I insist this thread be linked to the Sanctum. Lord knows what kind of antics the young gent would undertake without my supervision.
2. Uzmakk - 9/21/1999 3:06:37 PM
I found him sneaking around on the Mote late one night when I couldn't sleep, and now I will make the first post on the thread that he said he doesn't want to host.
3. Uzmakk - 9/21/1999 3:07:28 PM
Damn it, Banks!!!Foiled again.
4. marjoribanks - 9/21/1999 3:16:33 PM
Sorry, Uz.
Now, where is Pseuder?
5. CalGal - 9/21/1999 3:16:44 PM
Well, Pseudo, if you are the host, you must be egalitarian and allow US travel stories.
Did I ever tell you of my scintillating trip to Cedar Rapids?
6. Raskolnikov - 9/21/1999 3:20:13 PM
I did have the surprisingly best time in Iowa City this summer.
Seriously.
7. CalGal - 9/21/1999 3:24:02 PM
I had to go to Atlanta four times before I found a decent meal--obviously, I had no choice as to my subsequent visits. People reassure me this is an anomaly, but I remain suspicious.
I remain amazed at how much I enjoy the Kansas City area, so I shan't make any sneering comments about Iowa City.
The only country I have ever actively disliked is Jamaica. Apologies if this offends any natives. The friendliness was so intrusive that I realized it was purposeful. I did like Duns River Falls, though.
8. Dantheman - 9/21/1999 4:04:28 PM
CalGal,
I also disliked Jamaica, but for an opposite reason. It was the only place in my travels where the poverty was shown to the tourists so openly. Most places, even if poor, have at least a veneer of respectable commercial areas for the tourists to see something comforting and to buy what looks to be reputable. Nothing of this sort was available in Ocho Rios. Even the sorts of shops which sold bottles of rum to the tourists were terrifying destitute.
9. CalGal - 9/21/1999 4:18:19 PM
Dan,
Oh, I never care about that sort of stuff. I can't swear I even remember what Jamaica was like in that regard.
I do know that it is the only time I have ever been actively rude to the people who approached me with their wares. I couldn't get away from them anywhere, and they never went away after I turned them down. In other countries, they ask, I say no, they go away. In Jamaica, it always seemed as if they teach special classes on how to be cheery and persistent--clearly, most people respond well to this approach, and buy up just to get that smiling presence out of their immediate space. (The other possibility, god forbid, is that they liked this technique. The mind boggles.)
I realized quickly that this approach was far worse than, say, Parisian rudeness and decided to give them some negative reinforcement. I would ensure that obnoxious street vendors saw me walk into a store and buy the same item they were hawking. Walk out looking at it ostentatiously--wear it, if I could. Anything to get the point across.
In the few cases where someone asked, I said no, they walked away, I'd call them back and buy something--anything--to reward them for their behavior.
I'm sure it didn't help, but it made me feel better.
10. Cellar Door - 9/21/1999 4:22:16 PM
Where's Pseudo? WE WANT PSEUDO!!!!!
11. Blaise - 9/21/1999 4:29:41 PM
It would be nice to read Psuedo's ramblings again.
And where is MsIvoryTower?
12. stostosto - 9/21/1999 4:38:11 PM
Yeah. What she said.
13. Uzmakk - 9/21/1999 4:46:38 PM
I have been wondering about the absence of Msit myself.
14. Angel-Five - 9/21/1999 4:49:07 PM
PE is busy on his travelogue, which has two working titles. The first is 'Fear and Loathing in Irin Jaya: A Journey into the Savage Underbelly of the Eurasian Dream' and the second is, simply, 'On The Road'. I understand Pseud is working on a manual typewriter with all the sheets taped end to end, under the influence of a great deal of speed and bourbon. At last count he was physically inseparable from the keys, his eyebrows had nearly fused to his hairline, and his only utterances were commands for food to be forked into his mouth. Veal, mostly, but occasionally mood cuisine.
15. Uzmakk - 9/21/1999 4:55:16 PM
chuckle, chuckle. what imagery.
16. stostosto - 9/21/1999 4:56:20 PM
Angel-Five
I have it on authority that the title of Pseuder's tale is going to be
'Where Alexander Humboldt didn't go. And how.'
17. glendajean - 9/21/1999 5:16:24 PM
Rask -- I lived in Iowa City for a couple of years back in the late 70s. Lovely rounded hills with maple trees that look like they're on fire in the fall. At that time, a decent book store called Prairie Lights. The downtown was basically 60 bars and 5 old movie theaters. They were building the ubiquitous mall as I was leaving.
