Beer, Bretzels, and a Buchmesse: 48 Hours in Frankfurt

It’s mid-October in Germany and I’m surrounded by twentysomethings in a huge convention hall.

No…it’s not Oktoberfest, but instead, the Frankfurt Book Fair.

A group from my publishing postgrad course jet-setted to Deutschland for the weekend to experience some beer, bretzels, and a buchmesse at the biggest trade fair for books in the world.

We set off early Thursday morning via coach from the Brookes campus to Heathrow. Can’t say the five a.m. wake up call was pleasant, but excitement beat out sleepiness as I anticipated my first jaunt to Germany. We had to put the exhilaration on hold for a few hours though, as our flight was delayed thanks to London fog.

Once British Airways got us safely to Frankfurt, we hopped on a train to the city centre. Group rates will get you a discounted price, so if you can gather five people together, you can roll into town for a few euros each.

The Frankfurt Hostel, merely steps away from the Hauptbahnhof (train station), was on the sleezier side of things. Stuck in the middle of what we deemed to be the red light district, the only thing the hostel had going for it was its convenient location. Beyond that, it was hard not to notice the stained sheets and equally stained carpet.

Bed rates range from 18 to 22 euros, with private rooms going for anything between 50 and 88 euros. Shoot for the private ensuite set up if you choose to stay there. Avoid their elevator of death.

A 15-minute walk landed us in the Römer square, a fantastic plaza dotted with shops and restaurants. All forty of us grabbed a drink and I had my first official German pint of apfelwein, an apple cider Frankfurt is known for. We then wandered over to the Paulaner Munchen restaurant for a traditional meal. From schnitzel to strudel, the brewery popped out a fantastic dinner. The service was unimpressive, but waiting on forty rambunctious students would prove challenging for even the best of servers, so this is me giving them slack. It seems to be a chain, so check it out if you come across it.

Friday was devoted entirely to the book fair, a massive collection of publishers from around the world. The exhibition hall itself was impressive, as it seemed bigger than most airports and ran like a city inside. We poured over the stands upon stands of publishers marketing their latest launches and their old faithfuls. We gained insight to the industry and got a taste of business networking, all under one massive roof.

We rocked the fair from 9 to 5, so a quick nap before hitting the German party scene was necessary. A few of us headed out around 7 for a quick bite at a small Italian restaurant and enjoyed some Weizen beers, because what’s Germany without a few pints? Meeting up with the rest of the group, we dominated a local pub off the main square and then headed to a club.

The prices seemed high in Frankfurt, as the club entrance fee was 10 euros, though it got negotiated down to six. Once inside, the drink prices were exorbitant—although as an American in Europe, the exchange rate makes every price exorbitant. Our group danced to electronica until 3 a.m., hopefully having worked off a few calories from the dense German food.

Saturday was spent in Mainz, a smaller city on the west bank of the Rhine. A train from Frankfurt will cost you about six euros return. Good luck navigating the electronic ticket stand, it was all in German.

We caught the tail-end of a lovely morning market in Mainz, full of fresh veg, fruit, and flowers. The Gutenberg Museum was the main goal of the day-trip, which only cost 3 euro as a student. The museum is home to a Gutenberg Bible and many printing presses, though the museum didn’t seem to cater to foreigners. It was hard to find any English translations to the plaques and the only information sheet cost money.

Lunch consisted of a bretzel and wine as a group of us sat in the main plaza watching the world go by. The sun was blaring and the city was bustling, couldn’t have asked for a better day. We made our way back to the airport after 4 p.m. and luckily didn’t have to suffer through another delay. Although Frankfurt was beyond great fun, Heathrow was a welcome sight…And so was my bed when I finally made it back to my dorm, my home sweet home away from home.

Pick up a few German words/phrases before you head to das land der dichter und denker (the land of thinkers and poets). Go HERE for some tips.

Cheers from Oxford: Updates Soon

Greetings from England!

I've arrived at Oxford Brookes University and have been getting everything organized this past week. I have a cup of Starbucks coffee in hand, a SIM card on the way, and everything else I need to start up this term. Modules begin today, but despite the inevitable barrage of work, I'm going to attempt to travel this semester. You can look forward to more entries here on Prepare for Landing; I have high hopes for getting my travel on! I'm thinking about the following locales (red is definite, blue is hopeful):

• Frankfurt, Germany
• Glasgow, Scotland
• London (encore)
• Wales
• Various spots around England
• Bologna, Italy
• Spain, Portugal, Morocco
  
• Czech, Austria, Switzerland
• Turkey

I realize blue far outweighs red, but a girl can dream, right?! If you have any suggestions, shoot me a comment or e-mail...oh, how I love comments or e-mail. In the meantime, I'm writing a blog for the ISAS (International Student Advisory Service) at Oxford Brookes. You can catch it here:

http://www.brookes.ac.uk/student/services/isas/blog2.html

Teeing Off: The Art of Albuquerque Disc Golf

Think hot air balloons, green chili, and … disc golf?

Think Albuquerque (or as it is known around my circle of friends, da ‘burque). It’s the main point of reference for people who have never been to New Mexico and is often confused as the capital city (re: Santa Fe). Located three hours north of my hometown, ABQ is where many Las Cruces kids escape for college. Home to the University of New Mexico and some of my very favorite people, Albuquerque offers a random assortment of entertainment for all ages.

And by random, I’m referring to disc golf. It’s a sporting revolution that is sweeping parts of the nation, but it’s mostly sweeping my family and friends as my brother has recently become obsessed with this bizarro sport.

It’s golf. It’s Frisbee. It’s a combo of both and courses are popping up all over the nation.

The art of disc golf is in its simplicity. You throw a disc toward a basket and there you have it: you’ve started your first round. Albuquerque is very progressive in terms of its supply of disc golf courses; four PDGA* approved courses exist in this New Mexico city.

