A co-worker had just returned from a visit to the UK. “How was it?” I asked. “They don’t put ice in the water” was the reply. I’d learned enough about her trip, and about her. Rule when traveling: Avoid making constant comparisons with “back home.” If you don’t follow this rule, you end up bringing… Continue reading Travel Fails: Managing Expectations
Month: June 2013
Now and Then: Guns n’ Cigarettes
Last Fall, I was lost in my thoughts, exploring some quiet back lanes in Istanbul I’ve seen described as “gritty.” Just as I was about to walk into a busier area, someone tugged on my sleeve, stopping me in my tracks. A bizarre scene unfolded in front of me. First some men in suits… Continue reading Now and Then: Guns n’ Cigarettes
Travel Gear: Mobile Internet
My SIMs from UK, Japan, USA, Turkey Once, while traveling in the UK, T-Mobile billed me $400 for 25MB–that’s $16,000 per GB! This was a surprise as, under that same plan, I had not been charged for data use during previous overseas trips. I asked T-Mobile to waive the charge (they did), but I cancelled… Continue reading Travel Gear: Mobile Internet
Travel Gear: Makeup and Mirror
I noticed the woman when I was riding the Busan (South Korea) subway at morning commute time, earlier this year. She was middle-aged, and quite unremarkable until she started her morning makeup routine. Seated in the crowded carriage, out came her creams, brushes, and other makeup paraphernalia. She then painstakingly, unselfconsciously transformed her appearance, right… Continue reading Travel Gear: Makeup and Mirror
Travel Gear: OpenStreetMap
Minnesota in the summer is just too lovely, so I won’t be traveling far this month. That doesn’t stop me thinking about the mechanics of travel. When I was in Japan earlier this year, handheld electronics hugely contributed to my ability to navigate the geography and the culture. Or, to be more precise, the software… Continue reading Travel Gear: OpenStreetMap