crew planning world domination.

2)     A location steeped in history

Like Versailles, Fontainebleau  has been the center of both war and peace.  Highlights include:

  • Preliminary negotiations, held before the 1763 Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Seven Years’ War, were at Fontainebleau.
  • Napoleon gave his famous “farewell” speech on April 20, 1814 on the steps before being exiled to Elba.
  • For the 1924 Summer Olympics, the Palace played host to the riding portion of the modern pentathlon event.
  • The Fontainebleau Schools started with the involvement of the United States in the First World War.  At the instigation of General Pershing — who wished to improve the quality of US military band music — Walter Damrosch, then conductor of the New York Philharmonic, was asked to organize a music school in the area.
  • During WWII Fontainebleau also hosted the general staff of the Allied Forces in Central Europe (Allied Forces Center or AFCENT) and the land forces command (LANDCENT); the air forces command (AIRCENT) was located nearby at Camp Guynemer.
  • In July and August 1946, the town hosted the Franco-Vietnamese Conference, intended to find a solution to the long-contested struggle for Vietnam’s independence from France, but the conference ended in failure.

3)  A chance to do some “royalty” lusting

In all, thirty-four sovereigns, from Louis VI, the Fat, (1081–1137) to Napoleon III (1808–1873), spent time at Fontainebleau.  Take that Versailles! Philip the Fair (who also died there), Henry III and Louis XIII were all born in this grand château.   Every queen and empress of France since Marie de Médici has slept in the gold-and-green Empress’s Bed Chamber; the gilded wood bed was built for Marie-Antoinette. She never slept here. She lost her head.  

Look for the Letters! The castle’s most famous room, the Galerie de François I both glorifies the king’s royal egotism and serves as a testament to his patronage of the arts. Peppered with “F”s, the royal fleur-de-lis, and François’s personal salamander emblem, the gallery boasts vivid mythological frescoes glorifying François’s line and French royalty. Meanwhile, Henri II’s legacy pervades throughout ballroom; note the “H”s for Henri, and the entwined “C’”s for his wife Catherine de Medici—(which could also be “D”s for Diane de Poitiers, his mistress.)  Think of the couple fights back then!  It was here that Richelieu was knighted and the Duc d’Orleans (Louis-Philippe’s son) was wed in 1837.  (Lets go guide) Take that Sun Palace!

Fontainebleau is most known as was a favorite retreat for Napoleon. Bonaparte had two bedrooms, though he rarely slept: the first, a monument to both his narcissism and eroticism, is sandwiched between two mirrors, while the second is more austere, containing a narrow military bed.  Napoleon, in all his humility, outfitted the Throne Room with maroon and gold.  Today it is the only existing throne room in France that is still furnished.

 

5)     A stroll in amazing gardens

Be prepared to have your breath taken away.  The gardens and grounds of the Palace may be a slight step down in their manicured status, but Fontainebleau makes up for it in so many other ways. Just steps away from the palace is a scene out of a romance novel.  In the middle of the lake you can see this royal pavilion.  You could just picture stepping back in time with royalty in their finery taking walks in the fine gardens and having afternoon tea admiring the beautiful gardens.  Luci and sat lakeside for an hour without seeing another soul.  Try doing that the V-Palace!   Highlights beyond the lake include the Queen’s Garden and the lovely English Garden.

6)     A little bit of saucy intrigue

What would a palace be but with a little court intrigue?  The Palace at Fontainebleau is different. Highlights:

  • Part of America started here.  The 1762 Treaty of Fontainebleau, a secret agreement between France and Spain concerning the Louisiana territory in North America, was concluded here.
  • The Pope in Prison.  On 20 June 1812, Pope Pius VII arrived at the château of Fontainebleau, after a secret transfer from Savona, accompanied by his personal physician, Balthazard Claraz. In poor health, the pope was the prisoner of Napoleon, and he remained in his genteel prison at Fontainebleau for nineteen months. From June 1812 until 23 January 1814, the pope never left his apartments.
  • Truth or Dare!  The artist Madonna refers in her song “Secret Garden” from the album Erotica to it being located somewhere in Fontainebleau.

No contest!  Fontainebleau is the victor!