Roosevelt Park, a leafy green space ranging over 5,000 feet of land, has 18 newly revamped holes. There isn’t much room for high-flying mistakes, as the park seems to be covered with non-disc-golf-playing civilians. If you’re an amateur, you might want to stick to one basket and practice your toss instead of running the risk of knocking someone out. Unless you go for that sort of thing…

The Ladera Park is far less green and far more frustrating when it comes to playing a round. Stuck in the middle of the desert, the whole course is dirt with the only spec of grass being across the street at the real golf course. My fears of scorpions and rattlesnakes made this round of play an intolerable one, especially while wearing flip-flops. The tees and holes were hard to find and Mark lost a primo disc in the tangles of some desert terrain.

If you’re interested in rocking some disc golf in the land of enchantment, or any state, check out the PDGA Web site. There’s also an Albuquerque Disc Golf blog here. Search "disc golf" on youtube.com for some examples of this up and coming sport.

*Professional Disc Golf Association, and no, I’m not kidding…

New York, New York: So Good They Named It Twice?

Everyone seems to love it, yet I can’t find an ounce of awe in New York City.

People’s eyes light up when they hear the words New York City. Glamorized images of Fifth Avenue, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty cross their minds and most are overcome with a desire to visit the city. But when I hear New York City, I think of traffic, smog, and the occasional Mets fan who actually thinks the Mets matter.

Back when I lived in upstate New York, the city was only good for cheap flights to Europe and Yankee games. Other than that, it was a waste of time. At that point I was speaking as a country girl, but now that I’ve traded in my country roots for a blatant love of city life, I still feel a certain detachment from the NYC hype.

A weekend excursion this summer sustained my anti-NYC feelings, but I did lighten up a bit when it came to accepting the city for what it is; I warmed to the fast-paced groove on the packed out sidewalks, I craved the grub from the myriad of curbside pizza places, and I felt humbled by the grandiose skyscrapers surrounding me.

My brother Mark and I hitched a scenic ride on the train from Albany-Rensselaer straight to Penn Station. A few hours in the comfortable coach flew by and views of rolling green hills turned to graffiti brick walls in no time.

Picking a hotel in New York City can be a challenge, so be sure to have hotels.com and tripadvisor.com both up and running while selecting where to stay. The candid traveler photos will be your best friend and could save you a nightmarish experience. We booked The New Yorker Ramada a few months in advance for a reasonable rate of about $150 a night. The location was perfection, as it was across the street from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station.

This midtown Manhattan hotel, like others, may fool you with a glamorous lobby, but the rooms are no where near impressive. The space was passable, however, and the views 26 floors up were spectacular.

We took to the streets the moment we arrived and found our area was bustling with a variety of restaurants. The food can range from oober expensive to cheap dollar meals, so your best bet is to walk around and try to find an interesting/affordable posted menu.

Halal Pizza & Bakery Inc, 521 8th Avenue (between 36/37th Streets), was an absolute God-send. This 24-hour walk up pizza place has amazing New York style pizza for about 99 cents each. It beat the Pizza Tour of Vancouver with Alicia & crew tenfold. If you’re looking for a sit-down slice, look no further than a few doors up… you’re surrounded by glorious pizza in this city.

A set menu meal was also had at a charming new fusion Asian/Indian restaurant on 8th Avenue. Spring rolls for appetizers, tikka masala for the main course, and a delectable mango mousse for dessert totaled $20, a steal for dinner in midtown Manhattan.

We met up with friends on Sunday and roamed Times Square where we caught a glimpse of the MTV studios, stopped by the Virgin Megastore, and took in the onslaught of outdoor ads above our heads. Mark got in a hilarious row with a misinformed Mets fan after he spotted all of our Yankee hats. Then we made our way down to the subway and tried to figure out the system.

For a few dollars we zipped underground from midtown to lower Manhattan to see Ground Zero. Seeing this area was emotional on many levels, and the site itself was huge and piled high in construction. The mood was quiet and somber as people looked through chain-linked fences to see what remained of the World Trade Centers. A sign was posted of what the new Freedom Tower will resemble and there are mixed feelings about the design. Here’s a live web cam of the area so you can keep track of its progress.

We made the trip to NYC for a concert at Madison Square Garden. Dispatch, a folk/rock/reggae trio from Vermont, had broken up in 2002. They announced in January 2007 their intent to reunite for one night only to raise money and awareness for Zimbabwe. Within a half-hour of the pre-sale, they sold out the first night’s show. They added another night and then another, for which we snagged two tickets, with all the proceeds going to Zimbabwe charities.

MSG was brimming with loyal fans and the energy reverberated all the way to the last row (yes, unfortunately that’s where our seats were). With the strum of each note and the pound of each beat, the concert was an amazing display of familiar songs and impressive showmanship.

After the concert, the crowd poured out of the arena and surrounding shops were busting at the seams. We hit Halal Pizza and retired to the Ramada. The next day we made the trek across the street to Penn Station and grabbed a train back up to Albany. If you have a chance to visit Albany, hang out around St. Rose to get the college feel. Many thanks to my friend Alana who let us stay at her fantastic apartment near the college. Take in a slice at I Love NY Pizza on Central and grab a drink at one of the many bars this drinking town has to offer.

The two-day tour of NYC ended with me giving it a few more notches on the likeability scale, but it still ranks pretty low in my all-time favorite cities. There’s just something about NYC that lacks appeal, though my trip there was full of fun. For young people, we may revel in the nightlife, but we can’t afford it in this overpriced city. Two days in NYC and I almost had to take out a second mortgage on my non-existent house. Maybe when we make our millions I'll rank it higher, but until then, New York verges on unaffordable for this college student.

The Other New York: Revisiting Upstate

I grew up in a place most people think is mythical.

Best described as a charming village with one stoplight* and a school K-12, Morris is full of memories and this summer I had the chance to revisit my childhood hometown.

Ask any of my friends and they’ll tell you they’ve heard all about the legendary village. Where a ten-minute walk to the post-office can last an hour because you run into so many people you know; where your culinary entertainment comes in the form of an ice cream store, pizzeria, or coffee shop; and where there are only two seasons: winter and construction.

Upstate New York has thick leaf laden woods, stretched out rows of corn, and strong wooden fences along miles of farmland and rolling hills. In the few months snow takes a vacation, it is the most beautiful place in the world.

