Twitter: The Place to Be

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List It: The Best/Worst Places to Live Worldwide

Today The Telegraph ran a photo feature online hailing and nailing some cities around the globe in a “best and worst cities to live in” ranking list.

Though best/worst cities lists tend to be the go-to countdown for publications, this particular survey has some gravitas as it was conducted by Mercer—no, not that kid who sat behind you in honors Geometry, but instead the world's largest human resource consulting firm. In other words, it’s legit.

At first glance, the gallery posted by The Telegraph resembled a Germanic tourist board advertisement, as Swiss and German cities dominate the rankings for the best side of things. Props to Vienna for snagging the number one spot.

Though I haven’t step foot on the soil of a good majority of the top ten, I’ve sampled a taste of these countries and I would whole-heartedly agree with the proposed rank, based on cost of living, variety, culture, and healthcare options. Besides a favorable climate, good food, and public transportation, the aforementioned are the top reasons to gravitate to any city.

Back to the list, you might be wondering: how did the US fare? Don’t get your hopes up, kids. The highest-ranking US entry is Honolulu at position 29. Canada kicked our ass with FIVE cities listed before our first (most Americans can’t even name five Canadian cities without a quick google search). After the States finally got a name-drop in the form of Honolulu, it was San Francisco (30), Boston (35), and Portland (42) that got the next highest rankings for American locales.

Oh, Canada! It’s impressive enough that our neighbor to the north got a number 4 shout-out for Vancouver, but also take note that their five largest cities all got ranked in the top 26. The first largest American city that gets mentioned is Chicago waaaay down the list at 44.

As for the worst of the worst? I’ll admit it—I had to Wiki some of the locations in the top ten worst cities list. This isn’t your typical ranking of places that just superficially seem bad, but are actually livable (i.e. anywhere in Texas). This top ten makes you want to cry, donate some money, then cry again. I’m talking about places like N'djamena (3), Bangui (2) and Nouakchott (8).

And the number one place not to live? Baghdad. Again. I usually forgo any political ramblings in this blog, but I can’t help but toss a few queries out there. Baghdad ranked 215 out 215, and I wonder what it ranked a decade ago, pre-invasion. And stepping further into the usually untouched realm of taking an obvious political stance, check it out: the inhabitants of all the best cities enjoy universal healthcare, whereas the worst tend to be run by capitalistic governments with a hands-off approach. Color me a socialist if that means supporting healthcare for all at reasonable prices.

Lists such as these pose quite the contradiction; on one hand, it makes me appreciate where I’m at, but on the other, it makes me want to escape the monotony of my current location and head to greener pastures—if not for semi-permanent relocation, then for temporary vacation purposes. Good thing I’m headed to London on Friday so I can kick this travel bug that’s been nipping at my heels for months now. And update my travel blog with a real travel story. Until then, friends.

Caff It Up: Starbucks Around the World

The mission: a Grande cup of brewed coffee.

The location: The other side of the world.

The player: A caffeine-obsessed coffee junkie (aka Vic).

I’m always on the hunt for that morning cup of eye-opening coffee, perfected with two sugars and a cream. No matter what time zone I find myself roaming around in, a daily dose of caffeine is a must-have in order to function and to avoid the onset of a headache. Besides, how can I live up to my tourist potential without some java to get me rolling? It might be a travel faux-pas, but I have to admit…I love Starbucks when I’m traveling.

Don’t burn me at the anti-corporate stake yet, I try to hit up all the local cafes and sample the native brews at some point during the day too, but ideally, my first a.m. cup needs to be from a traditional drip coffee machine at the ‘bucks.

Europe has this inexplicable obsession with espresso that I can’t seem to grasp. Whether it be in Portugal where they stir it with a cinnamon stick, or in Hungary where it tends to come in a tall glass, strong shots of espresso are the go-to for caffeine fixes Eurowide. But for me, espresso doesn’t quite quench the desire—and it certainly doesn’t ease the pounding between my eyes (the true sign I’m addicted, I know).