Seriously, regardless if you are a Napoleon groupie like Mike or a principled princess like Luci, Fontainebleau is a must see on your next visit to Paris.  Have questions?  Wanna know any tips about seeing the property?  Wanna know what we did for an hour by the lake?  Contact us and we will tell you most of the answers! How to get there: We took the train from Gare de Lyon in Paris. It was a nice train ride, about an hour. We started to worry. Because the train stop doesn’t say Fountainbleu. We were about to get off and go the other way,when the announcer said “Fountainbleu” we followed some other tourists. You can take a bus that takes you into town and drops you off literally in front of the palace. While the area is touristy, it’s nothing compared to the trap of Versailles (which we also visited two days later.) There is a nice commercial district to eat and shop. We purchased the Paris Pass and got the zone 6 train ticket as well.   Would you like to see more of our pics of Fontainebleau?  Hop on over to our brand new FACEBOOK site and see some of the amazing pictures.

Stay at the Airport?

By on July 7, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

     VS.    

I’m sure when asked, you would find more than one way to improve your holiday.  Now I know of lots of ways to improve your holiday, from finding an excellent Mojito bar to bungee jumping, but my tips are simpler and will make your whole holiday better.  First, book a stay in an airport hotel before you fly.  I’ve started doing it recently and it’s made all my trips fantastic.  Why?  I hear you ask.  Well it’s simple; it makes the worst part of any holiday almost enjoyable.

The worst part of any holiday is always departure day.  Take-away the excitement about the holiday to come and all you’re left with is stress, panic and irritable people.  Everybody’s in a hurry, they’re all worried about catching flights and checking in and most haven’t had enough sleep the night before.  This isn’t a good mix and it can make the start of your holiday less than pleasant.  This is where a night in an airport hotel swoops in and fixes everything.

Wherever you fly from there are airport hotels available and they’re usually really good.  I’ve stayed in Dublin airport hotels and Stansted airport hotels, and also recently enjoyed a Gatwick airport hotel and parking package, which have all been brilliant.  Not only are they high quality (a personal highlight was the massage room in one of them) but they are all really convenient.  By staying in one of these airport hotels you get a great night’s sleep after a really nice evening of wining and dining.  The effect this has on you makes it the best route to a better holiday.

You’ll wake up rested and refreshed already in a much better mood than you would have been.  Then, over a big tasty breakfast you remember that you’re in one of the discount Manchester airport hotels (or wherever you may be) just minutes from the terminal.

There’s no stressful journey to the airport, no worrying about being late, just a relaxing morning to enjoy before popping over to the terminal and checking in.  What is normally a bit of nightmare has been transformed in to a bit of a treat and the whole process until take-off will seem much simpler because you’re rested, calm and have nothing to worry about.  It makes your holiday that bit more special and all it takes is a few clicks on a website like holidayextras.co.uk.

 

1000Fights: We want to share this guest post from Nick with www.holidayextras.co.uk.  He makes such a great point and it is something that we really believe in.  Getting a hotel near the airport at the beginning or end of your trip takes much of the undue stress away.  Take for instance our recent trip to Venice.  Getting from the islands back to the mainland is more involved than you might think.  On top of just getting back across the bay, add in the time it takes to return rental car, go through security, and get rid of the left over euros that your have accumulated…this takes time!  Great advice Nick.  One less thing to fight about…(darn!)

Flight Fashion

By on June 29, 2011 in Best of the Fighting Couple, General, Slideshowable

Just like the bland food that some airlines put forward as food, flight attendant uniforms are headed for the same mediocrity!   We thought that it might be fun to highlight some of the best dressed flight attendants in the skies.   Luci and I are “fashion challenged” so we enlisted the help of some folks that know fashion and flying!

Please meet our celebrity judges:

@isthisreallife2♥@finalfashion♥@theflyingpinto♥@kirafashion♥@TheSwelleLife


Just click on any picture below for a larger view.

Qatar Airways

@isthisreallife2 The first word that comes to mind is ‘Safe’ and not in an ‘arm rests down, doors closed’ sense of the word.  No these uniforms are safe in a ‘good but not great way.’ While they look smart and the colour is surprisingly flattering, there really is no Wow factor here.  Thumbs up or down- If possible I would put a thumb half way between up or down its so mediocre!

@finalfashion:  There is a reductive, non-entity effect that suits the role of a service professional. Thumbs up.

@theflyingpinto Nothing exciting here. Boring cut, and the color would work on very few skin tones. Thumbs down.

@KIRAFASHION: It’s incredible how chic and glamorous a stewardess can be in a hat. I also love the choice of color here, beautiful. Thumbs up!

