The Yotel NYC Gives Me Just What I Need in a Hotel, and Nothing I Don’t
I’m happy to be settled into the Yotel on 10th Avenue in NYC. I have driven by the big purple sign for this place many times and I’m finally staying in my ‘queen cabin’ here in the 25th floor. This UK company has plans for many more hotels, and now […]
Aldi’s Is Beloved and Now Organic. Wow!
Meet the only store that Wal-Mart fears….Aldi. The German-owned chain of small grocery stores has a lot of reasons behind their spectacularly low prices, and a story today on a foodie blog called forthemammas.com explained some of them. It starts with the size of the stores…none of them giant […]
If You’re Moved to Help Typhoon Haiyan Victims, Here’s How…
In the wake of the recent Typhoon Haiyan disaster in the Philippines, Projects Abroad is calling for volunteers to help with valuable typhoon recovery work. To help in areas that have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan, Projects Abroad is directing resources and efforts in the Philippines toward providing volunteers to […]
Paul Burch and the WPA Ballclub Brings Us Back to 1936
On a trip a last week to Belize, we sat with a group of journalists from Mexico City. “You should come to our Valley,” said Paul Shoul, my photographer travel buddy. The sophisticated Chilangoes were interested…because Paul is right. For anyone who loves great music, great food, smart locals and […]
Threat to MBTA Might Make Commuter Rail Better in Boston
I read a small article that may have a big ramification in the Springfield Republican when I was having my car serviced. It said that in Boston, the MBTA, the people who run the T, are facing a challenge from another company that wants to bid on running the bus […]
All of a Sudden He’s Facing Federal Charges
After what happened at LAX last week, with the crazed gunman shooting a TSA officer, things must be tensing up at airport checkpoints around the world. My friend Reed found this out the hard way three days ago, and now his whole life has been turned upside down. It began […]
Belize’s Three Distinct Environments: Rainforest, Pine Forest, and Soft Sand Beach
I can’t think of another country where I could have had the range of experiences I’ve had in the past two days. We spent the first four days here in the western part of the country, in a state called Caya. Our first accommodations were at Chaa Creek Resort, in […]
Butterfly Falls at Hidden Valley Inn and Resort Is the Most Wonderful Swim I’ve Ever Had
I’ve swum in infinity pools, and in rivers and lakes around the world. I’ve been refreshed and I’ve gazed upon cascading waterfalls and clicked my camera like everyone else. But today in Northern Belize, I am confident that I’ve discovered the most wonderful swimming hole on God’s green Earth. It’s […]
A Car Massage en Route to the Hidden Valley Inn and Reserve in Northern Belize
We woke up this morning in the brilliant tropical sunshine, after a few very loud birds and some howler monkeys chimed in. A giant tree branch fell in the forest, waking up a few of my compatriots but I never heard a thing. We had breakfast at the Chaa Creek […]
Chaa Creek Resort in Belize is Proud of their Organic Gardens and Eco-Consciousness
A glorious cacophony awoke me around 6 am this morning at the Chaa Creek Resort in San Ignacio Belize. It was the sound of thousands of birds, each with their unique sound, telling me to wake up. There are so many birds here it’s hard to keep track, along with […]
Portland’s BBQ, Blues and Brews A Great First Night in the City
We arrived in Portland around 7:30 last night, and wasted no time–we wanted to get over to the BBQ and Blues tent on the harbor. There were 500 people and we were told that five of the restaurants expected to serve samples of their grilled meats were no shows. But […]