Just realized this is the only Olympic Games that will take place during my five year quest. I don't have much else to say except I thought it fitting to show my support for all the athletes in the Olympics, and especially cheer for my homeland, the United States!
This website I found gives information about our Olympic team, and what states they are from! Hope you enjoy!
Team USA
Monday, July 30, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Handling Airline Complaints
I had such a horrible experience with my last plane trip, I actually made a YouTube video about it. Rather than rehash all the irritating details of that experience, I decided to write a post about how to handle airline complaints if you ever need to make one. I found two articles online that dealt with this, but I've also summarized them below.
What Airlines Do When You Complain
How to Complain About Your Airline Service
1. When writing a complaint, try to keep your emotions out of the situation, and stick to the facts. You are more likely to be taken care of with respect when the person reading your complain does think you are a raving lunatic. (That actually applies to all areas of life...but I'm a travel blogger, not a life coach...moving on...)
2. Be specific...and realistic...about what you would like for compensation. Delays suck, but an hour delay (unless it completely ruins your connections/travel arrangements) aren't at the same level as lost luggage or a flight cancellation. Your request should be comparable to the annoyance you suffered.
3. Threatening the airline to never fly them again generally doesn't work. This isn't a bank or cable company- it sounds cold but losing one customer generally won't hurt their business the way you think it would. They have no incentive to spend money on righting a situation once you've sworn you will never step foot on their planes again.
4. Spamming the employees (especially CEOs) of an airline with your complaint letter will not get your problem solved faster. It will only get forwarded to the complaint department anyway. Let them decide if it must be escalated to a higher level staff member. If you aren't getting a response, keep track of how many times you've had to contact them, and let them know that you are requesting a response.
While I do not regret making my YouTube video, I now see the areas where I could haven handled the situation differently, as well as things I did that were ok. Hope this helps someone!
What Airlines Do When You Complain
How to Complain About Your Airline Service
1. When writing a complaint, try to keep your emotions out of the situation, and stick to the facts. You are more likely to be taken care of with respect when the person reading your complain does think you are a raving lunatic. (That actually applies to all areas of life...but I'm a travel blogger, not a life coach...moving on...)
2. Be specific...and realistic...about what you would like for compensation. Delays suck, but an hour delay (unless it completely ruins your connections/travel arrangements) aren't at the same level as lost luggage or a flight cancellation. Your request should be comparable to the annoyance you suffered.
3. Threatening the airline to never fly them again generally doesn't work. This isn't a bank or cable company- it sounds cold but losing one customer generally won't hurt their business the way you think it would. They have no incentive to spend money on righting a situation once you've sworn you will never step foot on their planes again.
4. Spamming the employees (especially CEOs) of an airline with your complaint letter will not get your problem solved faster. It will only get forwarded to the complaint department anyway. Let them decide if it must be escalated to a higher level staff member. If you aren't getting a response, keep track of how many times you've had to contact them, and let them know that you are requesting a response.
While I do not regret making my YouTube video, I now see the areas where I could haven handled the situation differently, as well as things I did that were ok. Hope this helps someone!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Tennessee - Part I (Memphis)
I'm back! I had an amazing time in Memphis. I was in town for an event filled weekend with friends, sorority sisters, and fraternity brothers, and managed to get my inner nerd fed in between outings at several museums and sites. In fact, I actually had to pare down my list of things to do because of social and financial reasons- but what I found I am more than excited to share with you!
Having never been to Memphis (well, I passed through the airport once on my way to Alabama several years ago...but that doesn't count), there were four things that I heard that defined the city: Great music- especially the blues, Beale Street, amazing barbecue, and Elvis/ Graceland (technically the fifth thing I always heard was an abnormally high crime rate-- but I'll keep the blog positive and not dwell on that). For a detailed history (which I found interesting!) of the largest city in Tennessee, you can click HERE, but for the fun touristy things I did in my three days there, read on!
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| The now-defunct Memphis Pyramid. Soon to be a Bass Pro Shop (lame!) it was the building I was pretty geeked to see. I mean seriously, how cool is it to have a PYRAMID in your city?! |
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| W.C. Handy Memphis Home and Museum |
Hidden at the end of the touristy end of Beale Street, the W.C. Handy Memphis Home and Museum, tells the story of W.C. Handy- the Father of the Blues. I was the first visitor of the day, getting there right as the lone attendant/ tour guide opened the door. He actually seemed a little surprised I was there, saying that other than tourists from Europe and Asia, and the occasional school group, few people (and especially not locals) came to visit. Quite sad because it sets a beautiful tone for enjoying and seeing everything else on Beale Street and the general music history of Memphis, and it only costs $4 to see. No pictures are allowed inside, but there isn't really much to take pictures of anyway it's only two rooms big. The first is set up with some period pieces and a few artifacts that actually belonged to him, and the second has pictures and sheet music covers framed in (cheap) frames, and a table with merchandise for sale. There's a bathroom and I'm assuming an office or closet that I was told was added on later. While not thoroughly impressed with the presentation (I understand that money is tight for places like this, but I think a fixtures upgrade and thorough dusting is very much so doable) I loved the story of this place and the important life and history it preserves.