@TheSwelleLife A smart look, streamlined and minimal.  I like the deep plum colour and gestural ‘tie’.  Thumbs up.

Air France

@isthisreallife2 Chic, elegant, classic and timeless.  But to be honest, what else could we expect from the best dressers in the world.  Simple is the key here.  From the lines of the shirt-dress to the shape of the over-coat.  It reminds me of the golden age of air travel when air-hostesses were seen as the epitome of glamour and their clothes were coveted.  Thumbs up.

@finalfashion These uniforms are actually chic – and they’d have to be.  A remarkably deft feat of design. Thumbs up.

@theflyingpinto I can see a little bit of Kate Spade in the dress with the bow…but the white could look like a nurses uniform too. I hate the scarf, what were they thinking? Can you imagine wearing that huge thing in your face like that?  Love the red gloves and the over coat.  Thumbs up.

@KIRAFASHION It’s unfair to compare women from any nationality to French women. They have the fashion history on their side.  I love the long coats and the way they wear the scarf.  Thumbs Up.

@TheSwelleLife The chicest of the lot, naturellement. The jackets have the clean, tailored lines of a Chanel boucle, and no self-respecting French person goes out without the loosely bundled scarf, even when working on a plane, apparently.  Love the loose bow sash as well which is done in that none-fussy, French way. Thumbs up.

British Airways

@isthisreallife2 This is everything Air France isn’t.   Air France’s tailoring is to perfection where BA looks like they are all wearing too sizes too big for them, AF’s navy is deep and rich where as BA looks like they have all been put in a white wash in the dryer and come out a mucky version of ‘dark blue.’  It may be an unpatriotic view, but I am not really loving BA’s style!   Thumbs down.

@finalfashion Dowdy, military-inspired things that instantly add 20 years of age to the wearer. Eminently suitable for the purposes of a uniform but executed without flair. Thumbs sideways.

@theflyingpinto Are you sure this isn’t the Air Force posing in front of the plane? Everything about this uniform is up tight and stiff, even the bag that looks like it is part of the uniform.  Thumbs down.

@KIRAFASHION Too heavy and not appealing. Thumbs down.

@TheSwelleLife I’ve flown BA a lot and can attest to how uninspired these uniforms are in person, that navy couldn’t be more flat. They look like cadets. BA’s flight attendants are usually quite accommodating and deserve something with a little more ease and flair. But if they’re sometimes miserable, we know why.  Thumbs down.

Delta

@isthisreallife2 I really like how bold and brave Delta had been with their choices.  It may not aesthetically be perfect but it’s pretty and daring and is definitely eye-catching.  I really applaud them from trying something a little bit different and actually pulling it off!  Thumbs up.

@finalfashion The classic wrap dress works on any age and any figure and for that reason, it makes sense to adapt it to a uniform. However, it lacks a sense of authority. Thumbs sideways.

@theflyingpinto My favorite US Airline uniform. You only show the red dress, which I love, and for me a great dress is the best uniform. It’s easy to wear and you can dress it up with accessories. This particular dress was a little controversial because it is not flattering on every body type.   Thumbs up!

@KIRAFASHION Great at the runaway, but not so good in real life.  Thumbs down.

@TheSwelleLife Is that Richard Tyler? So this is what he’s doing now. If I were a Delta flight attendant, I’d be pretty thrilled with a wrap dress, even one with trench coat lapels, but the fabric looks to be a very stiff cotton.  I’m confused about the runway shot – is that a silk version? Is it for off-duty dates with the captain? Thumbs up.

Have you checked out some of the best Flight Attendant Blogs?  Here is our tribute!

Aeroflot

@isthisreallife2 Nice colour and again nice to see the classic style of the golden age of air travel coming back but just not startling enough!  Thumbs up.

@finalfashion The wing-motif repetition, echoed in the spread collar, is heavy-handed. Remove two or three elements and there would be the essence of a decent uniform. Thumbs down.

@theflyingpinto Still looks feminine without being too revealing. I love the fit of the uniform, it’s not boxy like a lot of airlines. I specifically like the dresses in the 2nd picture, it looks easy to wear, but still fitted and stylish with the cuff on the sleeve. And, I love the red shoes with the blue dress! Thumbs up!

@KIRAFASHION So innovative and beautiful!  Thumbs up!