Within 5 blocks of each other downtown were three large Catholic churches, St. Wenscelas (sp?) for the Czechs, St. Mary for the Germans and St. Patrick for the Irish. Across the river was St. Thomas More (for academics?).
18. ProfEmeritus - 9/21/1999 8:51:23 PM
I just finished a post and I got wiped out. Does this happen to anyone else on AOL? I had addressed the post to Rask, agreeing that Iowa City is a terrific place. My wife and I were on a biking trip in the area last year, and she had a medical emergency. I called the Uiversity Hospital and was referred to a very pleasant lady doctor. She made all the arrangements and told us where to report. The treatment we received and the doctors who treated my wife were delightful and let me follow the process from start to finish.
Incidentally, Iowa is a great biking state. Try the 30 plus mile trail west of Des Moines. It starts from a suburb named Clive.
20. alistairconnor - 9/21/1999 10:54:38 PM
um, YOU got wiped out, Prof? Is that a confession?
21. alistairconnor - 9/21/1999 10:55:50 PM
(Sorry, inside joke) But seriously, Prof, if you can describe your symptoms in the tech thread...
22. - 9/21/1999 11:52:56 PM
Before Iowa is off the current topic completely; my dad moved there over ten years ago. I agree with ProfE, the doctors are great. They have made dad's triple bypass a great success, almost two years ago. But our current kidney failure trouble for sis isn't better yet.
Iowa is a bit of a pain to drive, especially from the Minnesota border, south. It's flat and boring unless you like vast landscapes like I do. Otherwise, river crossings are the only scenic views. Southern Minnesota isn't much better. Well anyway, Cedar Rapids is all right. Iowa City must be a bit better, at least it wont have the smell of grain silos wafting in the air. If you've visited enough, the great Iowan get together in Cedar Rapids has the best sweet corn. It had better, eh?! Because the bingo is the only other excitement. (G)
Well dad likes NASCAR now that he doesn't fish or golf much any more. Iowan friends of his are really into it. He's almost par with them. I never thought I'd watch a race to the end until that last visit.
23. alistairconnor - 9/21/1999 11:53:47 PM
hell, what have I done?
24. RickNelson - 9/21/1999 11:55:18 PM
nothing alistair, I was disconnected and tried to post it after I got back on line. However, I didn't sign in first.
25. Macnas - 9/22/1999 3:46:17 AM
Was thinking of going to California next year, November 00 to be exact.
I have a brother there, in the Fresno area. Now, though he has lived there for many years, all he does is work and sleep, and when I ask him whats there to see and do, he mumbles things about mountains and work.
What is there to do in northern California?? is it worth visiting?
26. pellenilsson - 9/22/1999 3:49:10 AM
My God, Macnas, you'll get them started on California. That happened once before, long ago, in another thread, but the agony of it!
27. Angel-Five - 9/22/1999 3:55:29 AM
The thing about Northern California is that it isn't Southern California, though this is a difference that exists largely in the mind of Northern Californians. The only way I've found to tell the two of them apart is to tell the person in question that all Californians are the same. If you have a NoCalite, they'll howl. There's generally less smog and some more trees. But you're still speaking of an area where Ronald Reagan was elected governor and the people actually build their cities on fault-lines and alluvial fill, when they can't find a nice burn zone to call 'home'. It's best experienced through binoculars.
Besides, the Getty museum is in LA (SoCal) and it is the only reason I have found to travel to the state. Fresno, on the other hand, is reportedly escape-proof once you get there.
28. Macnas - 9/22/1999 4:02:15 AM
Yikes! I take it back! I just wanted some advise! Lord God in heaven what have I done???
29. SpenceMirrlees - 9/22/1999 4:06:17 AM
"is it worth visiting?"
Not Fresno, no.
God no.
30. Angel-Five - 9/22/1999 4:06:33 AM
You asked for advice. You got it. (grin)
No doubt you will shortly hear from some NoCal preacher, wearing their earnestness with the zeal of the newly converted, who will tell you that it is a must-see state. I'm sure you'll find them entertaining.
Remember, though. A good pair of binoculars are very handy and time-saving.