I spent fourteen years in Morris, a driveway’s length away from the school and minutes away from all the downtown action. It’s a place where everyone knows everyone and you wouldn’t want it any other way. Winters consisted of shoveling snow, sledding, and snowball fights, while summers were laced with bike rides, walks through the woods, and laying poolside.

Before a jaunt to New York City for a concert, my brother and I ventured back to Morris, in the heart of the Butternut Valley. If you’re flying into upstate, consider the Albany, Binghamton, Syracuse, or Buffalo airports, depending on your final destination. We snagged a cheap deal to Albany, the state capital, for $99 one-way from El Paso via Southwest. Sign up for the Click ‘n Save e-mail updates for spotlight destinations and deals on flights.

We stayed with great friends of the family in Morris for two nights (many thanks to the Birdsall and Bourgeois families!). Hotel accommodation is hard to come by if you’re looking to stay in a small town. Bed and breakfasts are the way to go if you want to avoid the cities. Here’s a useful site full of B and B’s in New York.

Any town you go to in upstate will have a resident pizza place and Morris is no exception. Though we didn’t go this time round, if you’re in the area, you need to check out Nina’s Pizzeria. We’ve been told it has gone downhill, but back in the day it had superior pizza (plus, it’s all good to me considering I live in the Southwest, where acceptable pizza is hard to come by). Order anything, you can’t go wrong: from the BBQ Rib Pizza to the hot wings, pepperoni rolls to the garlic knots, this local legend has it all. We rocked the very similar New York Pizzeria in New Berlin, a neighboring town, and it lived up to all glorious expectations.

Upstate is all about the day trips. Pick a home base and plan on driving to nearby points of interest—the most important one being Cooperstown, home to the Baseball Home of Fame. I use it as a point of reference when people ask where I’m from because this tourist attraction is merely 30 minutes away from Morris and world renowned. You can easily spend a day here wandering in and out of baseball themed shops, eating at little cafes, or taking advantage of photo-ops at Otsego Lake or Doubleday Field.

Or you can pull a Vic and go see a terrific tarot-card reader. I’m not the feng-shuing, incense burning, Ouija board playing type, but trust me on this one…the psychic was incredible. For forty dollars she can unfold your future and shed light on your present. E-mail me for further details.

If baseball isn’t your thing (shame on you), but you still want a dose of sports, you can visit the Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta. The 40,000 square foot museum was reconstructed in the 90's and I was there in June 1999 when it opened its doors. Haven’t been back since, but at the time it was full of memorabilia and interactive activities.

Our stay in Morris was a pleasant one as we caught up with friends around a bonfire and revisited old familiar sites. We left on a Friday for Utica, an hour north of the village, for a Moe concert at the Saranac Brewery. If you can manage to catch a show there, it’s worth it as the venue is fun and the brews are tasty. Otherwise, I would suggest skipping Utica—or any other major city in upstate. Except for Albany, which proved to be a nice stop in our tour of NY.

It was great to visit, but I’m glad to keep upstate in my past. Next stop: New York City, a place I love to hate.


*Morris now has two stoplights, sparking my qualm about its apparent rise in modernity.


(Pictured right: my old house, The Grove, in Morris, New York)


These videos were made for Alicia, who sadly couldn't make it to Morris, but has always wanted to experience that small town feel. Video 1 of Morris:



Video 2 of Morris:

The So-What of So-Cal: Food, Fun, and Sun on the Left Coast

In San Diego, surfboard toting beach dwellers aren’t uncommon and bleach-blond girls in bikinis tend to roam the sand covered streets down at Mission Beach, but there’s more to So-Cal than the stereotypes suggest.

Eleven hours west on I-10 landed my family and I in La Jolla for reasons we never anticipated. Instead of escaping for a sun-bathed summer adventure, we headed to Cali for a second opinion. In June, my mom was diagnosed with stage four cancer, and so we got an appointment at Scripps, a cutting-edge facility for cancer care and research.

I’d say this wouldn’t be your typical travel blog dotted with tasty restaurant ideas and hotel tips, but it is. Despite the reasons behind the trip, we still managed to see the sites and get in touch with this tourist-haven. It seems life handed us lemons and we just made lemonade…and what better place to sip a pint of refreshing lemonade than the So-Cal coast in the summertime?

Arriving at our hotel couldn’t be easier with the help of a GPS navigator we purchased before the trip. The nuvi system from Garmin took us from point A to point B without zigzagging through points C to Z. You can choose from a sexy computerized British voice to whatever the Romanian accent happens to sound like. With the mysterious twists and turns found on the California highway system, the GPS was a lifesaver. Plus, it let us skip the agonizing folding process of the antiquated maps found in the glove compartment.

The Residence Inn La Jolla is a trendy destination for families and it’s easy to see why; free breakfasts, happy hour on the weekdays, volleyball and basketball courts, pool and picnic areas, and the ever-so-spacious suites make this hotel the place to stay.

You can’t expect to be low-rolling when you’re in the So-Cal area; hotels don’t come cheap and nice restaurants will have you ordering based on the right-side of the menu. But if you’re willing to spend some extra coinage (or if you’re traveling with the rents), the La Jolla area knows how to mix fun with sophistication.

One of the best meals out of my life came in the form of a German restaurant. Before entering the Kaiserhof Restaurant and Biergarten (2253 Sunset Cliffs Blvd), I could only assume we’d be inundated with sausages and sauerkraut, but being German, I should have known better. Instead, there was an extensive menu with homegrown delights that would tempt even the most unadventurous of eaters. About $15 will get you the Kasehahnchen (chicken coated in grated cheese and paprika sauce), which comes with potato leek soup, and a choice of two sides, my selection being the bread dumpling and a potato pancake. Delicious.

If you’re feeling less foreign and more like fermentation, there are several breweries to choose from in the La Jolla area. The Rock Bottom Brewery is mere steps away from The Residence Inn and offers a great beer and dinner selection. If you check out Karl Strauss, a local brewery, stick with the beer and skip the mediocre food. Same goes for The Spot (1005 Prospect St), which gave my brother a bout of food poisoning, but offers good drinks and a lively, young atmosphere.