@TheSwelleLife This is the Russian airline that has had a lot of crashes?  Their uniform represents bravery, absolute bravery. It’s ok, the red’s a bit bright and it’s very layered but looks fairly lightweight. And if a wing falls off, they can glide to safety on her collar. Thumbs…instead of an up or down, can I give a nice level one?

Jet Airways

@isthisreallife2 I really like this.  The yellow colour is beautiful and really unique to have this exact shade as other airlines have gone for a more mustard colour when using yellow.  The clothes underneath could do with being a little more exciting than just black but the coat really does save the whole look.  Thumbs up.

@finalfashion The long coats have a dental-hygenist quality to them, however the yellow seems to work well on most of the models pictured, and the black pants seem utilitarian. A serviceable uniform, but that’s all. Thumbs sideways.

@theflyingpinto Looks like real estate agents living in a cold climate. Why else would those jackets be so long? And the color? Yuck!  Thumbs down.

@KIRAFASHION I love the yellow here, but the cut is too austere. Thumbs down.

@TheSwelleLife The pale yellow is friendly and cheery and the nehru style is a nice change from the traditional Western look (as this is an Indian airline). But why do the women have to be dressed like men because they’re working on a plane? I’m wondering if Nehru jackets move, they look pretty stiff. Do they, Steven Seagal? Thumbs up, I think.

(Editor’s Note:  We have nothing against dental hygienists, real estate agents or Steven Seagal.  We think.  Well… we don’t have anything against Seagal for sure.)

Lufthansa

@isthisreallife2 Basically BA but with yellow instead of red.  Not a fan of this ill-fitting style at all and the colour is very draining on them!  Thumbs down.

@finalfashion A classic uniform that doesn’t try too hard to reinvent what isn’t broken. Small touches like the pocket square and the single braid at the cuff are sophisticated and work well. Thumbs up.

@theflyingpinto This uniform really didn’t stand a chance with me. I suppose it is ok, but it looks a lot like the tired old uniform I’ve had at my airline for my entire career! Being fair it’s not that bad, the fit looks good, but the hat tipped the scale for me. Ugly! Thumbs down.

@KIRAFASHION Original hats and traditional flight attendant style. Thumbs up.

@TheSwelleLife Now this is just mean. It’s stiff, dull, and masculine and the hat looks like an upside-down dog bowl. The harsh goldenrod and navy contrast is not very modern. Thumbs down.

KLM

@isthisreallife2 Again I like the bold-ness of the colour choice.  It’s a really lovely shade of blue in these images (although I have to say in real life, their uniforms never look this glamorous! Ha!)  I like the three-piece style too.  Thumbs up.

@finalfashion Wing tip collars, on an airline uniform? Sophomoric and literal. Somehow every small detail here seems obvious and unrefined. Thumbs down.

@theflyingpinto I love the way the uniform fits and I find the color very striking. It really stands out in an airport. But, what I see as a pro could become a con..how long would it take to be sick of the color? If they keep the same uniform as long as my airline has (20 years) I can see it getting old!  Thumbs up.

@KIRAFASHION Nice blue, but maybe too blue. Thumbs down.

@TheSwelleLife I like the bright blue and more feminine style of jacket, but those neckerchiefs are just awful. I’m convinced the female staff frequently come into work with hickies – why else would they be made to wear these things? Crimson, gold and navy stripes against royal blue…pass the airsickness bag, please.  Thumbs up without the neckerchief.

Emirates

@isthisreallife2 I adore their camel coats. Again they have the chic factor like Air France, there is a certain elegance with these two that the others don’t seem to have.  I really like the cultural nod too with their hats, I think it’s a really nice touch and again makes them stand out!  Thumbs up.

@finalfashion Simple and elegant uniform, in a beigey non-colour – it would probably work just as well or better if the suit matched the hat. The white scarf is a good choice for any face and colouring. Thumbs up.

@theflyingpinto Can you say dowdy office worker? Funny enough, even though it’s a similar style hat to Lufthansas this one actually works. Maybe it’s the color combined with the scarf? At any rate I would say that is the best part of the uniform, but what does your hair look like when you take it off?  Thumbs down.

@KIRAFASHION How chic and mysterious those women are. I love the way they mix the head scarf and the hat. The nude palette with the rouge look incredible. Thumbs up.