31. CalGal - 9/22/1999 4:08:51 AM
Any objective measure of NoCal gives it a high ranking in any assessment of gorgeous places in the US. There is plenty to see and do. A brief list, any one of which can provide you with a spectacular week:
32. CalGal - 9/22/1999 4:29:21 AM
I just read the discussion on Fresno. I didn't answer your question before because Fresno is not Northern California--it's Central Cal. But it occurs to me that I appropriated Yosemite, which is also technically Central California.
Fresno is a dull and dreary place, no matter who it belongs to. But a lot of Central Cal--Yosemite, the other side of Yosemite (Mono Lake, etc.) is spectacular.
33. Angel-Five - 9/22/1999 4:51:05 AM
Bring muzzles. You'll need all you have and want more. If you're not a confirmed pacifist, bring a big heavy stick (backups are always handy) or a hand canister of pepper-gas and plenty of refills for the locals. This may seem like recreation at first but will shortly become obvious for the moral imperative that it is.
What else will you need? A reliable map showing the way to the Getty (in SoCal) and the various highways which lead out of the substate, and some camouflage -- either hideously colored clothing with a peace symbol, or whatever Yuppie garb you might be able to find -- to get you there in one piece. Carry and drink bottled water (the regular water is just fine, but you will be viewed askance if you drink anything but bottled water). By the same token, order and eat any form of cuisine except American.
Bring a great deal of money.
Plan to come with a liberally applied but well-masked sense of accidental humor and the absurd. You will have plenty of chances to exercise and augment both, but will feel quite bewildered without them handy. While in NoCal, if anybody approaches you on a hostile basis and you have run out of pepper spray, ask them if you can help to plant a tree. This is generally a bonding ritual and once you participate in it the community is honor-bound to protect you from harm. If you are really going to Fresno, I would bring a yo-yo, a deck of cards, and several thick books.
Bring earplugs.
Really, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right!
34. Angel-Five - 9/22/1999 4:51:05 AM
Bring muzzles. You'll need all you have and want more. If you're not a confirmed pacifist, bring a big heavy stick (backups are always handy) or a hand canister of pepper-gas and plenty of refills for the locals. This may seem like recreation at first but will shortly become obvious for the moral imperative that it is.
What else will you need? A reliable map showing the way to the Getty (in SoCal) and the various highways which lead out of the substate, and some camouflage -- either hideously colored clothing with a peace symbol, or whatever Yuppie garb you might be able to find -- to get you there in one piece. Carry and drink bottled water (the regular water is just fine, but you will be viewed askance if you drink anything but bottled water). By the same token, order and eat any form of cuisine except American.
Bring a great deal of money.
Plan to come with a liberally applied but well-masked sense of accidental humor and the absurd. You will have plenty of chances to exercise and augment both, but will feel quite bewildered without them handy. While in NoCal, if anybody approaches you on a hostile basis and you have run out of pepper spray, ask them if you can help to plant a tree. This is generally a bonding ritual and once you participate in it the community is honor-bound to protect you from harm. If you are really going to Fresno, I would bring a yo-yo, a deck of cards, and several thick books.
Bring earplugs.
Really, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right!
35. Angel-Five - 9/22/1999 4:51:56 AM
Worth doing twice, too.
36. Macnas - 9/22/1999 8:40:54 AM
To be honest, Fresno would be a centre of operations, so to speak, as free room and board is preferable to hotels/motels/trailer parks/tent at the side of the road.
When I say free, I'm probably going to be very wrong, as my brother has a habit of pressganging anyone who stays with him into working for him.
Still, its such a huge fucking place! I think I'll limit myself to Yosemite and SanFrancisco.
37. ScottLoar - 9/22/1999 10:03:05 AM
Angel-Five, your every syllable on California rings true.
38. CalGal - 9/22/1999 12:25:34 PM
Macnas,
In that case, I would stick to the Yosemite area. It will be wintertime, obviously, but that's just another definition of "gorgeous" as far as the park is concerned. And, as I mentioned, the other side of Yosemite--the Mono Lake area, for example--is stunning. A lot of skiing in the area, too. Although I don't know the seasons and how November matches up.
39. Macnas - 9/22/1999 12:54:55 PM
Thanks very much for the link and the info CalGal. If anyone wants information on Ireland and whatnot, let me know.
40. ranheim - 9/22/1999 12:59:26 PM
My daughter began teaching at the "American School" in Monterrey about 2 weeks ago. Are any of you veteran travelers familar with that portion of Mexico?
