So the United States of America is a big country; not only are the 50 states incredibly diverse geographically, they can be so varying in their beliefs and laws, that they could actually be different countries. To truly experience The US of A you need to see the different sights and meet the people who call different states home, and the best way of doing this is by deciding what state or states you want to see, rent a car and travel the distances. Home to historically American architecture, 'old' era charm and hospitality, Spanish Moss, and a whole lot of butter, the South has a lot to offer in a vacation. And what better way to experience it than road-tripping? So here it is, our journey and more specifically, my 'Mouth to the South'.
So choose your route and the main places you want stay along your way. We were starting off in Orlando after a week in Florida (Disney Done Right is to come), then driving up the East Coast stopping in Savannah, Charleston, and finishing off in Atlanta. Now these were the cities that we were going to spend at least 3 or 4 days exploring, as in all road trips you don’t want to spend the entire time actually on the road! After working out the length of our stay in each city, we searched and booked those hotels. This is essential with places you intend on spending a few days in as you don’t want to be worrying about finding hotels in big cities after driving miles to reach the destination. Also planning a trip is half the fun, so do the research beforehand, and figure out where in the city you actually want to stay. It's always about location, location, location. I always like to be in the thick of it, as to truly experience the heart of a city and having driven for hours, it is nice to leave your car for a few days as to use public transportation or better yet, walk.
Tayah's Take for best spontaneous decision: Now my point previously is true for a main destination of your travels, however it is nice to have one or two nights of spontaneity when traveling between your key cities. It is easy to find a hotel room for a night along main routes in the States. Driving until you get tired, looking on the map and seeing what towns are near for you to explore is a must of any road trip. Just take the chance!
Tayah's Tip for roading tripping the USA: Triple A TripTik (http://www.aaa.com/travelinfo/maps-directions.htm).
If you are a member of AAA, a service that provides emergency road side assistance, then you can go pick up free road maps of the entire country. Each map also gives you information on the cities and towns along your route with a quick list of things to see. This is very helpful when making that spontaneous decision.
So we left Orlando after having an action packed few days of park hopping and a return to feeling like my five year old self on Xmas day or indeed back at Dinseyworld! On to the more historical and cultured part of our trip. Our next main city would be Savannah and we had time to get there as our hotel room was not booked until the day after. This was going to be the unknown part of our trip. The plan was to stop for lunch and an afternoon stroll somewhere in the northern part of Florida and then we hoped to rest out heads once in Georgia.
St Augustine was immediately decided as our afternoon destination. It is the oldest European-established settlement in the United Sates having been founded in 1565 by the Spanish. What's amazing about this little city, is the architecture.
Driving off the 95 there is suddenly a real sense of being somewhere else- it certainly doesn’t' have your standard Floridian architecture. It feels more like a costal Spanish village, warm terracotta reds and oranges splash the buildings. The oldest school house in the States is in the centre of town, it's basically a log cabin and a pretty garden but for the small fee it is worth a visit just to get a feel of what school life used to be like, particularly if with kids.
There is a fab popsicle shop called The Hyppo, all natural ingredients and perfect to have a slurp and a lick while wandering down St George Street. Exploring the Castillo de San Marcos Fort would be a great activity if one has longer time in this pretty city.
After our little stroll, we decided it was time to get on our way. We purchased some candy, blasted the show tunes, and had our list of car games on the ready (check out: A Game To While Away the Time).
Driving out of Florida, swampy trees towered over a very straight freeway. As the sun was starting to set we thought it was time to find a spot to rest our heads and have a yummy meal and perhaps a couple of cheeky cocktails. We noticed that there was a section of interconnected islands on the coast and our TripTik told us there were some lovely little towns doted throughout. Off we went onto a smaller road to the coast and the terrain started to change to marsh land with rivers flowing through an expansive space.
We started getting excited as we reached a harbor and then some very beautiful houses doted between oaks with Spanish Moss. Saint Simons Island was where we were headed and when we got there, oh how we desperately wanted to stay. We drove down the lovely high street full of beautiful shops and crowded restaurants hearing sounds of laughter and deep notes of southern jazz. All American-quaint, yet tons of fun. We drove around and found quite a few hotels and B&B's, booked one with vacancies and were set!