@TheSwelleLife Beige usually means bland and boring, but as a passenger I think I’d find this light, modern shade soothing. The traditional sash adds some softness to what is essentially a business suit. Thumbs up.

Qantas

@isthisreallife2 First off, I would like to say that I love the fact that again, like Delta, they are taking a chance and doing something bold with their uniform, which I really think is great, but unfortunately, unlike Delta, I just don’t think they have pulled it off.  The print is far too big and just won’t flatter all shapes and sizes and it will date so quickly but at least its shows that they are making an effort!  Thumbs up (for trying,)

@finalfashion The satin shirt dress lacks authority and the shiny fabric looks cheap. The overall effect fails to suggest the role of the wearer. Thumbs down.

@theflyingpinto Is this silk? And, is that the designer in the first picture? What was he thinking? He should work in that dress. It looks like the lining in the dress I have now, that we all tear out because of how hot it gets. I’m also pretty sure I have a picture of my grandmother around here somewhere in that same dress!  Thumbs down.

@KIRAFASHION The worse uniform here. Printed clothes definitely don’t go with this job. Horrendous. Thumbs  down.

@TheSwelleLife A refreshing change of style in a more comfy fabric. But the pattern reminds me of a hotel or casino carpet which are designed to hide an array of dirty sins, so I’m thinking Quantas crew get thrown up on a lot.  Also good for disco dancing. Thumbs up for comfort and forgoing the masculine formality of the traditional uniform.

A huge 1000 Fights THANKS to our celebrity judges.  Some great style!  Please follow them on twitter, check out their blogs, and tell them thanks for participating in our project.

Now it is your turn to vote!

Leave your vote for best dressed in the sky in the comment section below.  Flight attendants prepare for crosscheck!

Taking in the Twins

By on June 19, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

Are you looking for a place with a giant spoon balancing a cherry in the center of town, a nearby Spam Museum, and a great saltwater aquarium all in the Midwest?  Look no further than Minneapolis, Minnesota! America’s Twin Cities!

Minneapolis or Minnie as I  heard a few of the locals call it, has always been a layover city for us.  We go there 3-4 times a year, but never GO there.  Thankfully, we put the Twin Cities in the “really” been there column this month.

A few of our impressions:

Offfta-there’s some art for ya.

The Twins have some really great art!  It is all over the town.  We highly recommend a stroll around the Walker Sculpture Garden at the center of town.   At the center of the park is the now famous spoon and cherry.  As we were taking it in, I asked our good friend, a transplant to the Midwest,  so what does this say to you?  Her response:  “It makes me want to go and jump on the end of the spoon and kick that cherry into the sky.” My response, “Interesting.”  The only thing  the modern art statue made me think of was ice cream.  So off we went to get some ice cream.

Izzy’s

As fellow “fighters” know,  1000 fights love gelato and like ice cream.  With that said, we LOVE Izzy’s Ice cream.  Izzy’s is located in a residential area surrounded by tree lined streets and stately homes.  You kinda feel like you are living that 70’s show.    Flavors are very inventive.  Take the Italian Strawberry, they soak the berries in Italian vinegar!  Soooo good.  I went with the Chocolate.  As an added bonus you get a little mini scooper called the Izzy Scoop on top of any flavor.  I mixed my chocolate with a raspberry sorbet.   Oh BABY!  Follow Izzy on Twitter.

The Quang

One of our great friends on Twitter My Battered Suitcase recommended Quang.  First impressions.  The neighborhood is filled with what look like family owned ethnic restaurants. There are Greeks, Dutch, Germans, and Chinese of every sort.  The king of the street is Quang.  A very authentic Vietnamese gastronomic paradise!  Pull open the first set of doors and you enter a room of foodie awards.  Right and left, top to bottom are a collection of accolades from every corner of the food award world.  (This is a good sign.)  Pass through the second sets of doors and we found ourselves the only Caucasians in the place. (Another very good sign.)  Menu is very strong in breath and depth.  The dishes speak for themselves.  They do throw in a couple Pad Thai dishes, but they come with a Viet leaning.  I went with their famous bbq pork. BEST EVER!  Highly recommend the Quang.
Quang on Urbanspoon

A Temple on the Prairie

What would a 1000Fight post be without a tour of a church or cathedral?  The Cathedral of Saint Paul is simply stunning.  Every summer the Parrish holds a rock concert/street party out on the front lawn.  We understand it is a great time!