San Diego’s nightlife knows how to entertain. The world famous Comedy Store in La Jolla often has recognizable acts on the weekend. Same goes for The House of Blues in downtown San Diego where a variety of bands rock the premises nightly. Check out this site for some tips on where to go or the one for even more must-see clubs.

As great as the nightlife proves to be, the daylife is just as exciting in San Diego, but with better views. Stop by SeaWorld and say hi to Shamu, or Free Willy, or whatever famous whale happens to be on display. Or you can scale it down and explore the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, which is full of fascinating aquatic creatures. $11 for adults and $8 for students, the Birch Aquarium is interactive and fun for about an hour. I met up there with my Cruces friend Weslie who was also on vaca and we saw everything we needed to see in about 45 minutes. If you’re looking for a day-long underwater adventure, stick to Sea World.

If golf is your game, you’re in luck. Torrey Pines Golf Course (11480 North Torrey Pines Road), the site of the 2008 US Open, is right by Scripps in La Jolla. Certainly not cheap, Torrey Pines offers amazing views and two courses. If you’re looking for a better deal, check out the Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club (14050 Carmel Ridge Rd) and their Web site for specials on green fees. In the words of my brother Mark, the course is embedded in a residential community with views of the surrounding mountainscapes and it provided tight fairways and difficult greens that would challenge even the best golfers.

If swinging clubs at an overpriced golf club or watching dolphins perform in a tank aren’t your thing, the simple pleasure of roaming the beach is always an option (and free). Get mesmerized by the Pacific waves or throw a frisbee along the sandy shores. Mission Beach is packed with the young and the restless, so I’d suggest the beach located off Prospect Drive in La Jolla. After a jaunt on the shores, have lunch somewhere along Prospect, there are dozens of choices, but godspeed trying to find a parking spot.

So while I don't fit into the typical So-Cal persona (being a blond just isn’t for me), I found La Jolla to be an entertaining piece of America that’s a must-see for travelers. The beauty in the landscape and the variety of activities available will make it an enjoyable vacation—but I’d cut it short there. After five days in So-Cal, I was craving to be back in a land of normalcy…

Where parking spots are wide enough for any vehicle bigger than a golf cart, where prices for a latte wouldn’t break your wallet or your spirit, and where people don’t throw elbows when in line at Trader Joe’s. It was a great place to visit, but I’d never want to live there. I like living in a world where the only bikini-clad beach bums you’ll see are on MTV’s Spring Break and where surfboards on roof-racks just look silly.

Updates

UPDATES COMING SOON

• Sunday August 5... La Jolla, California

• Sunday August 12... Upstate New York

• Sunday August 19... New York City

• Sunday August 26... Albuquerque, New Mexico
  

Hit the Road: Summer Road Trip Tips

Whether it’s a two-hour drive to a concert in a neighboring city or a full-blown RV trip cross country, road trips can pack in loads of excitement, adventure, and discovery. Here are some key elements and tips for a smooth sailing road trip.

Music

Compile some of your favorite tunes and make a mix to keep you entertained on the road. Depending on the length of the journey, make a CD for every hour. If you want to get in the driving zone and just chill out, try the Garden State soundtrack for starters. Audio books are sure to keep you engaged for a while, but try to avoid them for the long haul. The best bet for road tunes include those of the fast, sing-along variety, here’s a sample list to make the time fly (and yes, my music taste really is this random):

Black Eyed Peas: Pump It
Cowboy Mouth: Jenny Says
Franz Ferdinand: Take Me Out
Sisqo: Thong Song
Bon Jovi: Livin’ On A Prayer
Journey: Any Way You Want It
Ben Folds: Song For The Dumped
The Killers: Somebody Told Me
Katrina and The Waves: Walking On Sunshine
KT Tunstall: Black Horse And The Cherry Tree
Modest Mouse: Float On
Wham: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
Shania Twain: That Don’t Impress Me Much
Gomez: GirlShapedLoveDrug

Food

Grab some non-meltable snacks for the open road and stock up the liquids. Pack it in a cooler if you’re feeling fancy, otherwise just rock that Thirst-Buster til you’re down to the last drop.

Travel Allies

Needless to say, you should get along with your travel buddies. Hours upon hours stuck in a 5x6 space can lead to major drama if you don’t combo the right group of people. Also, make sure everyone knows they’re paying equal parts for gas.

Gas money

Speaking of pitching up cash for gas, set aside a budget for the road. If anything, overestimate the amount you’ll need to devote to gas. With disgustingly high prices right now, this summer might not be the best time to hit the open road in the states. Check prices HERE so there won’t be any surprises.

Keep to a Schedule

Set some goals while you’re barreling down the interstate; it’s not the time to be sleeping in till noon and getting a late start. There’s no need to be uptight—your passengers certainly won’t appreciate that—but have a good idea about where you should be and when. Daylight will be your best friend.

Be willing to go off schedule

Go see “The Thing.” Grab a Thirst-Buster. Eat at sketchy roadside restaurants. Driving to your destination should be half the fun, so be willing to ignore part of your schedule to take part in an unplanned adventure.

Click It or Ticket

Buckle up, it’s the law, and beyond that, it’s sensible.

Here are some pictures from my most recent road trip, albeit a short one. It was my final ride from Tucson to Las Cruces. After three years living in the ‘zona and making the four hour drive home a few times each semester, I’ll miss seeing the scenery that kept the trip interesting (well….tolerable, at least).

See the World: Finding Frequent Flier Miles

Blackout dates, not redeemable, bonus miles.

All of the above are frequently heard phrases when dealing with frequent flier miles—although the latter is the only one you hope to hear.

A good majority of my excursions have been paid for through way of FF miles, without which, I wouldn’t have seen the likes of the Cote D’Azur or Big Ben by now. My parents are of the frequent flying variety and so I’ve been able to redeem their many miles for my own trips—much to my brother’s chagrin.

But I digress…

FF miles actually give the avid traveler more options, despite the inevitable blackout dates, as you can fly multi-city destinations. For Spring Break ’06 I hitched a flight to London and then managed to fly from Paris to Dublin, Dublin to Tucson…all for 40,000 miles.