We wandered down Mallery St. and headed to Mullet Bay Seafood Restaurant(http://mulletbayrestaurant.com/#_=_) to sip Mint Julips and eat Fried Shrimp Po-Boys, which is a southern classic submarine sandwich that hails from Louisiana. Sitting on the veranda listening to the sounds of Cicadas, Florida, though only an hour south, truly felt like a world away. Florida is not considered part of the deep south and once you enter Georgia you realize there truly is a different feeling. All my visions and expectations of the deep south were met at St. Simons, quaint and charming with an undercurrent of energy and fun.
The next morning before heading onwards, we strolled along the seafront, visited some lovely antique shops and stopped off at the Lighthouse. I could have easily spent days in this little seaside town. Saint Simons is one of 4 islands that make up the Golden Isles and I plan to explore the rest of them and the port city of Brunswick some day but at this moment it was time to head off to the 'big city'.
This is the end of Part 1. Look out for the next parts as I dive further into the Deep South discovering Savannah and Charleston. Please note, I truly ate my way through the South so many restaurants, bars, and southern dishes, are to come along with some very pretty homes!
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The Best Car Games (in my humble opinion):
What are your favorite games?
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My passion for all things Parisian started a long, long, time ago. As a child, my feet stepped onto those higglety pigglety cobble stone streets frequently. You see when we would fly over to visit family in the UK, a little pop over to France was a common occurrence. I would get whipped around Paris through a whirlwind of attractions to 'tick off the list'. Now don't get me wrong, these are places everyone deserves to see: a trip up the Eiffel Tower, a visit to the Île de la Cité to see if we could spot Quasimodo swinging on the bells of Notre-Dame, views from Sacré Cœur- the heartbeat of the City, and the magnificent museums, to name a few, the big 2: the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay. This is the same way most tourists see Paris, and that's just it, there is an abundance of things to SEE. You are in Paris for a couple of days, how could you possibly choose to leave anything off 'the list'? Shall we wander up the Champs-Élysées and see the Arc de Triomphe, head into the Panthéon or around Opéra de Paris, take a boat along the Seine (I hear they turn it into a beach at this time of year), or find the Moulin Rouge at the foot of Montmartre? How can anyone choose? But you will have to make decisions and save a destination, view, place, or attraction for your next visit. I never leave somewhere thinking it will be the last time I go there (except on the very rare occasion that I had a truly terrible time-Im looking at you Valparaiso, Chile, but that story is for another day). I always want to believe that there will be a next time.
So please feel free to choose your "must see attractions" for your visit but below are the places and experiences that have shaped my perception of Paris and I hope these help you to discover a Paris unlike a tourist and more like a Parisian.
Tayah's Tip: Inspiration before your trip
The movie/movies: the French make great cinema, films such as Amélie and The Intouchables delivers a great view of Paris. Also the American movie, Midnight in Paris gives you a glimpse into the city during the height of artistic expression. For something different, the French film I would definitely recommend would be La Haine, a black and white film made in the 90's which will give you a view into a Parisian life you most likely won't see; hard-hitting, raw, and captivating.
The Music: for a bit of classical, a little Debussy and cabaret style with the queen of the genre: Edith Piaf. I would also recommend Françoise Hardy, Serge Gainsbourg and the French/Italian singer who is married to the former president of France: Carla Bruni.
It wasn't until I moved to Paris at 19 that I realized Paris is most certainly not a city to rush through. This is when my love affair with Paris truly started. They say it is the city for lovers and that might be true, but it is also the city to be alone in, to get lost in. The French have a word that literally means to wander, stroll, and saunter, therefore I implore you to do just that, and become a Flâneur. You see, you cant just SEE Paris, you have to experience it. And I know this might sound cheesy, but as you discover Paris with your pigeon french, and lack of a map or guide book, you discover yourself and in a way, what you are capable of. Now this same concept could be true to most who immerse themselves into a city, (an idea I try to live by in each new location) but it is the way the winding Parisian streets invite, lead, and almost pull you in, like Alice discovering Wonderland. You are unsure of where or what direction you are heading, but oh, one more street, it just looks so enticing. Don't be wary, allow this to happen. You will discover that one amazing book shop full of dusty old stories that perhaps haven't been touched for years, or a très chic boutique with clothes you could never possibly buy but oh to pretend! And don’t worry you will always find a beacon to guide you out, if not a Metro, my North Star was mostly the Pompidou Centre with its odd yet alluring shapes. You see I became enamored with Le Marais, an area of Paris I had never been to before. Picture little streets all leading somewhere but it is not easy to find your bearings in (even though you boast to have amazing directional skills). However once you are there you realize you never want to get to the destination anyway because the journey is the truly exciting part. A good place to start you expedition through the Marais is at the Place des Vosges, a square with “Do you hear the people sing” Les Misérables' author (for all your non musical theatre people) Victor Hugo's house as a museum on the corner. Go and explore.
