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Travel Agents for Do-it-Yourselfers

by Brian on May 11, 2012 in How To, Planning and Prep, Travel

When you live an unconventional life you realize quickly that the world isn’t designed to meet your specific needs. From the silly (30 day limits on credit card travel notifications) to the serious (difficulty obtaining health insurance without a fixed address), a range of inconveniences go hand-in-hand with going your own way. Even internet travel resources, as great and as liberating as they are, are built to answer questions different from the ones we need answered.

Sites like Expedia and others are great for pricing airfare on a specific itinerary. If you know the where and the when of your travel, the internet is awesome at aggregating flight options. But what if where and when are secondary considerations to price? The internet is less helpful in answering the question we’re currently asking: what is the best travel deal for a winter flight to a warm weather destination anywhere in the world from any southwestern U.S. city?

Everything is Big

by Brian on May 8, 2012 in Texas, Travel, United States

In keeping with Texas’ well known slogan its State Capitol building in Austin is indeed the largest in the country. Despite its size, the interior isn’t as elaborate as many other state buildings we’ve visited, although the several stories of space under its giant dome is quite impressive.

We also found all of that real estate, 360,000 square feet of floor space and nearly 400 rooms, mostly empty – except for us visitors of course. That’s not really surprising considering the Texas Legislature only meets every other year and then for only 140 days in regular session.

Is regional cuisine still relevant?

by Brian on May 7, 2012 in Food & Drink, Texas, Travel, United States

Ever since the dawn of the spice trade, the work of traveling merchants has helped homogenize world cuisine. Migrants, too, bring along traditional recipes and infuse their new homes with tastes from the old country. The effect is a wonderful variety of constantly improving food, but at the expense of regional and national distinctiveness. In America, where people move freely and trade aggressively, the forces of homogenization are stronger then we often realize.

When we set out on our Great American Road Trip, we expected to be wowed by “authentic” regional cuisine. We thought, for example, we’d find the best chicken and dumplings in the Deep South, and the best Mexican cuisine along the Mexican border and throughout the South West. When we rolled into Texas, we felt like we entered the home turf of America’s all-star barbeque team, and had expectations to match.

The Magic of Marketing

by Brian on May 4, 2012 in Texas, Travel, United States

On some level, we all understand the power of advertising. We know that corporations spend billions each year selling us stuff. Presumably, they wouldn’t do that if they didn’t get some kind of return on their investment. If you’re like me, you tend to think of advertising as mostly informational. For example, I know that Axe body wash exists only because I’ve seen its T.V. commercials. Presumably that brand recognition makes me more willing to throw the product in to my cart.

On a deeper level, I understand that Axe isn’t really selling body wash at all. They’re selling mythical love potions that claim to make hot women lose their minds and their pants. We might know those claims aren’t true (they’re not true, right?) but they’re supposed to create favorable impressions of the product in the minds of the targeted audience. Even if we don’t think the product attracts lusty women, we’re reminded of lusty women when we think of the product.

But are we really all that gullible? I mean we know what the marketers are up to. We understand we’re being sold. So how effective can all of these marketing dollars really be? Judging from a recent trip to Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts, pretty darned effective.

A Slice of Home

by Brian on May 3, 2012 in Food & Drink, Travel

This article by Travel and Beyond on Lombardi’s in New York City reminds me of one of the things I miss about home – some of the best pizza anywhere. In a city of great pies, Lombardi’s ranks supreme; according to me at least.

The genius of this pizza starts with the crust, which is black and crispy on the underside (with pleasant, slightly bitter overtones), but gives way to a wonderfully soft, yeasty interior. Signature toppings like pepperoni and home-made meatballs, along with the restaurant’s famous clam pie, keep locals and tourists alike coming back. ~ Lombardi’s Pizza

Unable to sink my teeth in to a nostalgic meatball pie from Lombardi’s, I’ll have to satisfy myself with a new upstart and contender for the crown. Not a small mom-and-pop traditional pizzeria, but a chain. Mellow Mushroom’s non-traditional pies, particularly its Magical Mystery Tour, give a whole new meaning to the word pizza. It’s not even like the same food. So when we stop in this Saturday for some Mellow Mushroom, we won’t really be cheating on our favorite from home.

Relive our first taste of the Mellow here: Don’t Judge a Pizzeria by its Drug Culture Cred