Post-Labor Day Fun, Son!

Image Courtesy of CambridgeCarnival.org

I know it feels like Summer is over, but there are still great events in Boston this weekend.  Get out there before Winter sneaks up and smacks you in the face!  Here are 3 suggestions to keep that Summer vibe going strong:

Friday Sept. 7 - Before I Die...

Before I die, I want to check out the Before I die... project's latest installation on the Rose Kennedy Greenway (Along Atlantic Avenue, Boston).  Basically it's a chalkboard wall with the phrase "Before I die I want to" followed by a blank space and chalk.  Visitors are encouraged to fill in the blank.  Inspire and be inspired.  Learn more about it's origins here .  Ok, that's less of an event, than a thing to do, but go do it anyway.

Saturday Sept. 8 - MixFest

Every year, radio station Mix 104.1 flexes is Light Rock muscle and brings the best of the genre to Boston.  This year the open air extravaganza features Train, Gavin Degraw, and Andy Grammer.  I KNOW, RIGHT?  It's at the Hatch Shell and, oh yeah, it's free!  Ba-Zing!  At the very least, it'll be nice background music as you paddleboard along the Charles!  Click for more MixFest info.

Sunday Sept. 9 - Cambridge Carnival

After all that fun in Boston, come on back to Cambridge for a real par-tay!  It's the 20th anniversary of the Caribbean style Carnival and parade.  Come shake your bon-bon, and revel in the colors.  Take some benadryl if you're allergic to feathers.  I'm just sayin'...  The parade starts at 12:30p, which is perfect for sleeping off the your MixFest wine cooler hangover (public drinking is illegal...so don't do that!!!).  Expect lots of bright colors, Caribbean food, music, and lots of people!  This event is rain or shine.  Let's pray for shine!  Check it out!

None of these events float your boat?  Sheesh, tough crowd.  Well, there's always the Freedom trail.

2 Brewery Tours in 1 Day - Recipe for Boston Awesomeness

The coolest thing about living in a town like Boston is playing tour guide for all my out-of-town friends.  Two dear friends, the Multers, dropped in on me when their cruise ship docked in Boston Harbor.  Like most shore excursions, they only had from 8am - 3:30pm to explore the town.  On a previous trip, they went to Sam Adams Brewery, and wanted to go back.  Well, since I had never been, I was happy to tag along!

The tours are free and incredibly informative.  They teach you all about how they make beer and how many competitions they've won.  They're understandably proud, but the absolute best part of the tour is the chugfest tasting.  I must say I have NEVER tasted such fresh tasting beer!  It was like pure YUM.  You'll never tolerate skunky yuck beer again.  BONUS: you get to keep your tasting glass!  W00t!

After Sam Adams, we realized that we needed to keep the buzz going, so after lunch at Quincy Market, we mosey'd on over to Harpoon Brewery for their 2pm tasting.  Also free.  Again, YUM-TASTIC.  If you're not familiar, these guys make tons of different varieties, including IPA, UFO, and special "100 barrel" varieties: meaning small batch special beers.  My fave: Pumpkin UFO.  Again, super fresh (duh, they just made it...), and not crazy overwhelming with the pumpkin and spice.  Subtle.  Yeah.

So, if you like beer, and are in Boston for the first time, or the 100th time, and you're not feeling Paul Revere's house or Cheers (really, just skip Cheers, it never was a real place!), definitely check out these two breweries.  It's even ok if you don't do them on the same day, though I'm not sure why you wouldn't!  Both are accessible by public transit, and have fun gift shops to help you stock your home bar.  Just DON'T forget your ID, like I did.  Luckily, with a few batted eyelashes, and a quick computer search, I was allowed to get my drink on.  Having your ID is better.

EXTRA: Here is some awesome art I saw on my way to the Sam Adams tour, courtesy of the Stony Brook Fine Arts School

BLOG UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Travel season is in high gear, and for seasoned road-trippers, you know what that means: LOTS OF CONSTRUCTION!!!  You just know that no matter where you go, you'll be whizzing past orange cones, and inhaling fresh asphalt fumes until Labor Day!  The same is true for this Travel Blog!