But what does 40,000 miles translate to? Depends on the airline and the days you intend to travel. I got to Europe on 40,000 through American Airlines, but switch to one day later and you could be looking at 100,000 miles for a roundtrip.

The best advice I can offer for when you want to book with FF miles is to look at the all the possibilities. Arrange all the combinations of days, airlines, and destinations to find the cheapest deal. The deals exist, you just have to find them.

Also, sign up for FF mile rewards programs early and often. File away all the zillion-digit FF numbers that airlines will assign to you because they will come in handy. You won’t want to miss out on 5,000 added miles when you fly coast to coast because you lost your number or didn’t take the time to fill out the FF form.

Most applications can be found online and are free to sign up (see links below). And if you want to earn miles from your latest trip, send the airline a copy of the ticket; usually within 12 months of your flight you can earn miles on it. If you forget to use your awards number when you made the reservations, be sure to tell the agent when you are checking in to fly, as it can easily be added.

Remember to beware of all things categorized as “too good to be true.” I’ve been tempted many a time to sign up for credit cards offering miles for dollars spent. Besides the fact I don’t spend that much on credit, the possibility of getting screwed over with annual fees or a high APR is at an all-time high with reward cards.

Drawbacks to flying on the FF miles: a limited number of seats are allotted to frequent fliers and blackout dates are a killer when you only have a small inflexible window of opportunity.

But despite the drawbacks, if you’ve compiled enough miles over the years, they are bound to be useful at some point. Keep on earning and eventually you’ll get that free trip to Tahiti you’ve been dreaming of. Until then, sign up for all the FF mile programs you can and keep exploring new worlds.

Below are links to sites to enroll in airline reward programs and then different awards charts available through each airline.

Sign Up for Rewards

American Airlines (AAdvantage)

Delta (Sky Miles)

Southwest (Rapid Rewards)

United Airlines (Mileage Plus)

US Airways (Dividend Miles)

Award Charts

American Airlines

Delta

Southwest

United Airlines

US Airways

Las Cruces: Where Food Bites Back

Spice up your daily cuisine routine and head to Las Cruces, New Mexico to heat up your taste buds and try the best Mexican food your tongue will ever savor.

There are great debates concerning the best Mexican comida, but the L.C. cannot be beat in terms of mom and pop restaurants offering foods from below the border, above the border.

Out-of-towners should resist the disgraceful temptation of Taco Bell and hunt around for those hard-to-find, holes in the wall. Atmosphere might be lacking, décor a bit lackluster, but the better Mexican restaurants often come in ugly, brown packages. They can't all be Casa Bonita.

Green chili, sometimes red, is the way of the world in the land of enchantment. If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the state. But if you are willing to experience the explosive tang, order up some smothered enchiladas to knock your socks off.

If you want the green chili “whole enchilada” without the actual enchilada, try a chili relleno. It’s deep-fried goodness wrapped around a cheese-stuffed green chili. Chances are if you’re dining in Cruces, the chili is locally grown, most likely from Hatch, 20 minutes north of the city.

Seeking something crunchy opposed to the typical soggy serve-up? Flautas are the way to roll. A corn tortilla formed into a cylinder shape, flautas can be full of chicken, beef, or cheese.

So as for where to get the aforementioned tasty chow in Las Cruces, check out my top ten Mexican joints in the area. It has taken years for me to craft this list into perfection, so take note of my sincerity when I say, these places will rock your world.

1. Cha-Chi's. 2460 South Locust Street.
The attentive staff, cheap food, and delicious entrees will keep you craving this place days after.

2. Andele’s. 2184 South Highway 28.
A salsa bar is definitely as cool as it sounds and a quaint patio in the back makes Andele’s on the edge of Mesilla a great stop. Don’t let the dirt parking lot deter you.

3. LJ’s/ Mi Rinconcito. 1605 South Solano Drive.
For years my generation has been calling this restaurant LJ’s and for the life of me, I have no idea why, but nevertheless, the $4 student special is the cheapest lunch deal in town. Chips, salsa, drink, taco, and a smothered burrito are your best bet.

4. Chilitos. 405 South Valley Drive.
Two locales, one worth frequenting. With a hint of garlic, their salsa is by far the best in the city.

5. Twisters. 800 South Telshor Blvd.
It looks tacky, fast-foody, and empty, but for take away, Twisters offers a great selection for parties. The $50 green chili chicken party enchiladas are a staple at Harben family events, without fail.

6. La Posta. 2410 Calle De San Albino.
This Mesilla restaurant right off the square has fish in aquariums and birds in cages, not to mention gigantic plates of food for dinner. About $10 per plate for the combo meals, La Posta has the size, taste, and atmosphere all on its side.

7. El Sombrero. 363 South Espina Street.
Talk about cheap and delicious, El Sombrero is good for lunch or dinner, especially if you sit on the enclosed patio.

8. Roberto’s. 908 East Amador Avenue.
This place used to be higher up in the rankings, but has subsequently dropped due to poorer service and failing multiple health inspections, but it still ranks at numero 8 because of history and loyalty.

9. Bravo’s Café. 3205 South Main Street.
Three words: chili relleno burritos. Only reason to go and get it take-away.

10. Ranchway Barbeque. 604 North Valley Drive.
It’s on this list as a favor to my brother, because it ranks in his thanks to the brisket inserted in the flautas. Worth a try.

I've met a great deal of opposition and have encountered ragin'-cajun debates about the above list. So, put in your two pesos if you don't agree; leave a comment with your picks.

This blog can also be found on: tasteofenchantment.blogspot.com

Sites for Flights: Best Bets on the Web

Kayak
Kayak scours the internet to find the best deals being offered for your selected destinations. It spans its search from the other travel discount sites to airlines themselves.
Drawback: No Southwest flights are included in the fares.

Site59
Need to jet to New York or hit the California coast this weekend? Check out site59. It gets you a flight/hotel combination for the upcoming weekend at the lowest price they can find. Car rentals are also included if you so choose. But be quick, deals on site59 are snatched up by the second.
Drawback: Now you see a cheap flight, now you don’t.

