A money belt can be important to wear when you’re visiting a place where tourists are often the victims of theft. While it may not help you in extreme situations, it is handy to have for the more common pickpocketing and grab-and-runs that travelers encounter. It can give you peace of mind that your passport, credit cards, and cash stash are safe if your bag gets stolen.

The first time I tried out a money belt was for a high school choir tour (I know, I know) to Italy. I wore it for a day or two before relegating it to the bottom of my suitcase. While I was in Italy, I witnessed a ballsy purse snatching at an open air restaurant and heard tales of fellow tour members being distracted by one gypsy while another stole a bag from them. But I still never wore my money belt. It was bulky, sweaty in the humid Italian summer, and totally indiscreet with its big flap and loud velcro closure. Which is another thing– when you wear a money belt, you don’t want to announce to everyone around you that there are important things to be found under your clothing.

While preparing to go to Southeast Asia last year I knew I couldn’t pull off my usual “keep my mouth shut and pretend to be a local” thing. I heard that tourists in Southeast Asia were prone to pickpocketing and guesthouse staff rummaging through their luggage (true, mostly in Cambodia). I decided I needed to get a money belt I would actually use.

I found a money belt designed specifically for women, the Body Pocket by Design Go. This is about as close to a perfect money belt for women as you can get. It’s made out of thin lightweight lingerie material and it breathes which makes it great for humid climates and being active. You can easily fit a passport, cash, and card in it without it looking bulky on the outside of your clothing. The strap that goes around your waist is basically a bra strap which is adjustable and stays put. It has a zipper on the top which makes it easy to access things when you need to (not so much if you’re wearing a dress though). There were times when I pulled it out and people asked me why I was pulling my underwear above my pants– it’s pretty inconspicuous! I wore it just about every day and even slept with it on during overnight train journeys with sketchy doors and locks. Carrying important things right above your crotch is never fun, but this is a great and comfortable option for women!

I’m not sure if I should keep telling you all about the damn swine flu thing or focus on more important things like a little paradise I call, Cancun!  J  I have read a lot to make sure that everything will be cool-and-the-gang when we get down to Cancun and have also called Royal Holiday several times to get their take. They have sent us a bunch of relevant info, not only about our reservation and special offers, but also regarding the safety measures they are taking at their resorts. We already know that every day, all common areas are being sanitized, they are guaranteeing that no one with the flu has been on the ground to this point. They’ve even discontinued certain buffets for hygienical purposes (check it out: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/resources/publichealth/swine_flu_hha_5_moments_pdf.asp). But the rest of their menus are exquisite and I honestly can’t get enough!!

We were planning to travel by ourselves but now, because everything is fine again…guess who wants to join?  Yup…you guessed it…my sister wants to go.  I really just hope we don’t have to change dates and can just meet there. I’m going to need a bigger place for sure, but I have no doubt Royal Holiday will be able to help.

Anyway, I gotta run…have a meeting to get to…but….I’LL BE BACK!! 

I have been closely following the story of Natasha Richardson this week and was so sorry to hear about her death yesterday.  I think I share the public’s shock to learn that a seemingly minor fall on the bunny slope at a ski resort can result in severe brain trauma and death.  It just doesn’t add up.

This is true for me, although I’ve spent the past seven years working with a state agency in Georgia that assists people with brain and spinal injuries.  Over this time I’ve learned a lot about brain injury, although that by no means makes me an expert on the subject.  

What shocks me most is that traumatic brain injury – where you hit your head by falling or running into something or being in a car accident – is the LEADING cause of death and disability for anyone under age 45.  That includes our infants and young children.  But how many of you knew that?  I didn’t know that until I started this line of work. 

It is puzzling to me that our children and young people are most likely to die from a head injury or concussion but no one knows that.  Hence, our shock when someone like Ms. Richardson dies after hitting her head on the ski slope.

The best thing we can all do is get educated about brain injury and anything else that is a particular danger for our munchkins.  There are things we can do to help protect their little noggins so why not learn what they are?! 