The shop, ok the shops: Zadig & Voltaire, and Comptoir des Cotonniers both of which you can find in the Marais, along with many other locations around Paris. Also check out the two clothing-abundant, architectural gems: Galeries Lafayette and Printemps (there are plenty of bars and eateries inside so partners can sip champagne instead of watching their significant others shop)!
The place to stand: Point Zero, alright so this is a little cheesy, but who doesn't like a bit of Brie, especially while in France. Point Zero is a little plaque in the ground in front of Notre-Dame, and this is quite literally the centre of Paris, and what's more, this is where all distance charts are taken from. They say if you make a wish while standing on this point it will come true, perhaps wish to come back to this beautiful city.
Oh how I love a bike ride. Despite the fact I didn't bike on a two wheeler till the age of 11, and have had a few very clumsy and exceedingly embarrassing bike falls, I love a good bike ride. And Paris is a perfect place to do just that. Grant it, I have never ridden a Boris Bike in London, something I am ashamed to admit, particularly because I loved zooming around on the Parisian public bikes. It is easy to understand the Vélib’ renting system as there is an English option on every kiosk. Just simply follow the directions and what's more, there are over a thousand bike stations around the city, so plenty of places to jump on and off. The Bois de Boulogne, literally the forest of Boulogne is Paris's answer to Central Park (although is 2.5 times larger than its American counterpart) and is as great place to ride to and ride in. After your 'strenuous' ride there is a lovely restaurant that is surrounded by water in the middle of the park, where you can rest your feet and fill your bellies. They have a little 'ferry' that will take you and your bikes to it. Surrounded by water, greenery, and French wine (or champagne), what more could you want? It is called Chalet des Îles.
Another great place to ride to is the Père Lachaise Cemetery. Now I know what you are thinking, why on earth would I choose to go see dead people, let alone have a cheery bike ride there? But this place is beautiful, and so many amazing artists have chosen this place for their eternal rest, the people buried here will surprise you and the tombs are all individual works of art. I went during an autumn dusk, where the sun cast an aery glow to everything it touched, and I found myself realizing why this place became the chosen spot.
Palace of Versailles...never once while I lived in Paris did I go, why oh why, no Versailles? I mean it is at the end of one of the RER's (c). Paris has both the Metro and RER (kind of like London’s overground system, although the trains are double deckers [so cool] and are actually underground in many places). Now the palace itself is truly magnificent, I mean how could it not be? This was the home to the sun king. It is not however the palace I wish I had discovered before, but the exterior space: the gardens, the lake, the theatre and farm. Oh Marie Antoinette you may have lived in the La La land of cake, but what a truly idilic land you created. Rent a bike there on the grounds and have a cycle through. I want to live on the farm and perform in the theatre, end of.
Next on the list, people watching. Lounging about with some smelly cheese you picked up from a Fromagerie, wine, and a baguette preferably in the sunshine, and if you are brave enough, a sketch book. If you are really opposed to drawing, take a journal or a book but I would ask you to give it a go, no one has to see your art if you don't want them to, but who knows you could end up being an exceptional artist and bam, new career started, it is the city of art. Paris is the best place to observe others, like most countries where they speak the romantic languages, the French really take the time to enjoy life, many prefer to have a long break in the middle of the day, leaving work for an hour or two and working later into the evening. Therefore lunch time is a good time to do this. Paris is full of beautiful gardens with benches and sun loungers, that lean back. The best places to immerse yourself are: Palais-Royal and the Jardin des Tuileries, very near each other, Jardin du Luxembourg, and a cafe, any cafe. Immerse yourself, sit and take in the surroundings, you will find you blend in with the locals.