FareCast
Buy now or buy later? Booking flights online is like buying a new electronic device you’ve been researching for months--the minute you buy it, the next minute it’s cheaper or a better version comes out. But have no fear, farecast.com is here. You can find price predictions for 75 US cities and see when the best time to book will be. They calculate this based on the history of flight prices and other mathy techniques I don’t know about.
Drawback: Only domestic flights are included at farecast.

Best Fares
This site claims to save you up to 70 percent on flights. I don’t know about that, but Best Fares definitely gives you an idea of the absolute cheapest flights around the world. There’s no need to subscribe, unless you are a really frequent flier. When you search for a trip, the site will first show member-only prices, but look below that to see what the everyday-traveler can get. Snooze You Lose and Last-Minute Deals are fantastic.
Drawback: The Quickfare Finder does not include European destinations and the number you have to call to book will put you on hold for… a while. But, it isn’t a scam. I booked through Best Fares for a trip from Tucson to Albuquerque last year and it worked (really).

Hostel World
Reviews, pictures, prices, directions, and the ability to book online….Hostelworld rocks my world. Pick a country, any country, and you’ll be able to find a hostel through this site. It gives an extensive list of what each hostel provides and requires from residents.
Drawback: As I’ve mentioned on a previous blog, do not book the hostel that only has pictures of the city or historic sites, without the photos of the actual hostel. The hostel provides the photos for Hostelworld, so if they can’t even post a proper photo, you don’t want to stay there.

Hotels.com
For all those high-rollers out there who don’t need a dirt-cheap hostel, check out Hotels.com. Of all the hotel search sites, this is by far the best. You can search hotels based on landmarks, price, or the site’s recommended hotel.
Drawback: Sometimes it is difficult to find the contact information for the featured hotels.

Trip Advisor
Whenever I book a hotel, I have hotels.com and tripadvisor.com side by side. Go straight to the “Read and Write Reviews” section and find out the truth about the hotel you’re about to book. These reviews are honest and from authentic travelers. The best bit is the “candid photos” because it will show you exactly what you’re getting yourself into.
Drawback: You can’t book through tripadvisor, instead you go through another site.

Airfare Watchdog
Here’s where all of those buried fare prices hide. This is a good site for finding deals that aren’t openly advertised on other sites. They check seat availability, include taxes in the international fares, and they claim to search for "value, not just the lowest fare." Just type in your hometown and let the watchdog do the work.
Drawback: You can’t specifically input from “here” to “there,” instead, you have to put your starter city in and it will find the best deals.

Pack Your Flip-Flops: A Weekend in Tucson, Arizona

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Look beyond saguaros and Spring Training, the rodeo and the rocks, and come discover the non-tourist side of Tucson.

Besides the annual snowbirds, people flock to Tucson for baseball games and tours of cacti, but Arizona’s second-largest city has more to offer than the typical tourist traps. And though these traps can be fun, take my advice on some lesser known Tucson hotspots that have taken me three years to find.

As my time as a Wildcat comes to a close and the upcoming weeks will be my last, I’ve finally figured out my favorite places to shop, be entertained, or eat in Tucson. With graduation on the horizon, families will be rocking the Old Pueblo, so here’s a suggested itinerary to entertain the folks for a weekend:

Friday, 11:00 a.m.

When you first arrive in Tucson, dive right in. Once you’re settled at your respective hotel or dormroom floor, head out to the University of Arizona. Even for those who don’t have any connections to the UA, it’s a great walk as campus is beautiful any time of year (I might be bias, but whatever). The red brick buildings with towering palm trees set against a stark blue sky makes for perfect scenery. While on campus, check out the bookstore for some UA memorabilia or to catch up on some reading. In the student union, head into the U-Mart and get an Eegees. Every Tucsonan knows about this fruity ice treat with a flavor that never seems to end. Whether it’s in the dead of winter or in the sweltering summer, you’ll need a cool beverage and you can get this one for under two bucks. Once you make your way around campus, check out University Boulevard.

Friday, 1:00 p.m.

University Boulevard has all kinds of choices for those seeking to subside hunger and quench a sun-induced thirst. Grab a pint at Gentle Ben’s Brewery and split up some appetizers or head over to Pei Wei for some Asian food with plenty of flair. Feeling like Greek? The Fat Greek on the corner has outdoor and indoor seating, along with misters in the summer. Pizza abounds on the boulevard, but we’ll save that for Sunday.

Friday, 4:00 p.m.

While you’re roaming around University Boulevard, take note of the Old Pueblo Trolley. It runs up and down University and Fourth Avenue all weekend (25 cents on Sundays, $1 on Fridays, Saturdays). Pay the dollar toll and take a ride on the historic streetcar down to Fourth Ave., the hippy-bohemian must-see street. You can get lost in the great thrift-stores, Antigone Books, the Co-Op, and my ultimate favorite, the Hippie Gipsy…you can’t miss the latter, it’s the building with the amazing mural incorporating all the rock n’ roll legends.

Friday, 6:00 p.m.

While you’re on Fourth, stick around and grab an early cocktail at one of the soon-to-be bustling bars before the college crowd takes over. There are plenty to choose from, so pick the one that best jives with your crowd.

Friday, 7:00 p.m.

Check out what’s playing at the funky Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., a local favorite that offers wine and beer with your flick. It usually has some pretty unique feature films playing.

Friday, 10:00 p.m.

End your night with a caffeinated night cap at one of the many Starbucks or if you’re looking for a local alternative, there are several locations of Ike’s and The Coffee Exchange, or find The Epic Café back on Fourth Avenue.

Saturday, 8:00 a.m.

Kick up your hiking shoes and head up to Sabino Canyon for a morning hike (if you’re visiting Tucson in the middle of the summer, you might want to change that to an early morning hike to avoid the very real possibility of heat stroke). Sabino offers the hiker spectacular views and lots of wildlife.

Saturday, 12:00 p.m.

You’ve got a lot of options for lunch in Tucson, but the top favorites include the following. Oregano’s, 4900 E Speedway Blvd., gives you nice outdoor dining and huge helpings of whatever you so choose. The baked sandwiches are perfection and the salads are mountainous, but expect at least a 30 minute wait no matter what time of day you go. Beyond Bread, at several locations across Tucson, is a local goodie with a huge list of unique sandwiches and is good for a quick feast. Saturdays are great Indian buffet days, usually between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Shere Punjab, 853 E Grant Road, could be better; India Oven, 2727 N Campbell Ave., is great; and Cuisine of India, 6751 E Broadway Blvd., will keep you stuffed for hours.