If you’re interested, you can check out these websites to learn more about preventing head injuries: www.thinkfirst.org, www.usa.safekids.org, http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi/Prevention.htm.  But while prevention is key it’s also critical to know what to do if your child hits his or her head.  Take it seriously and don’t write it off as a “bump on the head” because, as we’ve learned from Natasha’s story, there often are no visible signs of serious injury.  The CDC website offers a good list of signs and symptoms and tips for how to handle this: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi/Signs_and_Symptoms.htm. 

Do this.  Then go hug your children and other loved ones.  Do it for Natasha.

This song is such a sweet experience. I first heard in when I was living in the middle of nowhere, Massuchessets. In order to get out of our middle of nowhere town to a slightly larger town (that had a bookstore, for instance) we took these long winding East Coast roads in the staff car. I had just discovered Peter and the Wolf through the wild and unweildy powers of the interweb, and was surprised to find I actually liked them. This song has stood the test of time, now that I’m back sfae in my home city, with no staff car but a rad scooter!) and many new albums churned through my ipod.
My music taste goes back and forth, and definitely has some consistency of sad, acoustic songs, but Safe Travels has this sort of child-like, joyful twist that always makes me smile. Nothing like breaking the mold to prove that you are, after all, the best song in the world.

As a new driver, lo so many years ago, I remember the sense of relief I felt as I topped the last hill on the narrow country road leading to my home and saw the yard light shining in the darkness. Even as a confident teenage driver, that road always seemed particularly desolate at night. The light gave me the assurance I had made it safely home and also that my parents were expecting me.

In recent years yellow ribbons have been used to symbolize the anticipation of the return of friends and family members. Soldiers, lost or abducted children, and countless others are welcomed home with bright and flowing ribbons tied to trees and mailboxes. Simple, yet meaningful, expressions of the anticipated homecoming celebration.

In 1716, George Worthylake manned the first known lighthouse on the North American continent at the mouth of the Boston Harbor. Although the first structure was destroyed by the British in 1776, the 1783 reconstruction continues to stand as a beacon guiding ships safely into the harbor – almost three hundred years of lighting the way.

Since my daughter left for college, I count the days until her next break and visit home. As her arrival draws nigh, I stock up on her favorite foods, I clear my calendar as much as possible, and I turn the front porch light on. When she rounds the last curve on our street, I want her to know she is safely home and we are anticipating her arrival.

Yard and porch lights, ribbons, and lighthouses – each a sign of expectation and hope for a joyous and long awaited homecoming.  As I wait for my husband and daughter to return from a long overseas adventure, you can bet I’m keeping the light on.

Now that I’m leaving, all my friends and acquaintances are getting even nicer. Hmmm…is that good or bad? They SAY they are going to miss me. Snicker…

I’ve only known Ellen since February and she’s bummed I’m going.  She says I’m the only real, down to earth person around.

Judy and Rhett have been attached to me for a while.

Zeke has been soaking up all the extra attention. He likes having people besides me to take him for walks and he never gets enough petting!

Aleka alternates between acting aloof and wanting her own attention.

I am just plain sick and tired.  I want to be healthy and to be on the road to new adventures. I love everybody!

// Σχεδόν μια δεκαπενταετία σχεδόν μετά το Kids και τα πάντα στη Νέα Υόρκη φαίνονται ακόμα να περιστρέφονται ακόμα γύρω από την Chloë Sevigny: το ημιεξκλούσιβ μπαρ του αδερφού της, η γραμμή ρούχων της για το Οpening Ceremony (σκέψου την πιο hyped μπουτίκ), τα τεράστια μπίλμπορντς της για τα φτηνά αλλά χιπ Uniqlo (σκέψου γιαπωνέζικα Η&M), η πλέον συζητημένη ταινία του Τribeca Film Festival που ήταν αυτή του παλιού αγαπητικού της/σεναριογράφου του Kids, Harmony Corine – αμφιβάλλω αν υπάρχει άλλο it girl που έχει παραμείνει ρέλεβαντ για τόσο μεγάλο διάστημα.