A description from the church’s website:

“The Basilica of Saint Mary was the first basilica established in the United States of America, honored by Pope Pius XI in 1926.  Recognized as one of the finest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture in the country, the Basilica of Saint Mary was constructed between 1907 and 1915 to the design of celebrated Franco-American architect Emmanuel Louis Masqueray.  It dominates its own city block on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis.

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.  In 1991 the old copper roof was replaced with a newer one to stop the water damage and leaks that were occurring. Restoration work on the exterior and damaged plaster within the church is ongoing.”

The Spam Museum

You know when you get a hankering for spam? You gotta have it!  Ok, we hate spam.  But an interesting side trip from the Twins is the Spam museum in Austin, Minnesota.  Take a spam tour!  Try your hand at canning!  Re-live some Monty Python moments.  Of special interest is the World War II exhibit highlighting the company’s involvement in supporting the troops.

Ok,  we haven’t talked about the Mall of America yet.  We did that on purpose.  Why would you go on holiday and go to the Gap?  If you do decide to go, please take in the new giant sealife aquarium.  It is a sealife park chain..but still worth the visit.

Get two vacations in one by visiting the hidden gems of the Twin Cities!  What are your favorite sites of the cities?  Have you had an Izzy’s ice cream cone?  Were we right?

Panic Packing

By on May 7, 2011 in Best of the Fighting Couple, General, Slideshowable

Avoiding Panic  Packing

Weight limits, per bag charges, Overweight fees: OH I hate thee! The Art of Packing is truly becoming more critical for the frequent traveler.  How do you get all of the must haves for an African Safari in tiny box the size of a lunch pail?  IMPOSSIBLE!  One of the biggest packing challenges we at 1000Fights.com face is our traveling tendencies.  We typically travel on the “shoulder” seasons (April & May or Sept. & Oct.).  Weather during these times is especially difficult to predict.  You need to be prepared for every possibility.  We put together a few tips and hints for your packing panicking!

Men vs. Women

The lines between how females and males pack are certainly blurred.  Take Mike for instance.  He is a classic overpacker (which tends to be a female trait).  He wants to be prepared for every fashion eventuality!  Luci on the other hand has a collection of cosmetics that would rival even the most humble Hollywood starlet.  Men in general tend to pack the old stand bys Jeans, tee-shirts and flip flops.  Women tend to stuff the case with every fashion combination imaginable.

Take direction from some of the best dressed travel bloggers out there:

>Vagabond Adventures– Lucie always finds the best sun dresses.

>Me and Frenchie–You can always go native.  Check out their rotating header.

>My Beautiful Adventures— How could we have this list with out Andi? How does she do it?

Hints for the Hommees

Ok guys, too many of us think that a tee-shirt and jeans are the ideal travel uniform.  Candidly, that can be the most comfortable for sure.  But why do you go on vacation?  To relax?  To see great sites? Nope.  You go to take pictures of yourself.  A word about shoes:  Pick good ones.   If you are looking for mens shoes look no further.  I am loyal to my Clarks Natureveldts.  Luci calls the old man shoes…but they are extremely well built, comfortable and go with jeans to jacket.  So…Guys, step your game up.  Pack a dinner jacket.  How about pants made of something other than denim?

Hints for the Femmes

A few ideas for a recent Ladies Home Journal article:

1. Assess your trip. Are you going to the beach or lake for a family vacation? The Caribbean for a romantic getaway? Europe for a sightseeing tour? Let your destination and planned activities guide your packing.

2. Accessorize! . Simple is sometimes better.  Pack a few all purpose scarfs to spiff it up a bit.

 

3. Choose mix and match bottoms. You can get away with wearing shorts, pants, or skirts multiple times on a trip. For a weeklong beach vacation, three pairs of shorts, one skirt, and one pair of pants should be enough.

4. Location. Keep in mind that some museums, religious sites, and even some reasterants have “dress” codes.  Pack accordingly.

5. Bring one dress. A simple style such as a shift in an easy shade (black always works) can be worn during the day with sandals and at night with heels. It’s particularly good to have if your plans suddenly include a dressy event.

6. Go Native. If everyone at the beach is wearing flip-flops and athletic slides, for example, strappy heels will look out of place — and stop you from feeling comfortable and enjoying your trip.

7. Keep fabric in mind. 100 percent cottons and linens wrinkle easily and require lots of ironing. Choose to bring clothing in fabrics blended with wrinkle-resistors like nylon or spandex, or pack pieces in knit and jersey.