For all those non-Starbucks Euro-baristas out there, take note: an Americano is not the same as a brewed coffee. Two shots of espresso mixed with hot water is not coffee, no matter how much you will it to be. I’ve searched Europe high and low for traditional cups of coffee, but they seem to be extinct—except at Starbucks.

Cue the hallelujah choir when I see that green symbol with the creepy mermaid—it brings me major joy in the a.m. while at home or abroad. With over 16,000 stores worldwide (11,000+ in the US alone), there’s bound to be some amazing locations. Considering my love for the chain of all chains, which Starbucks retail stores top my list of all-time favorite locations around the world? Check out the top 10!

#10. Vancouver, Canada

So our hotel location in Vancouver was altogether interesting—if you recall, it was on a block full of randomocities like hookers, dive bars, and delicious pancake houses. It was also home to a fantabulous Starbucks. And in a country where Tim Hortons rules all, I was pretty ecstatic to find the green symbol.

#9. Munich, Germany

Another shout out to Germany and another shout out to a train station location. The Munchen Hauptbahnhof is pimpadelique—I could spend hours there, especially with this little gem along the last track. My quest for brewed coffee was finally fulfilled after days of an aimless search and it tasted so good.

#8. New York City, USA

Times Square is the epicenter of American consumerism, glitz, glamour, and the location of my #8. The Starbucks there was packed out, with a line out the door. And it was around that very site my brother the Yankees fan got in a fight with a Mets fan (it didn’t come to physical blows, but there was definitely a verbal beat down, with pinstripe power unanimously named the victor!).

#7. Las Vegas, USA

Not one, but TWO Starbucks in The Golden Nugget. Sit outside and observe the passersby on Freemont Street, under the lightshow canopy. Day or night, it’s a treat and I can still picture my whole family sitting out there when we visited for my 21st birthday, as we enjoyed the coffee and the company alike.

#6. Santa Fe, USA

By far the most beautiful Starbucks on the list, this ‘bucks is built of adobe and truly blends in with local architecture. On the inside, you’ll find some local art to peruse—with ridiculous prices to scoff at—art and coffee, all in one! It almost seems like you’re visiting a historic site at this place.

#5. London, England

You might be wondering which London location I love the most, considering all the choices, but the answer may surprise you. My all-time favorite London spot is in Victoria station. It’s a great location when you need to kill some time before your train departs. The side door seems to always be broken, so enter from the front to avoid embarrassment as all the commuters tend to watch as you struggle with luggage (oh, just me then?).

#4. Dublin, Ireland

I hit this Starbucks every time I descend on Dublin and it has yet to disappoint. Located a few minutes from Trinity College, it’s an ideal spot to people watch or avoid the inevitable rain. Grab a plushy chair and sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Though beware: even though the location of the store itself is grand, the bathroom location is on the sketch side of things, but just trust the narrow staircase will lead you where you need to go.

#3. Tucson, USA

Student-friendly vibe? Check. Beautiful patio setting? Check. Convenient location? Check. A few steps away from my old journalism department* at the University of Arizona, my favorite Tucson location is on University Boulevard. Tucked away amidst some leafy trees and near a bubbling fountain, you’ve got to check this spot out. The store itself is gorgeous, with wooden floors and an atmospheric interior. *now the UA School of Journalism!

#2. Oxford, England

Oxford already holds a special place in my heart, so it’s no wonder the resident Starbucks would rank high in my list of hot spots for hot coffee. Located on the always bustling High Street, there’s typically a line out the door, with customers willing to brave the English drizzle to get their cuppa. The size of this store is deceiving—there’s a small front space that expands into a large downstairs quadrant and an even larger upstairs seating area. The top tier of this site has large windows overlooking the main street, perfect for people watching from those overstuffed chairs everyone always vies for. Most visitors I entertained while in the Ox were forced into a Starbucks run to this location (though some were more willing than others, i.e. Mark, Sarah, my dad). So shake off that umbrella and cozy up inside this #2 spot—tell ‘em Vic sent ya (don’t really, they have no idea who I am).