//Κι εκεί που περιμένεις να κεφάρεις στα διάφορα μέρη τουλάχιστον με Santogold και MGMT, το μεγαλύτερο χιτ σε αυτή τη φάση στη Νέα Υόρκη είναι…οι Smiths. Τα κυριακάτικα Morrissey πάρτι στο Sway με dj τον (τόσο ΝYC) σχεδιαστή Benjamin Cho μαζεύουν ένα σχεδόν posh κράουντ (υπάρχει λέξη γι αυτό: εκφυλισμός), τα vintage μπλουζάκια Μοz είναι τα πλέον χαρντ του γκετ και γενικά η Αμερική ανακαλύπτει για άλλη μια φορά την Αγγλία.

// Πάντα απορούσα πώς διάολο στις ταινίες και στις σειρές οι πρωταγωνιστές, σε όποιο κομμάτι του Μανχάτταν και να βρίσκονται, βρίσκουν πάντα και αμέσως ταξί, άπαξ και σηκώσουν το χέρι τους. Μάλλον επειδή αυτή είναι…η πραγματικότητα! Μόνη εξαίρεση, να είναι Σάββατο βράδυ και να βρέχει. Κατά τα άλλα, τα ταξί είναι σίγουρα μια εμπειρία: δεν θα καταλάβεις λέξη από τα λεγόμενα του οδηγού και αν δεν του αρέσει ο προορισμός σου (case in point: το Μπρούκλυν) απλά θα σου πει δεν ξέρω πού είναι αυτή η οδός και θα κατέβεις να πάρεις άλλο. Αν κάθεσαι πίσω μπορείς πάντως να χαζεύεις infomercials σε οθονίτσα μεταξύ των δύο μπροστινών καθισμάτων, τα οποία στο δεκαήμερο που εγώ βρισκόμουν εκεί δεν ανανεώθηκαν με συνέπεια να φτάσω συχνά κοντά στην παράνοια όταν πια είχα δει τα διάφορα σποτς διψήφιο αριθμό φορών.

// To φιλοδώρημα στην Αμερική είναι κάτι σαν μόνιμο buzz στο πίσω μέρος του κεφαλιού, τουλάχιστον για μένα ήταν, αφού συνηθίζεται να αμοίβεις έξτρα την όποια υπηρεσία που σου παρέχεται οπότε πασχίζεις συνέχεια για την χρυσή τομή στο επιπλέον 15-20% και ένα σχετικά στρογγυλοποιημένο τελικό ποσό (ναι, ακόμα και στα ταξί). Αξίζει να αναφερθεί ότι στα μπαρ είναι άγραφος νόμος να αφήνεις τουλάχιστον ένα έξτρα δολλάριο για κάθε ποτό στη μπάρα αφού στα σερβίρουν.  

// Kαι στα χειρότερα καταγώγια (εμ, ένα μέρος που έχει έναν κόκορα από νέον πάνω απ´την είσοδό του λόγου χάριν) ο έλεγχος ηλικίας είναι αναπόφευκτος, οπότε αν κάποιος επισκέπτεται και είναι κάτω των 21 (γιατί οι underage locals έχουν όλοι fake IDs) θα περάσει φαντάζομαι πολύ βαρετές διακοπές.

Sometimes, travel writers take press trips. Also called familiarity trips, these involve a few professional travel journalists being ushered around a particular vacation destination by PR folks in the local community’s travel and tourism business. I, MudslideMama, have been in the midst of a southern California beach town press trip, and just learned a valuable lesson regarding keeping one’s guard up. I carelessly left my PDA in a hotel lobby, and someone walked off with it. Travel tip: Don’t leave your personal digital assistant laying around in hotels. Yes, I know, this is a lesson that should have been learned many years ago, but hey – I’ve been burned, so lesson learned!

Top 10 Vacation Loss and Theft Prevention Tips

1. Keep an eye on your stuff. It sounds simple, but the sights and stresses of travel can distract even the most inveterate travelers. For example, I had taken some things out of my purse when I was looking for my sunblock, which it turns out I had left in my room. Apparently, I left my Blackberry on the table in the lobby. When I got back downstairs, it was gone. Someone STOLE my new Blackberry – and all my contact info, photos, and favorite ringtones that were on it.

