The Travel Thief

In talking to a very smart and well traveled person about their trip to Namibia, they had the following advice besides "GO!": "Don't bring home a warthog skull. US customs stole mine that I bought" To which I said " P oor Pumbaa" 😁😂

Happy Friday...HAPPIER WEEKEND! Weekends for me mean I can sit down and research for upcoming trips, scheduled or not. I want to get the most out of every trip (even if it's just a trip to the next town over!) and I love to do the legwork researching all sorts of options. I know, I know, NERD ALERT :-) Remember, research also means looking up restaurants and drooling over the food you're going to eat wherever you are going. On the docket for this weekend is to start for my Bali and Hong Kong trip later this year. Both are first time visits for me so the world is my oyster. Mmmmm...oysters... After that, I'm trying to decide what next year's big trip is going to be. Africa is basically which leaves a lot of options! The Hubs already vetoed Sudan (but pyramids! C'mon...;-)) and I have some other thoughts. The challenge is trying to maximize time to the hour (I take my vacation days very seriously), money (who doesn't?) and freedom vs handholding (to tour or not...

I'll get back to some more travel experience content and less links this weekend. It 's been a helluva week. But I can't help sharing all these little things I keep finding. This for example is crazy. https://www.thelocal.it/20180904/ florence-snacking-ban-via-de-neri The Florence City officials have a trial ban on snacking outside of sitting in cafes during lunch and dinner hours with hefty fines of up to 500 euros. The article makes a good point that if this is to help control the actions of inconsiderate tourists, wouldn't benches and more trash cans benefit both residents and tourists alike? I can't imagine that the gelato or panini shops are happy about this. It is only four streets that are effected but it still seems kind of ridiculous. One of the things I always do in Italy is enjoy a gelato to go, no matter the weather . :-) Italy is getting wacky in trying to curb the crush of tourists and this seems to be another ill thought out plan.

GET OUT. Vanilla Ice was on the quarantined Emirates plane today that sat on the JFK tarmac? If you don't know the story, the plane was detained after landing in New York due to multiple people exhibiting symptoms of some illness. It seems it was only about 10 people and that it ended up probably being the flu, but it still seems fishy. One report said 100 people were ill...which to be fair, I've been on one of those jumbos from Dubai to New York and 100 people is like the equivalent of 10 on any other airline. Those airplanes are HUGE. It took 2 hours to get my baggage and there was still luggage coming out and sitting on the carousel. Also, can we address the quote from Mr. Vanilla Ice where he says it was only the passengers on the "lower section" of the plane? Ouch... I mean, I know that the business and first class seats are on the 2nd floor of this plane but ouch.. https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/05/health/new-york-plane-jfk-passengers-ill/index.html

Stay strong - and don't expect to luck out and have an empty seat next to you anytime soon Flights are super full https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielreed/2018/08/30/these-eye-popping-numbers-tell-us-how-shockingly-full-flights-really-are-these-days/#492480d868cd

Not exactly a travel article, but I'll share some non-travel content if it's unique and in a another part of the world. Crazy stuff between France and England over a bunch of scallops!  https ://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/08/29/scallop-wars-french-british-vessels-clash-english-channel/?utm_term=.77381c0d6fec

One of the first things I research for any trip is WHAT AM I GOING TO EAT?  I was slightly worried about Egypt since I try to eat healthy and planning to eat raw fruits/vegetables was not a solid option. Fear not!  Egypt has a Mediterranean cuisine with an African flair and you won't have to spend your entire vacation eating bread and chicken kebabs (though you should totally eat those too!) It's also worth mentioning that Egypt is a Muslim country and you are not going to find pork anywhere. The cured meats found on your breakfast buffet at the hotel or cruise ship are beef or turkey versions. Here are some of the things I've eaten in Egypt and you should try too! *Or not try. You do you. Tameya Tameya - I love this stuff.  Basically it's falafel, but using fava beans instead of chickpeas that are commonly used.  They are more often in the patty form that the ball form from what I've seen and they are greener in color than falafel for some reason.  ...