Recently, I've been looking for a job in the Start-up world, which is ruled by tech and judgments are made based on your online presence.  In a nutshell, if you're blogging, you're blog better look good.  I looked at my blog and realized that I didn't think the look of the blog, and maybe the straight delivery of the content was an accurate reflection of the wild travel chick contained in this body!  Well, ok, wild may be a little strong...

Anywhoooo, I need YOUR help!  Do me a favor: take a look at the blog.  Look HARD.  Then, make suggestions!  I KNOW I KNOW, how awesome is it that you can make comments on...my...blog...oh wait, you can already do that!  Haha, but unlike others, I'll LISTEN!

So, PLEASE, take a look!  Let me know what you like and what you think I can do BETTER.  What would you like to see that would make this a go-to blog for your travel blog entertainment?  Lemme know!  I'd be wicked grateful! :-D

Hugs, Yvette

Water + Fire + Summer Solstice = AWESOMENESS

I think my favorite thing about living in New England is the unlimited opportunities for awesome day trips. Heck, if you're so inclined, you could hit all 6 states in a single day!  It also makes it easy to find fun things to do when my friends and family come to visit.

Recently, my brother dropped in for a weekend visit, and like me, he's always ready to hop in the car and check out the sights.  So, I suggested we hit up WaterFire.

According to their website, WaterFire is an "award-winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence".  However, what it really is is a friggin' awesome festival where they set a bunch of bonfires in the middle of the city.

Along the banks of the rivers, you'll find lots of street performers, including human "statues" that move when you drop a donation in their basket, musicians, break dancers, jewelry makers, food truck vendors, and LOTS OF PEOPLE!  Imaging the warm glow of a campfire, then magnify it by 100.  Part of the fun is watching the staff light the bonfires with torches, as they're rowed along in gondolas.  It's very theatric!  It started off as a short term installation, but the popularity of it grew, and now they light the fires several times from spring to fall.

This time, we went during the Summer Solstice.  Luckily, in addition to the usual WaterFire festivities, the city of Providence also had a Summer Solstice celebration in the area just adjacent to the river.  That featured several musical performances, and lots of dancing.  The energy was electric, and everyone was really having a great time.  Where the musical vibe at the river was a little "new age", a big band was rocking a block away.  A block away from there, in a city park, there was another smaller stage, where we were lucky to catch the last few songs by local band, Boo City, who had a cool funky, jazzy reggae thing goin' on!

It was pretty incredible, and I STRONGLY recommend checking out WaterFire if you ever find yourself in the area.  It's HOT in more ways than one!
Check out some pics of our trip here!

Where: Downtown Providence, RI
How: Take commuter rail from South Station - Boston or Drive I-95 South to Exit 22 Downtown Providence
Why: Um, it's awesome!

2010 Travel Memories - Germany

What better way to start 2011 than to reflect on the travel that occurred in 2010? The big trip was to Germany. Below are some of my favorite, previously unposted, pics from the trip. (check out links at end for previously posted pics)

Best of Munich 2010

Best of Berlin 2010

Best of Bamberg 2010

Bells of Salzburg 2010 (courtesy of http://nettiegoboom.blogspot.com )

Airplane ESSENTIALS

Top 10 things NOT to forget when you board that plane!

10. Gum - makes ear popping a little less painful

9. Vitamin C - Questionable germs in a sealed tin can. Better safe than sorry!

8. Water. I bring 2 empties through security and fill them before I board.

7. Snacks. $3.50 for a cookie? Puh-leez. I like nuts, dried cranberries, crackers, and chocolate.

6. Ear plugs and Eye mask. Crying babies? Roaring engines? Late readers? Bring it!

5. Travel pillow& blanket. It's mine, and it smells like Bounce. What does the free one smell like?

4. Hand lotion. Airplane soap makes my hands feel like sandpaper. Keep it soft, baby!

3. iPod Touch. Yeah, I bring it EVERYWHERE anyway. Will be testing SKYPE app for next trip.

2. Pen. You never need it until you DON'T have it!

1. PATIENCE. Nothing goes as smoothly as you'd like, esp. with all the cost cutting these days. Patience is your BEST FRIEND. Sit back and let the business men climb all over each other to get on and off the plane. Take a deep breath, and have another piece of chocolate!