2. If someone does steal your PDA, or if it’s just plain lost, cancel your service with your service provider. While you may be able to get the police to trace any outgoing calls on it, you’ll be held responsible for any charges anyway. Even if you have unlimited calls, the thief could be downloading songs and videos and whatnot, incurring huge fees.

3. Leave your most valuable jewelry and prized possessions at home. If you must take objects of considerable worth or sentimental value, pack them in your carry-on bag instead of the luggage to be stowed. Luggage gets lost or rifled through more often than you’d think.

4. Put a TSA-approved lock on your checked luggage. These ensure that the TSA won’t have to cut open your lock if someone decides your suitcase needs a closer look. In fact, carry-on is safest, and you don’t have to wait at the baggage carousel after arriving at your vacation destination. When feasible, try to stick with carry-on bags.

5. Prescription medications should be clearly labeled, and in their original containers. The security guy at the airport is still going to need to inspect it, of course, but this makes his or her job easier, which makes your time spent on the security line also easier.

6. Most hotels these days have a safe in the closet. This is where to store your passport, credit cards, cash, and any jewelry you decided to bring on your vacation. It’s the most secure place in the room.

7. Don’t travel to part of any country that is considered dangerous. While “considered dangerous” is open for interpretation, the US State Department issues travel alerts for particularly unsafe parts of the world. It’s a big world with plenty of terrific vacation spots; why ruin a romantic getaway or family vacation in a dangerous travel destination if you don’t have to?

8. Try to scatter your passport, credit cards, cash and I.D. throughout different pockets while out and about, rather than putting them all in your wallet or purse. Use inside pockets if you have them.

9. Be aware of who’s around you. Pickpockets and thieves often have plans, such as working in teams to nudge or distract you. Most people are essentially good, I think, but it only takes a couple of people – sometimes little kids – to lift your wallet, steal your purse, or otherwise ruin a vacation experience.

10. Your personal property or home insurance may cover theft or loss. Check your policy before you go, but it goes without saying that, even if your covered, still keep an eye on your stuff. And me? I wasn’t covered for the loss of my Blackberry. This was my stupid mistake – remember, don’t leave personal items unattended outside your room, even in 4- and 5-star hotels.

Vacations, be they family trips, weekend getaways, or that luxury UK experience you’ve been saving up for, are meant to be enjoyed. Don’t lose your stuff! Please, employ these Top 10 safe travel tips, but don’t get so tense about potential crime that you can’t a great time. You can be smart and still relax for a fun, safe vacation.

Høres det kjent ut?

Javisst høres det kjent ut! I alle fall om du har fulgt litt med i reklamepausene i det siste. Sangen, Peter & The Wolfs “Safe Travels”, er bare helt herlig og det er reklamen også:

Som sagt, helt herlig. Gir meg lyst å gå på ski. Og jeg som hater ski.

my brother dreaming of a new land
where the rivers wind through the villages
and the people breathe so easily
all the region trees go the same way
don’t have to go
i know you know you know
but if you gotta go
whoa-oh
safe travels

Το λάιβ στο Razz // Την περιοχή γύρω από το Razzmatazz την χαρακτήριζες και γκέτο, λίγο πριν τα μεσάνυχτα της Παρασκευής οι δρόμοι της είναι γεμάτοι από παρέες νεαρών Ισπανών που καταναλώνουν τις τελευταίες ποσότητες φτηνού αλκοόλ πριν συνεχίσουν στα τριγύρω club. Έξω απ’το Razz υπάρχει ήδη η σχετική ουρά, την χαζεύουμε μέχρι να μας οδηγήσει η υπεύθυνη στα καμαρίνια, στα οποία εγώ δεν έχω λόγο να βρίσκομαι αλλά είμαι φιλοξενούμενος του Ευριπίδη και που θα με παρατήσει, στους δρόμους? (η γκεστ λιστ είναι γεμάτη) Το υπόλοιπο γκρουπ είναι ήδη εκεί, τα κορίτσια φοράνε τέλεια ρούχα και ο σαξοφωνίστας είναι πολύ συμπαθής, χαζολογάω με όλους γιατί βασικά χρειάζομαι distractions από το κύριο γεγονός: το ότι βρίσκομαι στον ίδιο χώρο με τον τόσο ωραίο όσο ετεροφιλόφυλο 22χρονο μπασίστα. Κι έτσι ωραία τα περνάμε μέχρι την ώρα του λάιβ στο Pop bar, το οποίο πάει καλά: άνθρωποι πίσω μου τραγουδάνε το “Abroad”, κάποιος με ρωτάει πως ονομάζεται το γκρουπ, τα νέα τραγούδια ακούγονται αρκετά δουλεμένα, 2 κορίτσια ζητάνε αυτόγραφο για μια φίλη τους που έλειπε, ακολούθως ο Ευριπίδης βάζει μουσική στον ίδιο χώρο και εγώ καταστρέφομαι γλυκά από τα φρι ντρινκς.