8. Stick to neutrals. Clothing in black, white, and khaki, with a splash or red or denim thrown in, makes stylish dressing easy because it all matches, all the time.

9. Scale back on shoes. Most women bring many more pairs than they need! For casual vacations, one pair of sandals and one pair of sneakers is sufficient. Add a pair of dressy mules if you anticipate more formal evenings out.

10. Don’t forget one versatile purse. A small canvas tote can go from the beach to the boardwalk to casual dinners, and look appropriate in all places.

Backpacker vs. Luggage-ites

I am truly in awe at those folks who sell everything they own and pack a little daypack and head off to chase lamas in Peru.  Perhaps my obsessive compulsive side makes me want to have things around me.  There is a tiny piece of me that is jealous of those that forsake all and backpack, it goes back to my upbringing.  I have a very responsible mother.  So as I headed out to scouting adventures, my pack would be chock full of really helpful stuff: snake bit anti-venom, healthy snacks, rain poncho ect.  Other troopers with came armed with packs full of pop-tarts and Mountain Dew soda. #jealous.

We can learn a lot from our back packer buddies.  Focus on the basics.  A great travel packing list was put together by >Our Traveling Circus: Not sure I want to know what unmentionables they are packing, but it is a complete list for sure.  Great blog to checkout by the way.  What backpackers do best is identifying what is really needed.  Nothing too heavy is included.

Too many people leave the packing to the wee hours of the morning before departure.  Bad idea.  You are much more prone to forget something.  Pick socks that don’t match.  Take a little extra time and follow the advice above and you will be glad you did once you open your luggage.

Sprinter Life!

By on May 1, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

The Sprinter Life!

We have a number of first with this feature in our 7 questions project.  The first, first is this couple!  They are “awesomely crazy!”  So here is their story:  they tricked out a 2006 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van and lived it and drove all over the globe! The run a blog called:  http://www.sprinterlife.com.  Be careful with this one…dont be drinking any kind of hot liquids when you go to open the page…you will bust out laughing.  You were warned.  The second first? is the use of color in their responses to our now famous 7 questions.  Kinda fits with this couple!  FUN!  The third first is, this is the first couple to pose in full star trek uniforms!  Scroll to the bottom of the post to check it out!  Tree and Stevie are the kind of folks the we hope to meet out there on the road!  Oh and best part yet, they car FIGHT!  So impressed.

Please check out their blog!  http://www.sprinterlife.com

Follow them in Tweetland:  @Sprinterlife

1) How many countries visited between the two of you? 25 with many more to come

2) If you had to travel with someone else besides your travel partner,
who would it be?  (this person can be living, historical or
mythical?.)

He Said: Sacagawea

She Said: Werner Herzog. Just once, I’d like to live in one of his bizarre documentaries.

1000Fights:  Mike LOVES Werner Herzog!  One of his most interesting moments was screaming:  “I want my Opera House!!!” on the edge of the Amazon river while in Peru!

3)What has been your favorite destination in your wanderings?

He said: Cuba

She said: Cuba

4)  If you had to eat one last meal, what/ where would you eat?

He said: Stevie’s Eggplant Parmesan, on the beach with a bottle of St.Supery Cabernet Sauvignon.

She said: The Lamb Cannelloni from Pomodoro’s in Seattle- maybe two of them- with a bottle of Brunello and a piece of dark chocolate mousse cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for dessert.

5)How do you pick the places you visit?  Spontaneous vs. planned?

He said: I’m a planner. But planning only goes so far in nomad life. Let’s just say I’m always reworking plans, sometimes so often that it might appear to the untrained eye that our decisions are spontaneous, but make no mistake, I planned it, if only moments before.

She said: We know we’re going around the world, and we usually know which country is next and what general areas we’d like to explore, but our plans are loose enough to allow for Big Bang style spontaneous expansion. We meet locals and fellow travelers who make suggestions, one place leads to another, we get lucky, shit happens, something else amazing happens, and we wind up experiencing way more than we could have ever planned.

6) If you could solve one problem in the world what would it be?