Prost! Let the games begin!

I'm about to embark on my first trip to Germany. The occasion? My dear friend Dörte has invited me, and a bunch of other fun folk to celebrate her birthday in her hometown in Thielbeer. Although, that's reason enough to go, as luck would have it, her birthday just happens to coincide with the most famous (and longest running) wedding celebration on Earth: OKTOBERFEST!

Oh yeah...I'm so there.

Anyway, I thought I'd share some facts about this amazing event, just in case I'm in no condition to do so later! ;-)

In 1997, Oktoberfesters consumed more than 5 ½ million liters of beer, about 45,000 liters of wine, and almost 165,000 liters of nonalcoholic beer.

The local name for Oktoberfest, "Wies'n," is derived from Theresienwiese, the name of the field on which the festival is held.

The festival halls in Munich can seat 94,000 people.

The beers that the Munich breweries produce specially for Oktoberfest contain 4.5 percent alcohol.

Cincinnati, Ohio, which claims to hold the "largest authentic Oktoberfest" in the U.S., draws about 500,000 people to its celebration.

Thanks to http://www.everythingaboutgermany.com/Oktoberfest/OktoberfestHistory.htm for the info.

On the way to (and from) EarthFest 2010

Things I saw on this glorious day! Enjoy!

"Day"-Cation to Providence

I just flew in from Providence, and BOY are my arms tired! YUK YUK! Anywhoo, the weather was fantasmagorical. Enjoy the pics.

Weekend Road Trip #1 - Plymouth and Cape Cod Canal

Rockin' and a Rollin, Splishin' and a Splashin'!

This is the first of what I hope is a series of weekend road trips. Yeah, gas is pricey, again, but I can offset those carbons by riding my bike to work as often as possible!
Distance Cambridge to Plymouth 34 miles. A mini-road trip this time.

Plymouth Rock . Have you seen it? This is the place where the Pilgrims landed when they hopped off the Mayflower after that long cruise across the ocean blue (yeah, I know that was Columbus' line, but it's the SAME ocean! So pffffffft!!!). At most tourist sites, they take the "thing" they're famous for, and showcase it! But that is so not how they roll in New England!

Wanna see the Plymouth Rock??? Walk down to the small neo-classical stone temple down by the water and look...WAY DOWN! See that little rock down 10 feet down in the hole? HISTORY! :-D They did pull it out of the fire with the Mayflower II . Why, yes, it is a replica of the actual Mayflower. Y'all know that's cool; don't front!

Note: Take a moment to for the Native American perspective on the Pilgrim Landing at Plymouth.

Next stop, the Cape Cod Canal. Any old timer Cape Cod road tripper knows that you're NOT on the Cape until you cross the Sagamore Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal. It's the "Widest Sea Level Canal in the World"! Woo hoo. It is neat. You can sit on the banks and watch big barges and pleasure boats take the short cut across the cape, bypassing the dangerous shoals that kept the Pilgrims stuck in Massachusetts (they were trying for New York, true story!)

I think the thing that struck me the most was the realization that I would NEVER BE CAUGHT DEAD in either of these places after Memorial Day! There was just the right amount of folks milling about in Plymouth. No traffic jams, or long waits for the restaurants. Parking was abundant. In summer, it would be unbearable, and frankly, the sights (and sites) really aren't worth the traffic.

See pics from the road trip
Hmmm...where to go NEXT weekend?

Is it over? Is Winter finally over?

Is it finally over? Winter has lasted SOOOOOO LONG! Global Warming? Yeah, I believe. It's just taking it's dang time! (Sorry folks, who will end up under water!!!)

Travel plans are heating up. I'm in desperate need for a Va-Ca, but my only firm trip is Oktoberfest in Munich (oh the humanity). A dear friend has invited me to spend some times toolin' around Chicago, and my Austin peeps are beginning to forget how awesome I am (I'm coming!!!!)

Oh, let's not forget the Jersey Shore for the 4th. They still sell Aquanet, don't they??? So many ideas, so little time/money! But I'm going to make it happen. Don't you doubt that for a sec!!! ;-) Hopefully, you'll be up for a little tag-along? Holler at me, we'll make it happen!