The place to eat, drink, and be merry: on the Île Saint-Louis, overlooking the back of Notre-Dame, is a hip, chic, and modern brasserie called St. Regis. You can sit outside (underneath heaters in the cooler seasons) overlooking a destination people are constantly crossing through, or sit inside surrounded by warm lighting and tiled walls. They have an extensive cocktail list with happy our from 7-9. And food wise they have some French classics with modern twists, beef tartare but the duck is the star! They even a hearty burger if you are craving one. A mid afternoon delight would be ordering the cheese and meat selection boards and a carafe of their wine, (we had L'esprit, Côtes de Gascogne, the cheapest on the menu and delicious). Whiling away the time, overlooking a stunning piece of architecture and people watching, what could be better?
The bookshop: particularly if you are studying abroad and needing some English literature: Shakespeare and Company, is the place to be. A stunning bookshop full of quirky rooms, book stacked walls, cinema sits to read in, and little notes from people all around the world who have visited. It is like stepping into another world.
The art piece: Rodin's The Kiss...go to the his museum which is situated in the old Hôtel Biron which was his workshop from 1908. This is my favorite museum because it is so personal and intimate. Have a wander through his gardens and perhaps pick up that sketch book again.
Tayah's Take: Bottom line, go with your lover, family, friends, or on your own, choose which attractions you must see, because they are wonders, and then go off the 'beaten track' (if you can call those beautiful avenues that). Stop and smell those roses, and trip on those cobble stones, trust me, it will be well worth it.
]]>I've got one word for you: BBQ. As I've gotten older my appreciation for this American pastime of grilling out has really grown...I mean seriously...even if you are a veggie, corn on the cob just tastes better when it has been wrapped in tinfoil and chargrilled. But I'm not going to talk about the veg, I'm here to talk about Pig. Pork what a versatile meat and man oh man does KC do it right: pulled pork, ribs, and the best of the best- burnt ends. Haven't heard of them? Then you probably haven't been to the Midwest, but I would just say they are the fall off the bone/melt in your mouth supreme bites. Beef brisket is suppose to be pretty wonderful too but to be honest the pork always pulls me in. So you arrive Friday evening and you want your meat? Where are you gonna go? Well there are the big three: Fiorella's Jack Stack, Joe's Kansas City (Oklahoma Joes), and Gates and Sons. They are so popular that they all have multiple eateries throughout the city. Jack Stack is a little more high end, Joe's- you order, pick up, and seat yourself, and all Gates staff actually do training at their own "Rib Tech". Believing there had to be one champion for the locals, I asked around and was told to try them all, for everyone has a different favorite which translates to: all must be pretty damn good. If you are a true fan of Barbecue perhaps skip out other restaurants to try a different one each day.
Tayah's Take: Burnt Ends at Jack Stack. Sounds weirds but tastes great!
Head to http://www.theoriginelsewhere.com/a-weekend-in-kansas-city/ for the full article on KC.
]]>The Pisco Sour, a drink that I may have had one too many of while backpacking in South America, is a delicious concoction. Simple in its ingredients, the classic cocktail has simple syrup, citrus juice (of the lemon/lime variety), egg white (Peruvian, Chilean's just shake the hell out of it), bitters for garnish (optional), and Pisco- a brandy like substance made from both Peruvian and Chilean grapes respectively, of course. And in that, the battle ensues. Who owns this drink? A topic frequently debated in Latin America. Both claim the drink not only as their national cocktail but as the country that invented it. The irony? Peru claims that an American bartender created the drink while working in Lima while a Chilean historian believes an Englishmen working in the port town of Iquique mixed the key ingredients together. So Iquique is in modern day Chile but at the time was part of Peru and to add even more confusion, this might have simply been the creation of The Whiskey Sour. But you know, no matter the inventor or origin or the fact that each nation claims ownership, (I mean Peru is pretty hardcore over this drink, they even have a public holiday every February to celebrate the Pisco Sour) it is a pretty classy drink that does vary from grape to grape. Both countries hold great pride in making these darn good drinks. So whether you buy from Chile or Peru (I won't tell) have a little fun at home and see what you can do with your version of a Pisco Sour.
Tayah's Take: Try the Egg White!
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In 2015 the Argentine show Fuerza Bruta turned 10 years old, so to celebrate its global success, a write up!
