Mount Fuji on December 6th, 2014.
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Wanted: Fugitive Pigeon
While waiting on a railway platform in Narita, Japan, I spotted this poster. Wanted Dead or Alive: Fugitive Pigeon. My mind flooded with ideas as to what terrible crimes this bird must have committed to earn himself a spot on this post. What did it steal? Who did it murder? Whose car did it poop on? This pigeon was bad news. I searched high and low those 5 minutes on the platform to no avail. Sure there were pigeons, but no trace of the criminal mastermind. He had escaped. Will he reform? Or continue to travel down the dark path he set out on?
The actual translation is something along the lines of “watch out for pigeon droppings. Be careful where you put your garbage.” There is no pigeon criminal out there. Is there?
Singapore Airlines
We departed Los Angeles on Singapore Airlines headed for Tokyo on December 3rd. The staff was exceptionally kind and friendly. The female flight attendants wore dresses with beautiful patterns on them and the men wore suits. The seats were spacious for being 10 across in the economy class. Each had their own footrest and TV screen. The international selection of shows, music, and movies was vast and recent. We each watched 4 movies. The meals served were large and delicious. I have never eaten so much on a plane in my life. We ate two meals and numerous drinks and snacks were offered. I really enjoyed flying with Singapore Airlines and would highly recommend using them next time you plan on traveling to any of the countries they visit.
Eagle Creek Specter Compression Bags
I think this review will have to be updated after I get way more use out of my gear, but so far, I really appreciate these compression bags. They pack like packing cubes, which works pretty tidily if you roll your clothes, but you can also get a decent amount of compression out of them with the integrated zipper. I have been able to fit all my clothes into a larger one and compress it a significant amount, and use the medium size one for socks, underwear, etc. The inside of my backpack is now super segmented, and nothing gets disarrayed if all I want to do is change into my sandals. I have been using a ziplock inside the packing cube for dirty or damp items, which has been working so far.
Note: we also have a set of non-compression cubes in three sizes. We are using one for shoes, one for prescription medicines, and one for a miscellaneous bag. While these are acceptably functional, I would recommend buying the compression style instead. Even if you have all noncompressible items in the bag on one trip, if you don’t need the full space of the compartment, the compression feature allows you to use the same packing cube in a range of thicknesses.
Drylite XL towel
I am in love with one of the items I’ve packed for our long trip – it’s the drylite XL towel, and it feels like a luxury! Since we are flying carry-on only for most of our trips, space is crucial. This towel packs down super small, is even lighter than Matt’s travel towel, and is big enough to be modest or to use as a beach towel. The tradeoff is the texture- it feels like a chamois. I’m ok with the texture, especially because it comes with superabsorbent powers. I could use it to dry off after a shower and then be able to pull the moisture out of some sink washed laundry with absorbency to spare. I have been using it for a couple weeks now and am starting to think it may be my full time towel even when I’m not traveling….
Texas Renaissance Festival
On November 29th, we had the opportunity to attend the 40th annual Texas Renaissance Festival. The only point of reference pertaining to renaissance festivals I have is King Richard’s Fair back home (which I last attended more than 20 years ago). I did not really know what to expect. The traffic on the way to the fest was beyond brutal. It took 3 hours to do a 1 hour trip. We almost turned around but were meeting friends there. Upon our arrival we were greeted by all manner of man and beast. The festival is not just about the Renaissance, it is history and fantasy mixed with sci-fi meeting each other in a wooded Texas backdrop. Scantily clad barbarians, pirates, jesters, knights, a Scottish clan, demons, thespians, hipsters, super heroes, musicians, timelords, satyrs, centaurs, animals, and at least one naughty Santa were amongst the thousands of staff and visitors at the festival. It was quite a sight to behold. One of Chandra’s family friends has been working the TRF for approximately the last 6 years. We met him at the shop he was working at and he later took us for a behind-the-scenes look of Renaissance Festival life. This was most hospitable and definitely cool. It was a long day filled with mead and whimsy. I recommend visiting at least once, but get there early (or come from the North) to avoid the traffic. Chandra says the chocolate covered cheesecake-on-a-stick is to die for.
Tips on getting your Tourist Visa to India
Today we went to our appointment in New York City to apply for our tourist visas to India. We encountered some minor snags, but everything worked out for the best. As a result of this experience, we have compiled helpful tips for those interested in applying for a visa to India.
- If you are going to go in-person to get your visa, you need to go to your regional office (we were hoping to go in Houston, but NYC is the regional office for MA).
- Make an appointment online and fill out, print, and sign all forms presented.
- Bring plenty of $1 bills and quarters to your appointment.The photograph machine costs exactly $12 and does not give change. If you need to print something last minute there are computers available to use, but cost 25 cents per page.
- Bring proof of address. Chandra almost was turned away, but she remembered her lease agreement was in google drive, so she was able to print a copy. (She had moved since she got her drivers license/passport)
- Be patient. There were a lot of people, but things moved pretty smoothly.
- Bring enough to pay for your visa. Each visa cost approximately $100 after taxes and fees.
- Do this well ahead of time, so you don’t have to worry like me. We are leaving Massachusetts in 6 days and are having our passports/visas shipped to our next destination (Houston, TX). I was nervous all morning until things were finally settled. The other benefit of doing this well in advance is you can do it by mail.
- Find a travel agent. Extra costs eliminate all of the hassle, but also all of the adventure.
I hope this list was helpful.
Safe Travels,
Matt
Art FIT for Consumption
Walking through Manhattan today to get to the visa office, we passed the campus of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). As part of Legacy Week, senior year illustration artists had transformed the cement segments on the side of the building into a series of chalk art works. I love street art and thought I’d share some of my photos.
Hiking Mount Monadnock & Leaf Peeping
Mount Monadnock, in Jaffrey New Hampshire, is one of the most hiked mountains in New England for three good good reasons; 1) it is pretty easy to get to the mountain from Boston 2) the hike is very do-able as a day hike for lots of different skill levels, and 3) the views are inspiring.
The above photo is from a hike in early October, which is definitely the time to go if you want to see the autumn foliage. I can also strongly recommend a hike in July if you want to eat wild blueberries while on the trail.
My friends and I strongly recommend hiking up the Spellman trail. It is has the steepest terrain on the mountain, which keeps away the crowds. Part of the trail has some exposed rocky areas that provide some of Monadnock’s best scenic vistas.
If you’re planning a hike there are a few things to make sure you bring: shoes with good traction, water, some layers for the summit (especially in the windy fall), and a camera to capture the views. Access to the mountain via the park is $5 a person, which also covers parking.
The Longhorns of Texas
At George Ranch Historical Park, you can learn about Texas Longhorns up close and personal. Despite the intimidating horns (on both males and females), longhorns are pretty calm. It is fun to get the chance to pet them, and to see the cowboys work, but my favorite part was the dipping vat.
In the 1940s an effort was made in Texas to eliminate a tick which the longhorns were immune to, but which killed off other cattle in the stockyards up north. They led the cattle to a dipping bath deep enough that they had to swim. The bath includes a very low concentration of arsenic, just enough to keep the tick from reproducing.
If you make it to George Ranch, save time to see the cattle – and don’t stand too close to the vat!
the mint tea drinkers society 