41. Dusty - 9/22/1999 3:14:25 PM
Are we going for a record?
Most number of posts before the host shows up?
42. Dusty - 9/22/1999 3:15:11 PM
Oops, just realized the host has changed. But I think I'm still correct.
43. wabbit - 9/23/1999 11:45:32 AM
Ok, ok, just for Dusty...the Muir woods are lovely.
44. glendajean - 9/23/1999 12:04:23 PM
Cal -- I used to visit a friend who lived in Sonoma and thought it was paradise. Sort of midwestern picket fences and roses set in a temperate climate. He had plum trees and grapes in his back yard and breakfast was always fresh fruit.
Muir Woods is powerful if one can get there early in the morning before the trails fill up with loud-talking tourists.
Bodega Bay is ok (didn't they film the "Birds" there?).
45. pellenilsson - 9/23/1999 12:13:40 PM
macnas
What did I tell you? See what you have done to this thread. Now, think of some quaint place in Uzbekistan and ask about that.
46. janjon - 9/23/1999 12:47:16 PM
Speaking about California, anyone see pictures of that tire fire? Something like 7
There is a travel connection here, I just am too lazy to articulate it.
47. ProfEmeritus - 9/23/1999 11:21:14 PM
Here are some good round trip economy air fares on United and associated airlines advertised in today's Seattle newspapers (all originate in Seattle):
Hong Kong, $648; Singapore, $708; Taipei, $578; Beijing, $828.
London, $468; Frankfurt, $528; Munich, $528; Paris, $538.
I imagine similar deals are available from other originating cities, but I haven't checked.
48. ScottLoar - 9/24/1999 3:06:11 PM
Yes, airlines offer some amazingly cheap deals on their limited economy seating, just look into United Airlines' E-fares on the net. But business travellers go to multiple destinations like Chicago-Tokyo-Shanghai-Singapore-KL-Chicago on my last trip. No airline is offering me a seat in coach for US$650.00 to do that.
49. harper - 9/27/1999 6:32:01 PM
Macnas:
I just got back from Ireland. What should I know?
50. ScottLoar - 9/27/1999 6:39:11 PM
That poteen can be had at a shebeen.
51. Macnas - 9/28/1999 3:15:56 AM
Harper,
If you've been, then you should by now know the following:
Asking for directions in Ireland only gives us a chance to confuse you even more than you already are.
We use profanity as an intermediate language between english and irish.
Our unbridled enthusiasm for our native sports and our representative counties borders on outright tribalism.
Rural folk reckon the pace of modern life a really bad joke. Hence allow a full hour on either side of any given time promised to you for any given reason.
Hope you had a nice time here.
52. Macnas - 9/28/1999 3:37:10 AM
ScottLoar,
Have you ever tried poteen?? mad, bad, and dangerous to drink so it is.
A friend of mine once lost a whole day to the stuff. He was giving a mate a hand to move some furniture on a Friday evening, found some poteen in an old sideboard, drank too much of it, woke up in the morning, house was empty, rang his wife to apologise. Only then did he find out that it was Sunday morning.
53. Amaxen@work - 9/28/1999 5:30:45 AM
hi all,
I'm thinking of taking myself and lady amaxen up to ireland next year, renting a boat and floating up the canal. Terribly touristy, I know, but I figure that it takes care of housing and transportation in one go and frankly I can't bear the thought of driving after several contracts here in Seattle. Anyway, I was wondering if there are any recommendations of things to do while there?
54. ScottLoar - 9/28/1999 9:00:35 AM
Macnas, my delicate constitution will not allow hard drink or mannish waters.
55. Macnas - 9/28/1999 10:15:35 AM
Amaxen@work
If its tourist type things you want, then you cant do better than our own tourist boards kind of hokey but useful website, www.ireland.travel.ie
I'm passing the buck to Bord Failte on this one, as I know very little about canal touring. Theres only 2 in the whole country anyway!
The royal canal and the grand canal, the royal being mostly in Dublin, and the grand heading from Dublin across to the west of the country. Exactly how far it goes I cannot recall.
56. Amaxen - 9/28/1999 11:41:46 PM
It is not that I am a big fan of touristy things, but it seems that the canal thing would be very relaxing and possibly quite fun. The lady wishes to play the tourist in Dublin for at least a day, but I am envisioning a nice, relaxing trip, w/ a chance to tie up periodically & sample the local pubs as we please. Hopefully pubs that have at least a notion of what a local looks like. Can anyone out there tell me if there is something I should know about this plan?