#1. Nuremberg, Germany

Prepare to be dazzled by my hyperbole. From the idyllic location to the superior service to the bold blend they had brewing the first morning I wandered in, this Starbucks is truly magical. The small door almost goes unnoticed along the hectic Hauptmarkt, but keep an eye out when you start approaching the bridge. The small storefront is misleading—turn the corner and be amazed; natives and tourists intricately weave in the cavernous sitting area. Calming Starbucks-style music plays and there’s a constant hum of conversation throughout the store. Venture out the floor-to-ceiling glass windows and sit on the patio along the river. With church bells heard in the distance and a steady flow of foot traffic crossing the bridge, you’ll be tempted to stay at the ‘bucks all day and ignore the rest of your historical surroundings. Then again, there’s always the next morning when the daily coffee custom rears its head yet again.

There it is, my top ten Starbucks spots around the world. But of course, I have yet to visit all 16,000+ locations so the list isn't entirely fair. I guess I have some traveling to do....

Going Global: My Favorite Shots of My Favorite Spots

Check out the slideshow of photos from around the world! I'm not an amazing photographer, but I have been in the presence of amazing landscape. Any locations you see in the slideshow are also featured in previous posts, so dig around in the archives!

Yee-haw: Austin, Y'all!

Don't let Austin's adopted motto scare you, it's really not that "weird" there. Sure, it's the most liberal town in Texas, so that adds a couple points to the weird meter. And yeah, 6^th Street brings out every type of person you could imagine from college kids to middle aged hipsters, so give some points there. And ok, so their mascot is some bizarro alien-frog hybrid that an unstable rock-n-roller spray painted on a wall, but… nevermind, scratch the initial statement. Austin is flat-out weird.

It's also lovable, trendy, and best of all, nothing like the rest of Texas. It's streaming with music, teeming with bars, and crawling with interesting people.

Ever since I got into UT-Austin for graduate school and politely declined their offer, I've craved a trip to the city to see what I missed. I in no way regret attending school in Oxford, but I needed to cure my curiosity of Austin. Cut to my 23^rd birthday and a need for a travel adventure. The players: Mark, Alicia and Sarah. The destination: Austin, TX, baby. Yee-haw!

We booked through Expedia.com and snagged a flight, rental car, and hotel within walking distance of 6^th Street—all for under $350 each. Our economy car ended up being pretty familiar, as it was a Mazda 3. Hotel options abound in downtown Austin, all at reasonable prices, particularly in the midst of January. Radisson ended up being our temporary residence of choice for the weekend, with a double room on the 7^th floor. Good views and even better Sleepnumber beds, I’d probably rock it again and recommend it for the economical traveler.

We arrived in Austin at PPT (Proper Party Time) and after a brief check-in at the hotel, we wandered three blocks up to 6^th Street. This legendary street had a lot riding on it—my expectations were high and I was really banking on it living up to all the hype. Within a few minutes of strolling down the street I knew it would be soon become one of my favorite hotspots for bar-hopping.

Be prepared to make swift decisions because there's a different bar at every angle. We landed at Shakespeare's Pub for the simple reasons that it didn’t have a cover charge, velvet rope at the entrance, or bass-bumping dance jams. Head upstairs to the patio bar and find out the evening's special. Friday was crown & coke night, so we all cheered to that, multiple times.

We met up with Mark's old college buddy, Robert, who he knew from his freshman year of college at Southwestern University (more info on that later). The next few hours we clung to our coveted position at the bustling bar and went through several rounds. Last call signaled it was time to eat and so along with every other boozer out that night, we flowed into the street and bought pizza at Roppolo's. The road is closed off to pedestrians only and it’s a good thing too, considering it filled with hundreds of bar-hoppers with mixed levels of intoxication. A quick walk back to the Radisson with a detour for a few cartwheels reminded me why we invested in a close hotel.