Saturday, 2:00 p.m.

Depending on your preference, I would suggest taking Saturday afternoon to hit a few balls or to hit a few stores. When my brother Mark and his girlfriend Amanda come to town I usually allot the rest of the day to either golf or shopping; I don’t enjoy either, but for some reason, I give into their requests. Randolph Golf Complex, 600 S. Flowers for Alvernon Way, even tempts me to take a few swings on the range and they even offer two different courses if you’d like to take in a round. While the men golf, the women can check out the Park Place Mall just up the road. There’s also a Cost-Plus World Market across the street from the mall, so check in there to find a worldly treasure.

Saturday, 6:00 p.m.

Sick of golf and shopping yet, or is it just me? Ok…check out the Old Pueblo Grille, within a mile of the golf course. It is voted the best outdoor dining in Tucson and you’ll see why. Take in a drink at the lounge or outside and may I suggest the mango margarita, it’s blended to perfection. Stick around for a dinner with a Southwest kick. The Mexican food isn’t out of this world, but it’s such a nice spot for a dinner out, try it anyway.

Saturday, 8:00 p.m.

Chances are there’s a great concert happening downtown at either Club Congress or the Rialto Theatre. Both are great venues and depending on the act, you’ll want to check them out. I’ve seen Keller Williams, OAR, and Gomez rock the historic Rialto and you won’t regret seeing a show there.

Saturday, 11:00 p.m.

While you’re downtown, walk through the Fourth Avenue underpass and hit the bars with the rest of the college crowd on Fourth Ave. The Shanty, Maloney’s, O’Malley’s, and Plush are the favorites...or so I'm told.

Sunday, 2:00 a.m.

Looking for some late night grub after last call? Call ahead and order some pizza and garlic knots from Brooklyn’s Pizza, by far the best pizza in town... take it from an original New Yorker, I know my pizza and knots. If they’re closed, get some Mexican “cuisine” at one of the 24-7 drive-thrus. Del Taco tops my list, but here are some others that Tucsonans swear by.

Sunday, 9:00 a.m.

If you aren’t feeling the aftermath of late night Mexican food, breakfast at Blue Willow, 2616 N Campbell Ave., is supreme. It’s a bit more for the ladies, but men can find some hearty breakfast items, along with the quiche, crepes, and fruit plates.

Sunday, 11:00 a.m.

If you’re craving more shopping, check out La Encantada in the Foothills. It’s a scenic drive to the corner of Skyline and Campbell, where you’ll notice a stark difference in your surroundings compared to central Tucson. Far more BMW’s, Mercedes, and other pretentious automobiles roam the area as the likes of Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, and Muttropolis (a boutique simply marketed for your pets…because who doesn’t need a $200 sparkle collar for their pup?) abound. But it’s fun to walk around this open-air mall and the best part is AJ’s Fine Foods. You’ll want to buy absolutely everything you see, but try to resist as the prices are a bit more than the Albertson’s or Fry's you're used to. The wine section is impressive and their beers from around the world will get your tongue wagging. Check their schedule online to see if they have any classes or wine tastings while you’re there. On your way back from La Encantada, you can check out Trader Joe’s for some of the same type of food/drinks at more reasonable prices.

Sunday, 3:00 p.m.

Head back down to the University area for lunch and check out the Frog & Firkin, a Harben family favorite. The pizzas are gigantic, deep-dish style pies and for under $20 you can feed the family for the next few days. They have some great brews, including the Kiltlifter, which might not be that awesome, but the name certainly is.

Sunday, 5:00 p.m.

Before you hit the road (or the air, depending on how you got to T-Town), grab a grande coffee at the Starbucks up the street from the Frog & Firkin. The cute courtyard usually has a fair amount of students mixed with real Tucsonans and will give you that jolt of caffeine you need for the rest of the trip.

So, this itinerary didn’t involve any cacti or baseballs, but hopefully it will help you pick out some things to do in Tucson that you wouldn’t typically find. After three years in the Old Pueblo, I’ve learned a few things— including the term “Old Pueblo,” which is synonymous with Tucson, by the way. Also, I found out Arizona drivers are crazy, there’s a good restaurant around every corner, and the University makes this town tick. If you ever find yourself here, a place I’ve come to call my home away from home, do whatever it is you enjoy: go golfing, watch Spring Training, take a tour of a cacti museum, spend your money in La Encantada, or bum around the University. Just enjoy your fun in the sun, I know I have.

Where to Stay

You better reserve hotels now if you’re coming in for graduation, as most are already booked up for the May 10—May 13 weekend. But if you can snag a spot in any of the following hotels, go for it.

Hotel Congress
Notorious for its alleged haunted status, Hotel Congress is funky, fun, and freaky all in one. The Cup Café is a nice spot for lunch whether you are staying in the hotel or not and Club Congress boasts great performances most weekends. Very vintage with a Southwestern twist of charm, a room at Hotel Congress can run between $59 to $109. The price is reasonable, but only if you can handle the potential for an other worldly experience.

Arizona Inn
Whether you want a deluxe suite or a private residence house, the Arizona Inn is a historic treasure hidden away amidst a cute neighborhood near the University. Considered in the top 50 small US hotels by the Zagat Survey, the Arizona Inn looks to have gorgeous grounds with an impressive interior to match...I of course, cannot afford it, as prices range from $200 up, up, and way up to over $400 a night.

Best Western
An unexpected and crass choice, I know…but the Best Western Royal Sun Inn and Suites at 1015 North Stone Ave. is close to all the action and is surprisingly large at a very reasonable price. For about $100 a night, the BW is close enough to I-10 to be convenient, but far enough away to not be annoying.

Marriott
Forget about the new JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in the middle of no where that was recently built on the outskirts of town, instead book the Marriott University Park at 880 E 2nd St. It’s insanely close to the University—in fact, you’re practically on campus—and it is the perfect place to spend your Marriott points. The starting bid for a room is about $200 per night.