57. Macnas - 9/29/1999 3:47:50 AM
Amaxen,
Sounds like a grand plan to me, as for the pubs, a good rule of thumb is to stay away if they are playing a tape or CD of irish folk music as you walk in the door. But for the most part, all pubs have locals in them, and you'll actually be better off going to a place thats used to a few tourists. There are pubs that non-locals/strangers/tourists will not feel welcome/comfortable in.
While in Dublin, go to Kilmainham prison, its where the leaders of the 1916 rising were executed,in the stonebreakers yard. The national gallery is also worth a visit.
58. cdm - 9/29/1999 5:33:20 AM
Macnas, Amaxen
When I used to live in Dublin, neither the Royal nor the Grand were navigable, as far as I remember. The main opportunity for boat touring is on the Shannon. I did a Shannon trip once, many many years ago, and it was a beautiful. Not sure what it's like now, though.
59. Macnas - 9/29/1999 5:41:40 AM
cdm,
I know that the royal canal is unnavigable, but I think the grand has had a lot of work done to it in recent years.
I do agree that the Shannon cruise would be a better option, its a long river, but quite placid.
60. webfeet - 9/29/1999 10:11:47 AM
Psych Prof,
Air France - Paris $338 round trip. I wish I could take advantage of it but maybe someone else can.
Does anyone know if Generator, that lucky creature, has left for Paris to work? If so, I am in a Salieri-like state of jealousy.
We will go back there to live, but not for antoher year or two. What a drag.
61. marshame - 9/30/1999 7:15:09 PM
Webbie
Are you inquiring about Jenerator? She left for England last week and starts classes at her university next Monday. See the Mote Cafe for snippets of her first week's adventure. I picked up a round trip ticket to visit her, for the total cost of (including $80 in taxes) $329 from Dallas!
62. DanDillon - 10/1/1999 9:01:39 AM
Quickly poking in to thank Macnas for the posts on Erie. I have such wonderful memories of the place. So wonderful, in fact, that to reveal them would be to spoil them.
63. webfeet - 10/1/1999 10:17:47 AM
Marshame
When you see Jenerator, give her my regards. I thought she was going to Paris. A few months ago, she asked me for some info on how to work there but I guess she changed her plans. Anyway, I'll have to read your travel log in the cafe.
I dont know where Jenerator is studying, but if you are in London, there is a restaurant called Rules (I think Im spelling it wrong) near Covent Garden that is worth visiting, if only for the ambiance. You can imagine Winston Churchill sipping an armagnac there after dinner, tucked into one of the booths in the back, smoking a cigar, while the Nazi planes fly overhead. I loved it. Im not sure if it's classified as touristy by Londoners, but it is elegant, low-key and le repas, for British food, is very good.
Btw, are you flying Virgin Atlantic? I flew them to London a few times, paying next to nothing. Of course, peak season is over so the fares have all come down, across the board. But I know of no other airline that gives you a night flight toothbrush. No scuzz. Have a fantastic time!
64. pseudoerasmus - 10/4/1999 5:14:32 AM
Dulcet Wabbit,
If you were to kindly set up the subthread for me Monday evening or Tuesday morning, that would be scrumptious of you.
65. marjoribanks - 10/4/1999 9:50:38 AM
I've already set up the sub-thread. It can be linked to from any thread, but I only know how to link it to the News column on the front page and the Sanctum. Would you like it operational now?
66. pseudoerasmus - 10/4/1999 2:41:06 PM
I don't understand. What is the subthread?
67. marjoribanks - 10/4/1999 2:45:01 PM
It's not displayed yet. It can be, in a matter of two minutes, perhaps first in the News headlines part of the Home Page. Ready?
68. pseudoerasmus - 10/4/1999 2:48:37 PM
Not really. I haven't written anything yet. I hope to have something by tonight or tomorrow morning.
But the question is, do I go in chronological order, or just do it willy nilly in any damned order?
69. marjoribanks - 10/4/1999 2:53:00 PM
I'd say you should start with that map you posted earlier in the International thread, perhaps the list of stories you've already compiled, and a kind of opening statement. Then just go at it as whim takes you. It may be more interesting for you to shadow discussion in the thread with your anecdotes rather than post them in a strictly chronological fashion.
Another option is to go region by region, country by country.
70. JayAckroyd - 10/4/1999 2:55:00 PM
Looking for advice....