Το σπιτικό – sic – πάρτυ // O Ι. και η C. εκτός από κολλητοί φίλοι έχουν την ίδια μέρα γενέθλια (αν εξαιρέσεις την διαφορά δεκαετίας στην ηλικία) και τα γιορτάζουνε μαζί ρίχνοντας (δεν ξεχνώ: Μαριλένα Παναγιωτοπούλου) ένα πάρτυ στο σπίτι του πρώτου. Όταν φτάνουμε οι μισοί καλεσμένοι έχουν ξεπεράσει το στάδιο της ευθυμίας, τα μισά ποτά καταλήγουν στο πάτωμα στα πλαίσια αφηνιασμένων χορευτικών, η μουσική είναι αυστηρά 60s (αμερικάνικη, γαλλική, ισπανική, αραβική), η C. φτιάχνει όντως τέλεια ντάκιρι, γιατί είμαι έτσι σε αυτήν ην φωτογραφία στον καναπέ και ποιος την έβγαλε?

Κυριακή στη Gracia // H Gracia φέρνει λίγο σε ελληνική επαρχία (ok, όχι αρχιτεκτονικά), οι δρόμοι μου θυμίζουν την Πάτρα και οι πλατείες την Σύρο αλλά κυρίως είναι αμόλυντη από τουρισμό, ευλογία για την Βαρκελώνη του σήμερα. Τρώμε τέλεια τάπας λιαζόμενοι κάτω από τον ήλιο σε πλατεία τύπου Μαβίλλη ενώ παραδίπλα ήσυχα πανκιά και χίπηδες με κιθάρες συνυπάρχουν ειρηνικά. Το βράδυ βλέπουμε το Juno, μας σφυροκοπά με indie αναφορές μα αξίζει μόνο για να δεις τον Michael Cera να ξεροκαταπίνει αμήχανα. Τρώγοντας ένα σάντουιτς με αυτό το φανταστικό ισπανικό προσούτο σε ένα καφέ κατόπιν σκέφτομαι πως είχα καιρό να χαλαρώσω τόσο σε Κυριακή.

Αdios //To brunch πριν την αναχώρησή μου δεν συμβαίνει ποτέ – φροντίζει για αυτό η ρετροσπεκτίβα Βανδή (highlighs: “Mη μου κλείνεις το φως”, “Oι χωρισμένοι”, “Πέεεεθανέεες”) με συμπληρώματα Μαριάντας Πιερίδη και Ελεάννας Παπαιωάννου και μάλλον ο Θεός του καλού γούστου με τιμωρεί και υπάρχει λίγος περισσότερος κόσμος να περιμένει το Aerobus στην Πλάθα Καταλούνια, λίγη περισσότερη κίνηση στους δρόμους και τελικά χάνω την πτήση μου για λίγα οδυνηρά λεπτά – πολλές πανικόβλητες κλήσεις προς Μόναχο, λίγη τύχη και 80 ευρώ αργότερα και κατευθύνομαι σπίτι σε νέα πτήση μόλις μιάμιση ώρα αργότερα και το βράδυ γιορτάζουμε τα γενέθλια του Δ. όπως είχε κανονιστεί, με φαγιά, catching up στα νέα του σ/κ και πλάνα ενός ταξιδιού στο Λονδίνο με ήδη διψήφιο αριθμό φίλων και γνωστών.