On day two of the Austin adventure, we first had to seek out various hangover remedies, whether it be coffee, bagels, Advil, or just time. Once that was taken of, we ventured out to Georgetown, Texas, home of Southwestern University—Mark’s old stomping grounds. It’s a gorgeous campus, especially if you like limestone. With a student population of only 1,200, it didn’t take long to tour the premises. Mark regaled us with some glory day flashback stories from 1997 and we got a good feel for the campus.

A trip to Austin is pointless without some barbeque. A 45-minute drive south of the city will land you in the middle of no where, but right next door to the middle of no where is Salt Lick—a legendary BBQ joint that's a favorite of Ashley Judd and Matthew McConaughey. If the 45-minute drive wasn't long enough for you, the hour-long wait for a table will certainly bring you closer to your travel companions. Once inside the BBQ shack, there's an alluring mix of meat and smoke and all the fixings for a down-home family style meal. A plate of meat runs for $14 and the all-you-can-eat option will add $20 to your debt and a few pounds to the scale. Make sure to save room for the blackberry cobbler, a must-have treat after all that meat. Though the food was everything we hoped for, I've got to admit, the drive/wait aren't entirely worth it (unless you know for sure Matthew or Ashley will be there). Rudy's isn't just as good as Salt Lick—it's better, and available nationwide.

Saturday night in Austin is just as exciting as Friday night, unless you're still a bit fragile from the night prior. We headed back out to 6^th Street and bar #1 was Maggie Mae’s, a massive tavern with terrible rap-crap upstairs and incredible live music downstairs. Local band Black Tooth played some classic rock mixed in with some soon to be classic rock, like Sublime and The Raconteurs. Reasonably priced drinks and a chill vibe should get you in the door and the music will keep you sticking around. However, come 11 p.m., an influx of annoying people invaded our zone and wrecked our zen, so we explored some other bar options up the street.

Bar #2 enticed us with zero cover charge and an attractive doorman. Friends Bar ended up being the perfect balance of bar and club, so if you're traveling with friends who want to dance, this is the place to be. Luckily, none of my friends do that, so we just bopped our heads along to the beats and chilled with a beer.

The last stop of the evening was a good one—friendly staff, cheap drinks, and a huge selection of food: the H.E.B. grocery store. I highly recommend this Texas institution for a last pit-stop to stock up on some midnight munchies.

Sunday morning we only had to go as far as seven floors to get our daily jolt of caffeine, as the Starbucks is in the hotel lobby (gotta love it). We ventured out to a classic Austin spot for buying tunes and checked out Waterloo Records. We perused the aisles of music and movies for about an hour, but then had to give in to our emerging hunger.

Cue Juan in a Million. This slightly overrated hole-in-the-wall is packed with locals. Don't let the sketchy neighborhood and line out the door detour you, it's not that bad and the wait is only 20 minutes. The main building connects to a covered patio and another house, so there’s plenty of room for hungry, hungover Austinites. We sat at a not so chic, but oh so shabby picnic table and had service that bordered on terrible. The food was fairly lackluster, but under $10, including tip. If there's ever a next time, we'll all be getting the legendary Juan in a Million plate that is spilling over with cheesy eggs, for $3.50 (of course, we only discovered this dish after we placed our orders). I know this place doesn’t sound spectacular, but it’s a local favorite and worth a stop, if only to get a taste for the area, not necessarily the Mexican food. They give Tex-Mex a whole new meaning.

Before we ambled toward the airport for our afternoon flight, we had to swing by the home of the Longhorns. Surrounded by the typical university shops (i.e. Urban Outfitters, Pita Pit, Starbucks), UT-Austin is a large campus with an impressive setting. The campus feel is like any big-ten American university, but here the students bleed orange.

Austin definitely lived up to all expectations, which is a good and bad thing for a travel adventure. I wasn't pleasantly surprised, nor was I unexpectedly disgusted, so overall, I'd say Austin hit the mark. With great food and spectacular entertainment, this accessible city is a standout in the Lone Star State. And so if Texas ever decides to secede, I'll allow it…as long as we get Austin.