We want to go to Cairo. We want to go from there to Luxor, maybe visit the Sinai Peninsula, take a boat trip on the Nile. We don't want to travel in 5 star luxury because we think it's too insulating. Egyptian business class, something like that. We also don't want to travel with a tour group. Their pace is always wrong--too much shopping, not enough poking around and no birding at all.
We're having a hell of a time either booking this ourselves or finding someone who seems competent to do this for us. Does anyone have any suggestions?
71. pseudoerasmus - 10/4/1999 2:57:16 PM
Don't book anything from home. Just get there and do everything yourself, independently. Tourist infrastructure is quite advanced in Egypt. Tour groups to Egypt are a scam.
72. pseudoerasmus - 10/4/1999 3:00:00 PM
The best way to see Sinai is to arrive from Israel (Eilat) and traverse the peninsula.
73. JayAckroyd - 10/4/1999 3:10:30 PM
71
We've done that in Peru. Scam is certainly part of the problem. Quotes here are all over the place for the same hotel, boat trip. Tourist agencies want money up front. Email addresses to hotels don't work. My arabic doesn't get much beyond greetings and counting, which will make calls dicey. Is telex still a more reliable medium there?
The trouble is that we (ahem , I) don't have the time to deal with a lot of details while there. Our trips tend to be tightly packed. While we aren't so stupid as to assume that there will be no problems when we are in the third world, we still do have certain places we want to get to.
74. marjoribanks - 10/4/1999 3:13:28 PM
Jay,
It might well be impossible to do the Nile Cruise without a tour group. And you should do it. While quite touristy, it's worth it. I tend to agree that you should make arrangements on the ground, but you will risk missing some things if they're fully booked or you go in a time of heavy demand. Otherwise, your hotel concierge should be able to set up whatever you need. However, this means that you should definitely stay in an upmarket hotel, at least for the first couple of nights. There are a couple on boats which are kind of fun.
Also, I highly recommend Sharm el Shaikh. It's an ugly and overbuilt town, but the underwater life is absolutely spectacular if you're into such things.
75. pseudoerasmus - 10/4/1999 3:13:30 PM
JayAckroyd
Luxor and Sinai are two of the most visited places in Egypt, and Cairo the staging place for both. Once you're there you will have no problem finding local operators helping you get to either place, and they will speak English.
I advise again, do nothing from home, except perhaps to get quotes. Everything will be several times more expensive doing it from home.
76. marshame - 10/4/1999 4:00:44 PM
Webfeet
Thanks for the tip on the London restaurant. I'm flying British Air, so I think we can assume that it goes without saying that no tooth brushes will be provided. I do have a mission of sorts: fabric and lace. Any suggestions on where I might shop for beautiful yard goods in England?
77. marjoribanks - 10/4/1999 4:14:01 PM
John Lewis and Selfridges, both on Oxford Street in London, are the most easily accessed places which will serve your needs, Marshame. BTW, I dislike Rules very much. I went there for the second time a few weeks ago and find the food and atmosphere quite obnoxious. Webbie must have caught it on a rare day. Actually, I find the whole Covent Garden/Leicester Square/Picadilly strip obnoxious, so perhaps I'm the wrong person to be passing judgement in this case.
78. marjoribanks - 10/4/1999 4:31:18 PM
My favorite restaurants in Central London, with no apologies for ignoring Brit food:
1) Salloos: Pakistani, in Knightsbridge
2) Bombay Brasserie: Indian, Gloucester Road
3) AlHambra: Lebanese, Knightsbridge
4) Mayflower: Chinese, Shaftesbury Avenue
5) Fakhreldine: Lebanese, Pall Mall
6) Blue Elephant: Thai, can't remember the street name, beyond Knightsbridge
All of the above are very suitable for a dress-up night out (well, not Mayflower), all are quite posh (well, not Mayflower) and all are tourist-friendly. I think Tea at the Ritz is something marshame might well like as well. Costs twelve quid, lots of fellow Americans around, quite civilized. Check out Fortnum and Mason while you're in the vicinity.
79. marshame - 10/4/1999 4:38:21 PM
Marj
Yes, those sound nice for a dress-up occasion, but where would I feel comfortable in my shorts, enormous white athletic shoes and neon fanny pack??
80. marjoribanks - 10/4/1999 4:43:42 PM
Oh, there are plenty of places along the delightful Piccadilly/Leicester Square/Covent Garden strip made for you Marshame.