Imagine entering a large, open, warehouse packed full of anticipated people standing, unaware of exactly what they are going to witness, is it a rave, concert, some sort of new-age ritual, or a show? You will be subjected to all of these events during the course of the night. A massive space, all surfaces including the walls and ceiling being turned into a wild playground, truly sensorial, you are not going to see a show; you are going to experience a ride through a dream-like world.
The show was to be felt rather than thought about, taking the audience on an emotional journey rather than a linear one, allowing every person to create their own interpretation. Reality takes the back seat while: images, noises, textures, tastes, and smells are used to affect the whole being, not just the mind. Action takes place all around, as banning the division between audience and performers was forefront in the creation of the show. Therefore, everyone is connected in this atmospheric world, dancing and creating as one. The form of communication is conveyed physically rather than vocally, breaking language barriers and impacting so many people around the world.
Carnivals and festivals: a return to rituals and celebrations, is at its very core, as the experience not the story, is what is important. And Argentina itself, has always been the backbone of the cultural inspirations. The creators are Argentine, the original spectators were Argentine, and the soundtrack consists of a tribal type Argentine music called Murga. This distinct quality plays a major role mixing with modern electronic music to breech the gap between the new and old scenes of Argentina. Fuerza Bruta has travelled around the world but the origins will always remain the core stimulus.
It is primitive, progressive, and most importantly, ever-transforming, so book tickets and experience for yourself a thrilling night of chaos, amazement, and pure exhilaration.
Currently the show is playing at the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York, as well as in Lima, and Buenos Aires. Not near one of those locations? No worries, it tours internationally, so no doubt will be near you soon!
Tickets in New York are around $75, but I found a company offering $45 tickets.
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A little sneak peek at the new Disneyland Shanghai. The park opened June 16th 2016. YIPeeeeeeeeeeee!
]]>My dear friends have just gotten back from their summer holiday on a Greek island. They had booked to go to Lesbos (Lesvos) many months ago. The media has been overwhelmed with footage of migrants and refugees awaiting passage through places like Calais and Budapest, and of course, of the boats arriving on Greek islands, the first stop of a very long journey. I have to admit until I spoke to Naomi, I had no great understanding of the magnitude of the situation. My friends were going for sun, sea, and sand and what they came back with is a huge level of understanding, knowledge, and humility that they have shared with all of us. To put things into perspective, the UN says around 50 inflatable boats a day arrive on Lesbos alone and my friends saw this day and night. Greek locals would rush down to the boats to give water and supplies to families that had crossed miles and miles of land and sea. To quote Naomi: "seeing a mum and dad with a baby, a two year old and a three year old, and knowing that they've walked their toddlers from Syria through countless countries to arrive in Greece, only to have to now cross Europe to goodness knows where, kind of put things into perspective on our 'holiday'". These people left everything they have ever known, had, and loved, to escape. They have risked their lives and are traveling on foot for many miles because they believe that this life is safer than the home they have left behind.
The locals are doing an incredible job in helping where possible but supplies are much needed, "a restaurant owner in the town has set up her own makeshift camp, staffed by volunteers, and reliant on donations". Naomi and Tom ended up leaving the majority of their clothes on the island, and are sending care packages from home.
Every little helps. If you want to contribute to Lesbos specifically, please send: medicine, diapers, clothes, food, money, etc. to:
Hellenic Postal Office of Mythymna,
c/o The Captain's Table 81108
Molyvos, Lesvos, Greece
More information?
4.1 million Syrians are registered as refugees with the UN and more than half of Syria's entire population have fled their homes either to be uprooted somewhere else within the country or are facing an unknown future abroad. These are just a few facts taken from the CNN page linked below, please read, it is incredibly informative.
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/11/world/syria-refugee-crisis-when-war-displaces-half-a-country/
And please check out the official Facebook page and the New York Times video for more specific info on Lesbos. The struggles will break your heart.
https://www.facebook.com/HelpForRefugeesInMolyvos
As I sit writing this in a London Starbucks, my mundane upsets and problems are completely put into perspective. How lucky am I to have been born in a country where I am safe, safe to live freely and able to travel as I please? Many of these people have most likely never left Syria, at the very least we can spread kindness and try to lessen their fear of an unknown world and an unsure future.