Great Idea! Traveler's edition

I've heard of Footzyrolls before. The idea was to sell them in vending machines in NYC nightclubs, but when I saw them featured in a Facebook ad today, I though, those would be perfect for lady travelers, who want to feel comfortable eating in a nice restaurant after spending the day walking around a big city. I remember feeling awkard going into a nice restaurant in Paris after spending the day walking around town in my comfy walking shoes. Comfy, yes! Stlyish, HARDLY. It would have been cool to have these little roll up shoes in my bag. And they come in Sasquatch (they call it XL) for ladies with big feet, like me! YAY! I may need to get these. I'll let you know how they feel.

Where ya headin'?

I visited www.43things.com and saw that a lot of folks have resolved to do some traveling in 2010.

How about you? Where ya headin'? Anywhere fun? Somewhere new? Going back somewhere you love? Just visiting family? Let me know! I'd love to hear about it!

Did you get new luggage for Xmas? Yeah, me neither, but my birthay is at the end of March...hint...hint! :-D

Let it SNOW!!!

When it's cold out there...I imagine myself HERE!

3 Somewhat Random things I love about Troy, NY

In no particular order. Not even the things I love the MOST about Troy...
Mr. Snowman
Green Island Bridge
Concrete slabs that spell out Troy

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Michael Kappeler/AFP/Getty Images
Check out these great New Year Fireworks videos from around the world.

Sydney
Taipei
London
Moscow
Romania

I think my resolution is to spend New Year 2011 in Sydney. Fantastic weather and an unparalleled fireworks display. What's not to love???

It's not just me!

I'm not the only Fitch that loves travel! Here's Ms. NayNay at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

Street Art - Montréal

I am amazed at how many buildings were adorned by amazing steet art in Montréal! To use the word graffiti doesn't begin to do justice to the works executed on brick, wood, concrete and stucco facades in a nearly every neighborhood. I've learned since, that the city of Montréal actually pays former graffiti taggers to create these gems!

I'm sure I've only scratched the surface. I, whole-heartedly recommend that you go to Montréal to appreciate this novel approach to remove an urban blight.

Click here to view the Montréal Mini Album
Check out this news article about Street Art in Montréal

Top 5 "Facts" about Maui

#5. Use "Aloha" and "Mahalo" as much as possible! It's good manners! Aloha, you know is Hello and Goodbye. Mahalo means Thank You! Don't be discouraged by the waitresses and bartenders not reciprocating. They're all from the mainland too!

#4 Order a Mai Tai everywhere you go. Every place claims to make the BEST Mai Tai in Hawaii. Obviously, someone is lying. You won't know who, until you've tried them all!

#3 Snorkeling is way easier than it looks. You can rent the gear at any surf shop for a day or a week. You don't even need to take a boat ride! Many of the beaches are great snorkel spots. But if you can get out to Molokini Crater, it's worth it! Even if you don't snorkel, chances are the boat is manned by some hot bartenders. Hey, combine #4 and #3 to maximize your time on the island.

#2 Check out the Hula Show...at the Mall! Why spend $100 bucks to see a highly choreographed spectacle at one of the big Luau spots, when you can check out some fairly enthusiastic amateurs at the Cannery Mall in Lahaina??? It's really cool, and it's free. Um, what's not to like?

And the #1 Fact about Maui:
It's friggin' beautiful. Seriously, no joke. I never took so many pictures in my life, and looking at them now, they don't even BEGIN to do it all justice. From the beauty of Honoloa's hidden lagoon, to the shimmer of the setting sun off the turquoise ocean, from the volcano peaks shrouded by mist, to the many rows of palm trees swaying in the wind. It's amazing. You'll never feel so relaxed and alive at the same time.

Check out my Maui Mini-album here.

Back in Bowl!

Ok, it's been WAY too long since I've posted. It's not that I haven't been anywhere amazing. Oh you know I have! I've just lost perspective. It's really all about perspective isn't it? What's important? It's so easy to get blown off course, just trying to make it through. But you can not embrace your passion without focus, grit, and determination.

So, today, I vow to get back on track. To devote as much time to my passion as is humanly possible (without getting fired, and put out on the street!), is my early New Year's Resolution. No time like the present!!!