|  TraveLetter
| October 2005
The
internet's premiere online travel e-zine — www.justsaygo.com
HOW TO CONTACT US — denise@justsaygo.com
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“I met a lot of people in Europe. I even encountered myself
...”
A
uthor and civil rights activist James Baldwin (1924-1987), from The Quote
Garden, www.quotegarden.com/travel.html
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 Crisp
October, pumpkins, hot soup, shorter
days... and a time
for renewal. It's also time to make
plans for your next adventure past
your home address. Come with us as
we show you a few new sights.
Here's
Fiesta Editor, Vivienne Mackie taking a few
steps at China's Great Wall.
Keep going Viv!
On
a serious note, we'd like to
thank everyone for the donations to the
Red Cross and to Shannon Hurst Lane's
friends. Naeem and Imran Randawa took a
ride to Louisiana to report on Louisiana's
plight. As usual, Hurst Lane opened her
home and heart and took them in as they
traversed the flooded streets and wrote
about the experience. More
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JUSTSAYGO DESTINATIONS
Overboard
in October... traveling
sometimes means taking a journey into the
past. One writer paid homage to her past
in Berlin … Want to vicariously
visit one of the top 50 destinations in the United States? We'll take you there … and
keep reading for an Old West history lesson ...
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Tracing
Jewish History in Berlin
As
an American Jew, Phyllis Steinberg's
visit to Berlin, although filled
with angst, brought her to a new
memorial that acknowledges the
six million Jews murdered in the
Holocaust. After six decades of
silence Germany has opened two
such sites. Steinberg tells us
of the Berlin-based Memorial
to the Murdered Jews of Europe. More And
to Phyllis and our other Jewish
friends around the world, L’Shana
Tovah… a happy and healthy
New Year! |
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Colorado
Springs
Get
in the backseat with Brian Greenberg
and his family as they head to
Colorado to visit one of the
country's most popular destinations. More |
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Bent's
Old Fort: An Open Door into the American
West
Learn
American history with Deborah Erickson
as she visits the Old West and
finds more than a few treasures – old
and new. More |
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JUSTSAYGO FIESTA
Vivienne
Mackie, Fiesta Editor lists holiday, carnivals and
parties all over the world. Visit http://justsaygo.com/fiesta/fiesta.html for
Vivienne's favorites. |
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Chocolate
Festivals Around the World
Chocolate,
the food of the gods.
Chocolate as an indulgence
or a reward. Chocolate
as therapy for a stressful
day, an argument, an
attack of the blues... More |
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TROUBLE
CONTACTING US?
Having trouble getting through
to us at TraveLetter? Please do
not reply directly to this email, from now on please contact
us at denise@justsaygo.com. |
TALK
TRAVEL, Mail Call
This month from Carol Sorgen: "From
the time I was a little girl, I’ve always been a
mail “junkie.” I started subscribing to magazines
when I was about 6..." More
Is
there something you'd like to share with us,
write to Talk Travel at denise@justsaygo.com. |
TRAVEL
EASE — Inflatable Backrest by
Lewis N. Clark
Product
review by Editor-in-Chief Ron Stern
 Having
a bad back sometimes makes public or air transportation
an uncomfortable experience. For years, I stuffed towels
in my airplane seat for lumbar support. Nothing worked
very well. Recently, I discovered the inflatable back
pillow by Lewis and Clark. This little marvel folds compactly
in any carry-on bag. With a couple of puffs of air it
forms into an ideal back pillow for airplanes, trains,
buses, and cars. Now, instead of a stiff back, I arrive
ready to go — without pain. From now on, this will
be an essential part of my luggage.
Lewis
and Clark also manufactures other inflatable neck pillows,
bags, and accessories. Available from www.lewisnclark.com,
in airports and other retails outlets. Retail
price $11.00
Is
there something you'd like reviewed? Let us know before
buying a new travel item. We'll
let you know if it meets JSG's standards.
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 TRAVEL
TIP
For
heaven's sake, please be prepared
when going through airport security
checks. There is nothing worse than
standing behind someone who reaches
the counter and then remembers he
or she has a laptop that must be
removed before it goes through the
x-ray machine. Five minutes later
the line is even longer and four
people are ready to give that laptop
a "makeover." Take off
the watches, coats, belts, and shoes.
And get that briefcase unzipped and
ready. When it's your turn you can
snatch that laptop and put it in
one of those foolish-looking rubber
bins. The people behind you will love you for your thoughtfulness. OK, they may
not love you, but they won't give you dirty looks either.
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PHANTASTIC
PHOTOS
"Perfect
Evening"
by Naeem Randhawa
"Taking
a dive in Curacao" by Ron Stern
Do
you have a photo that deserves a spot
on this page? Send
it to denise@justsaygo.com. We'll
post it here and send you a JustSayGo.Com
TraveLetter prize.
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 TRAVEL
BOOKS: October Review by Keith
Kellet
Phaic Tan: Sunstroke on a Shoestring, a Jetlag Travel Guide
by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner and Rob Sitch, published
by Hardie Grant Books
Take the worst bits of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and
Cambodia, lump them into an imaginary country somewhere
in Southeast Asia and call it Phaic Tan. The
combination creates a place that would make even Birmingham's
Digbeth Street Bus Station look attractive and desirable.
Now, get a team of writers to spoof a guidebook in
the style of the Rough Guides, or Lonely Planet and you
have Phaic Tan.
Well, let's just say this isn't a book to be read in
public places, lest your fellow passengers misconstrue
your frequent chortles of mirth and belly laughs.
It doesn't so much take the mock from the imaginary Phaic
Tanese … unsavory bunch though they are.
It does take a pop at the pretentious and patronizing
style of some travel writers. Maybe there are lessons
we can learn here?
The book paints a 'warts and all' picture - and there
are plenty of warts in this fictitious country. At least,
if you don't step on a landmine*, get eaten by wildlife,
or fall victim to a nasty and usually fatal disease,
you will be protected by your paranoid and unlovely guide,
Tina, from the dishonest Phaic Tanese.
Among other guides is the self-centered Phillippe,
who dislikes all travelers except himself; the snobbish,
self-styled epicure Jonathan; and Sven who could, as
my grandmother used to say, skin a shilling and stretch
it to a half-crown.
This
is the second of a series, which began with Moldavia:
A Land Untouched by Modern Dentistry. Five more are planned.
Can they sustain the humor without it eventually becoming
stale? We shall see …
*(If
that mine was made in Phaic Tan, it probably won't
work!)
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TRAVEL ADVICE
Keep
your daily medications in your carry-on. It's one
thing to lose luggage filled with clothing and
hygiene products. Those are easily replaced with
a trip to the store. Blood pressure, heart and
other medication is not easily replaced, especially
in another country. Keep it with you – you'll
be glad you did. Remember
to check archived stories for more information.
You
can reach us at denise@justsaygo.com. |
 TRAVEL
Q&A
Have
any travel or security questions that need answering? Chances
are we've “been there, done that.” Email us
with questions and we'll get the answers. Remember to check
archived stories too for more information. Email us at denise@justsaygo.com. |
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