He said: I would solve the “you know what I mean” and the “are you even listening” problem

She said: Holy shit, only one? I’m going to have to paint in broad strokes here. I would solve the environment problem, BIG stroke, which would encompass solving overpopulation, the exploitation of natural resources (i.e. widespread destruction of our landbase), the unsustainable nature of modern civilization, pollution, ignorance, apathy, and greed. And just for good measure, I’d get rid of religion too. I’ve never met a river or a tree- or even a person for that matter- that actually needs it….you know what I mean? Hello? Are you even listening?

7)You knew it was coming….What has been your greatest travel fight/disagreement?

She said: The drunken iPhone fight. We were on a four month self-guided wine tour from California to Canada when Tree’s sister, bless her heart, thought she’d help us out by giving us an iPhone loaded with Google maps. The only problem was that every time Tree needed me to use the thing, I was drunk. The map was always either too close up or too expanded, and when I’d go to fix it, I’d lose our tiny tracking dot just as we were supposed to do something crucial like exit the freeway or make a sharp turn. Well, one day after a wine passport in Napa valley, that exact scenario played out, we got a little lost, and Tree flipped his lid and called me a bad navigator who didn’t even know how to read a map. I got so mad!!! Drunken woman mad.  I called him a sexist pig, hexed him with wrong turns and traffic jams for life, and went on co-pilot strike indefinitely.

He said: And that is why they invented the robot woman that lives inside your GPS unit. She doesn’t get drunken woman mad when she makes a mistake
***Live Long & Prosper Sprinter Life!***



Capturing Romantic Olde England

By on April 13, 2011 in General, Slideshowable

Great Britain: Is a romantic couple’s dream! Castles, dramatic landscapes, vibrant cities, and best of all our cousins from across the pond speak English! The first time we traveled together to England, we ended up spending much of our time in London.  London rivals any city in the world. Not only can you catch some of London’s best attractions: Parliament, West Minister Abbey, Imperial War Museum, Churchill Museum, but some of the best theatre in the world!

London theatre

One of the most romantic things to do in London is to take in a dinner and a play in the West End.  Ticket for the performing arts are generally cheaper in Europe than in the US and frankly, the quality is MUCH better.  Luci is a theatre snob and you can’t beat London’s West End.  Go to one of the many ticket brokers and get same day tickets for at least half off.   We saw the age old standard of Les Miserable the “the bible coat story” as Mike calls it, also known as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.  Both were better than any Broadway production we’ve seen.  Walking hand in hand discussing the performance along London’s lively streets is unforgettable.  We found a street side vendor near the home of some of our friends that made marvelous crepes.  The chocolate banana caramel was to die for! Again, English food is bland and boring. Eat French and Indian and you can’t go wrong.

Of course in order to be a true romantic, you must make the trek out to Jane Austen’s home: see our (post) on our visit.

Castle Climbing in Wales

While London is generally one of Great Britain’s top spots, Wales is the most beautiful. It’s green rolling hills and friendly people make it a must see in Great Britain. Just be aware it’s almost impossible to pronounce anything on the signs. One of the most spectacular castles in the UK is Carreg Cennen.  It is just south of Llandeilo.  The castle sits atop a green hill that offers stunning views.

Take the moderate hike from the parking area and pack a lunch spend the day exploring the ruins and enjoying the commanding vistas.  There is a small gift/craft store and tea room at the base of the hill.  We hear that they have great ice cream.

While the exchange rate between the pound and the dollar is usually horrible. When we went to Great Britain, the pound was twice the dollar. We noticed that the prices weren’t necessarily that different but once you doubled it with the exchange rate it felt like we were spending monopoly money. So you have to be smart when you travel there. We were lucky and stayed with friends who were living there and were able to enjoy a lot of what GB has to offer.  But we also know folks who have rented a house. This travel technique was made popular by the chick flick, “The Holiday.”

Want somewhere fun to stay?

8 Old School, St Benedicts Abbey (rent this for a week!)

Ever wonder what it would be like to swap your digs for an English cottage like Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet in the chick flick, “The Holiday?”  This is your chance!    Who knows…maybe you will meet your own Jude Law?  This is such a great option for experiencing the real Great Britain.  Cottages are “self catering” so you cook for yourself.  (Great way to save some cash and eat better food. The

Inside 8 Old School, St Benedicts Abbey

English aren’t known for their cuisine.)  If you are traveling as a family or with multiple couples, this is a great solution and so much cheaper than a hotel!

The UK has so very much to offer the wandering couple.  We offered a few ideas, what is your fav couple site in Olde England?  96XKZ4PP77NE

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!