Archive for January, 2011

January31

The Airplane Therapist

By: JoAnna

The Airplane TherapistWhen the flight took off, he was just a well-built, graying man with a wrinkled button-up shirt and a day-old copy of USA Today. By the time we landed, I knew him as Will, the 36-year-old recent divorcee who had spent the weekend with his college buddies, commiserating in his recent woes. I knew he preferred red wine over white, used to work as an animator who now dabbled in agency graphic design and would do anything for tickets to see U2. And he was recently diagnosed as bi-polar by the same doctor who advised he have knee surgery a few years back.

When our plane landed, he said his farewells to the woman he was sitting next to (in the row behind me) and went on his merry way.

So is the nature of the standard airplane seatmate / therapist relationship.

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Posted in: Contemplation13 comments

January28

Here’s a Question for You: Week 4

By: JoAnna

One of the things I most enjoy about traveling is talking about it. In this new weekly series, I’d like to pose some of the questions I’ve discussed with friends, family and fellow travelers over the years. I invite you to pull up your backpack, grab a handful of the local snack food and chime in with your comments and thoughts. Feel free to respond to others, but remember to play nice!

Here’s a Question for You:

How and why did you end up living where you live?

I grew up in the Midwest, but I never managed to fall in love with winter. I moved across the country for college and jumped into the Peace Corps after graduating, so we ended up living in Kenya for awhile. When we returned home from our service, my husband and I relocated back in the Midwest and did some soul searching about where we wanted to live. Our criteria: Good weather, lots of outdoor activities and near a major airport. At the time, Clark County was in search of teachers, which worked out well for my husband’s job search. We packed our bags, loaded up our pets and headed across the country to Sin City. The rest is history.

Join the conversation!

Posted in: Here's a Question for You21 comments

January26

Local Traditions in Appenzell, Switzerland

By: JoAnna

Local Traditions in Appenzell, SwitzerlandBefore my trip to Switzerland, I really had no idea what I might encounter there. It had been so long since I’d been to Europe that I wasn’t really sure what to expect. My wild imagination stirred up images of farmers in lederhosen herding cows through rolling, verdant green valleys while cowbells provided a comforting, gentle background melody.

Our first stop in the country was picturesque and charming Appenzell, where I was surprised to find that stereotypical Switzerland is very much a part of the landscape. In this region of the country, farmers where traditional clothing at certain times of the year, the sound of yodeling can be heard across the hills during special occasions and many other local traditions make the destination unlike any other.

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Posted in: Do, Eat2 comments

January24

Why People Don’t Travel, Part 4: Time

By: JoAnna

Don’t let excuses hold back your travel dreams. Though many Kaleidoscopic Wandering readers are familiar with the travel industry, many others are not. As part of the Why People Don’t Travel series, I’m taking a hard look at five different things that keep people from traveling. In this series, I hope to provide solutions and additional resources for people who would like to travel more.

Today’s travel concern: “I don’t have time.”

Why People Dont Travel, Part 4: TimeTrust me, I hear you on this one. After several years in Corporate America, I know that the vacation days do not flow freely. Even if you are given time off of work, rarely does the work actually stop, so returning to the desk can be so stressful that you avoid leaving it at all. And, given the current economy, many people feel their careers are at risk if they decide to take time off from work.

Not taking or having the time to travel can have a detrimental domino effect on our health, relationships and even work. The longer we put off our vacation, the more stressed out, unfocused, unmotivated and inefficient we become. You think it’s stressful to return to work? Try not leaving the office at all!

Somewhere in the back of your mind you know you’ve got to find the time to hit the beach, take a hike, explore the sites, visit family or otherwise escape the routine of your day-to-day life. There are lots of reasons why you might not be able to find the time, namely:

  • You have a job.
  • You have responsibilities at home.
  • You have responsibilities to people who need you.

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Posted in: Reasons to Travel, Resources4 comments

January21

Here’s a Question for You: Week 3

By: JoAnna

One of the things I most enjoy about traveling is talking about it. In this new weekly series, I’d like to pose some of the questions I’ve discussed with friends, family and fellow travelers over the years. I invite you to pull up your backpack, grab a handful of the local snack food and chime in with your comments and thoughts. Feel free to respond to others, but remember to play nice!

Here’s a Question for You:

Where would you take a foreigner to show off where you live?

I love this question … especially because it falls on the heels of my recent post on how to travel in your own backyard. I think I may be cheating a bit here since I live in Las Vegas and there’s more than enough to keep anyone occupied for at least a few days in the city. Heck, I even write an online travel guide to Las Vegas, which details the city’s hotels, restaurants, shows and diversions. But if I had to choose the big highlights of Las Vegas for a foreigner — or anyone visiting for the first time — I would definitely recommend he or she does the following: Visit the Neon Boneyard during the day (where relics of Las Vegas’ older days have gone to die), see the Las Vegas Strip lit up at night and dine at one of the city’s massive buffets or truly spectacular restaurants with a view.

Join the conversation!

Posted in: Here's a Question for You21 comments

January19

Hiking Pinnacle Peak | Scottsdale, Arizona

By: JoAnna

Hiking Pinnacle Peak | Scottsdale, ArizonaMuch of the desert Southwest is fairly flat with large swaths of dry vegetation consisting of tumbleweeds and cacti. In Scottsdale, Arizona, these expanses of flat landscape give way to several small mountain ranges. Given that there is a highly active population living in Scottsdale, it’s no surprise that hiking is a popular pastime.

On the outskirts of Scottsdale is a well-trod trail that skirts Pinnacle Peak, an aptly named, steep mountain that serves as a destination for both rock climbers and hikers. From the trailhead, the path winds up the side of the mountain via switchbacks, crosses over a saddle, skirts along a second mountain and ends suddenly at the border of the park. Along the trail are expansive views  of the houses, golf courses and desert vegetation spread throughout the Scottsdale area.

Feeling a bit antsy about sitting around after a day of traveling to Scottsdale, we decided to hike Pinnacle Peak for the fresh air and ability to stretch our legs a bit. We weren’t the only ones. The park is very popular, and there were oodles of people who clearly had the same plan we did. Families with little kids, couples and trail runners shared the path with us (though the trail runners were a bit difficult to navigate around at times), and even though it was a bit steep or challenging in places, everyone was able to walk at their own speed. Pull-outs along the trail aided in passing other hikers as needed.

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Posted in: Do4 comments

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