By the way, one of the nicest things about wandering around London is the take-away sandwich shop chain Pret A Manger. Try them out.
81. marshame - 10/4/1999 4:45:57 PM
I probably should have said, in my enormous shorts...
But I was just kidding! My goal is to be a tourist in cognito. No tennies and no shorts. Of course, since I'm going in December, those choices were easy. But anyway, thanks for the suggestions.
82. JayAckroyd - 10/4/1999 5:05:23 PM
Thanks. PE, that sounds like good advice. I appreciate what you're saying as well Marj, but on this one I think PE has a good point. IAC, if we're stuck in Cairo for an extra day, there's plenty to do.
It may the only way I can get a new jelebia. (I have no idea how to anglicize that word.)
83. JayAckroyd - 10/8/1999 7:13:14 PM
LoA=Leave of Absence?
84. wabbit - 10/8/1999 7:43:34 PM
Yep. On Sunday I'll take this thread down for a while. LoA is nicer than RIP, yes?
85. phillipdavid - 10/8/1999 10:06:32 PM
I am in need of advice about where I can secure a cheap price online for a roundtrip ticket to New York (from Oregon).
The ticket is for my wife, who just discovered today that her liver ailment is back with a vengence, and is feeling a strong need to visit her family back east. Would like to travel in about two weeks.
The cheap price is for me, who is feeling threadbare in the pocketbook.
I did a quick online search, and the plethora of places left me feeling like I could use some advice from someone who has experience.
Any good advice about a site would be greatly appreciated by me.
86. wabbit - 10/8/1999 10:10:42 PM
PD,
I've used both Travelocity and Expedia and both were fine. If she isn't looking to fly into the immediate area of NYC, check out local airports. When I flew to Seattle two years ago, it was cheaper to fly from a small airport than it was to go out of one of the big city airports.
Also, the rates are usually cheaper with a minimum 14 day advance purchase.
87. wabbit - 10/15/1999 8:08:54 PM
309. Dantheman - 10/15/99 1:23:21 PM
pe,
There's an Iranian restaurant in Philly's suburbs, called The Persian Grille. It serves nearly all of the dishes you described, plus a few dishes which they describe as being "special occasion" dishes. These are typically roasted cornish game hens with sweet spices and fruit sauces (cherry, as well as local berry), with the basmati rice and yogurt as a side dish. How authentic is it?
Also, I once had there as a side dish a whole garlic clove marinated in vinegar. Authentic? I'm glad to see the nargesi is authentic, as it's my favorite side dish.
310. pseudoerasmus - 10/15/99 1:25:47 PM
Dantheman: Is that the diner in Chestnut Hill?
312. Dantheman - 10/15/99 1:27:56 PM
pe,
It's in on Germantown Pike in Lafayette Hill (just outside the city's limits from Chestnut Hill). It clearly looks like a converted diner. Probably the same one.
334. Seguine - 10/15/99 4:12:54 PM
Dantheman,
The Persian Grill used to be one of my favorite joints; it was located about 15-20 minutes from where we lived in Mt. Airy. The lamb kebabs were excellent, and they carried decent beer. I think it must at one point have been a MacDonalds or Arby's or something. But the fish pond and rampant garden they planted out front kind of made up for the dreary decor, don't you think?
I was always sort of curious about the large array of taped music available behind the front counter, but never got around to investigating.
BTW, have you ever eaten at that 300 year old cottage on Germantown at Gowen (across from the beer distributor) that was converted into a restaurant a few years ago?
88. wabbit - 10/15/1999 8:14:26 PM
335. Dantheman - 10/15/99 4:23:48 PM
Seguine,
The tapes and CD's are mostly Iranian (I think). Not many Americans in the bin. I think it was a diner, not a fast food joint. It's too big, the seats and tables are too large and the parking is meant for people to stay in, not come in and take out.
I am not sure which place you are thinking about at Germantown and Gowen, unless you're thinking of Flying Fish. That's a good place.
Any interest in other favorite Philly restaurants (or is that another thread)?
345. Seguine - 10/15/99 4:58:42 PM
Dan, the Flying Fish is in Chestnut Hill, the other cafe I mentioned is exactly at Gowen on Germantown, i.e., in Mt. Airy.
(And yes, I assumed the tapes at PG were not, primarily, of American music. Otherwise, they wouldn't have piqued my curiosity.)
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