Forget Paris: Other French Hotspots

Forget Paris.

Instead, walk along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, hit the slopes in the Alps, or explore the Loire Valley outside of Orleans.

My European adventures have usually landed me somewhere in France. So, here’s the rundown on where to visit if you’re craving more French culture and you want to go beyond Paris.

Nice

My first solo trip across the Atlantic was in high school for several weeks in the Cote d’Azur. Jo’s brother was an exchange student there, so the promise of free boarding, sun, and fun lured us to the south of France—oh, and there was the academic aspect, as we took French lessons at the Alliances Françaises, too.

Getting to Nice proved to be challenging. My hate for Charles de Gaulle airport is rooted in this very trip, where I missed my easyjet flight to Nice. I got lost for what would be the first of many times in this god forsaken airport and spent a few hours navigating the shuttle system, customer service, and security in the rain…all “en Français,” of course.

Eventually, I made it on a flight and found myself landing along a gorgeous coastline with the blazing sun beating down on it. I met up with Jo and we rode the bus to her brother’s apartment, merely blocks away from the beach.

We spent two weeks exploring Old Nice, local museums, and the Promenade des Anglais—the street lined with palm trees along the rocky beach and water. Daily swims in the Mediterranean and long walks across town to our French lessons took up most of our days.

The food in Nice is full of variety, but the best bets would be pizza or kebabs. In terms of nightlife, there are a few popular clubs along the promenade. Club Saramanga was hopping, but on the sketchy side of things.

Take a day trip out to Monaco by train and check out the renowned Monte Carlo. We managed to walk around this small area no problem. We tried to find the aquarium, but to no avail…yet, walking along the harbor and grabbing an ice cream at a typical French café proved just as fun.

It's the second-smallest independent city-state in the world and has the most millionaires per capita, according to Wikipedia. It’s probably best explored in a car, but if you’re watching your pennies, you can discover a lot by foot.

Along the Riviera you should also explore Antibes, which is on the way to Cannes. It's a typical resort town outside of Nice. The beaches are fabulous and a covered market is packed with flowers and crafts inland. We took the long way up what seemed to be a mountain to get to a seafront castle, which entertained us for a few hours. Antibes is the hotspot for the really rich, but don’t let this dissuade you from visiting for a day…there’s plenty to do for a thrifty traveler.

Back in Nice, the most memorable part of the trip included flowing music and flowing wine on every corner. It was the Fête de la Musique, which brings out all of France—and subsequently, everyone else, as it is known as World Music Day and it is celebrated all over, from Germany to China, Britain to India. On June 21, local musicians flood the streets and everyone is dancing to the beat of a different drum.

Our last night in Nice before a week-long stint in Paris was bittersweet. We were excited for a Parisian adventure, but sad to leave such a vibrant city behind. Also, we had to take sleeping shifts because we didn’t have an alarm clock and we needed to grab a taxi and 4 a.m. to catch a flight. But other than that, Nice was pretty magical. I almost don’t want to go back, as my memories of when I was 17 and with my best friend in this foreign land can’t be beat.

Grenoble

Amid snow-capped hilltops, below the French Alps, and at the meeting point of the Drac into the Isère River lays the quiet city of Grenoble. Miles away in Southeast France, here is a charming town nestled away in the mountains of Europe.

I can still sense the crisp breeze in mid-March, yet snow was more of a distant memory as the town itself was dry. But you needn’t go far to hit the powdery slopes for skiing in the Alps.

Of course, a trip to Grenoble is somewhat wasted on me, considering I don’t ski. Or snowboard. Or enjoy snow at all for that matter. I’m a flip-flop kind of girl. But, wherever my friends go to study abroad dictates where I vacation and in the spring semester of 2006 that logic luckily landed me in Grenoble.

Jo was studying at the Université de Grenoble for a year and so it was my duty as one of her travel buddies to join her. I was there during the onslaught of the rallies related to employment. I missed the violent protests during which dissenters started to set cars ablaze, throw things at police, and cause mischief on the metro, but France wouldn't be France without a strike, so I wasn't surprised when I encountered numerous protests throughout the country against the CPE.

The CPE (Contract Premiere Embauche or first hiring contract) was a work contract the French government passed for those under 26 years of age. The contract allowed employers to terminate a young person's job during the first two years of work without giving a reason. Employers in the US are acclimatized to this liberty, but the French saw this new contract as detracting from their civil rights.

All in all, the protests made for an entertaining experience, with the pristine backdrop of the Alps making them perfect photo-ops. But other than avoiding the rallies, there wasn’t a lot to do in Grenoble if you don’t ski. Overlooking Grenoble, The Bastille is the most popular of tourist attractions. It's up a huge mountain and is a series of protective forts. Take "Les Bulles," or the circular cable cars, up to the top for about 6 Euros roundtrip.

Orleans

About 80 miles southwest of Paris, the city of Orléans rests within the Loire Valley. More than 110,000 people live in Orleans, including good friends of our family, the Spencers. They've been kind enough to put my friends and I up in their home many times and have shown us the sights.

My most recent trip to Orléans was with Jo and our good friend Rachel from high school, who was studying at the Sorbonne at the time. The three of us met up in Paris and took a quick train down to Orléans for the weekend.

Orléans’ claim to fame is Joan of Arc. Back in the day, she saved the city, so now they honor her with statues all over town, the largest of which is in the center of downtown. Walking along the high street, there are several shops and restaurants and once you make it to the center, there’s a good photo op with Joan of Arc.

Outside of Orléans is the Château de Chambord, the largest castle in the Loire Valley. This massive castle has a rich history and never-ending grounds to keep you entertained for at least an hour or two. The castle is open all year round from 9 a.m. to at least 5:15 p.m. everyday. The entrance fee is under 10 Euros and worth it.

Most of our time spent in Orléans was with the Spencers, getting a taste of French life. I could certainly get used to wine, bread, and cheese with every meal. Orléans is the perfect place to visit to find out what the real French people are like. It’s not a hot tourist spot or home to the rich Riviera type, so chances are you’ll find a slice of real life in Orléans.

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