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| Gibson Factory in Memphis |
Another no-photos-inside location, this isn't Gibson's headquarters, but actually their third (and newest) manufacturing plant. The lobby had a piano, a few juke boxes and guitars, and what looked like a rentable ballroom that was being aired out- but nothing super notable. Tours cost $10, sell out quickly, and last about 40 minutes give or take. If you're lucky (as I was on July 14th!) you'll get to see the actual employees working on making guitars- a much more labor intensive process than I originally thought! You walk into a large warehouse like facility stacked floor to ceiling with cases and a rainbow of various guitars. As you are guided through carefully marked off walkways that snake between different work stations, you learn about Gibson's special methods for preparing and cutting wood, assembling different guitar shapes, and getting them painted, polished, and ready for purchase. If you are there when the workers are using their tools and equipment, it gets pretty noisy, so it's best to stick as close to the tour guide as possible so you can actually hear what's going on.
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| Sun Studio |
You know how Graceland is supposed to be the Mecca of all things Elvis? Yeah, well, I refuse to pay $30+ to tour that place- even if I wasn't on a budget I just think that's a little astronomical. Luckily, there's another way to get your Elvis fix in the city that has such a deep connection to "The King"- Sun Studio, the place where Presley was discovered. But that's not all Sun was known for. In fact, one of the first artists to record there was B.B. King. Howlin' Wolf, The Prisonaires, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and more, all recorded in this building- and there are photos, records, documents, and other memorabilia all over the place, telling not only the history of the physical place, but the evolution of blues and rock by Sun Studios. This was another two room tour (and cost about $13 after taxes), but the second room is certainly the highlight: the actual studio where all that musical magic happened! According to my amazingly awesome tour guide, the floor, wall and ceiling tiles, and reception area are all original. People still record there today, and at the end of the tour you have the option to take a picture with the microphone that Elvis actually used to record with- in the same spot he stood in while recording. It should be noted that while I didn't utilize it, there is a free shuttle to and from Sun Studio that also goes to Graceland. Good option for those of you not afraid of that Graceland admission fee!
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| Stax Museum of American Soul Music |
This was actually the last place I went to before going home, and was the only place my friends decided to tag along to. I can honestly say this place was probably my favorite. With a student ID I got into Stax and the National Civil Rights Museum (more on that later) for $18. The tour starts with a 20 minute video of the history of the Stax label and soul music in general. While in the theater, you also learn about the charter school and other charitable work done through the Soulsville organization. Then you enter the galleries, which have an actual old Baptist church (to talk about the gospel music at the roots of soul music), and the history of the genre and label through instruments, costumes, awards, and even Isaac Hayes' blue and gold plated Cadillac that rotates so you can see the white fur interior. There was a section that had clips of Stax artists that appeared on Soul Train on a mega screen, complete with a dance floor so you could dance along.
Isaac Hayes' Cadillac
Towards the end of the tour there's a room with a huge green screen where visitors can play dress up with costume pieces from the 50s and 60s, and be superimposed onto different backgrounds- including a disco dance floor and the front of Stax with the blue Caddy parked in front (of course the option we chose!)
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| Entrance to the National Civil Rights Museum |
I'll be honest about this museum- it is EXCELLENTLY executed. It's immaculate, easy to navigate, informative about well known and lesser known issues in the struggle for African-American equality, and has probably THE friendliest staff of any place I went to the entire time in Memphis. However, if you've ever been to any other civil rights themed museum (as I have), the only selling point that makes this place a must-see is the fact that it is located at the hotel where MLK was assassinated. That sounds incredibly harsher than I mean it to be- but it's the truth. With that in mind, the highlights of this place for me where being able to look into the room King stayed in, and seeing the balcony where he lost his life. A newer expansion has also purchased the property across the street from the hotel, and allows you to see the gun that James Earl Ray used to snipe King, as well as look into the bathroom he stood in to complete this crime. Very surreal indeed standing in both places, seeing things from both the perspective of victim and murderer, and to be honest I didn't take a photo of either direct view because I just felt it would be a little disrespectful.
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| Outside view of the balcony where MLK was shot |
Another selling point for my fellow museum-hoppers is the fact that you can save a few bucks by purchasing tickets for both this place and Stax. But honestly, you can take a photo of the balcony outside without having to pay admission if you just want to see this historic spot but not pay to go inside.
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| Doormat to the hotel |
Apparently, in order to be a really cool old school hotel, you have to have an animal mascot and tradition that goes back in history a really long time. My first experience with this was The Jefferson in Richmond, Virginia who used to keep gators in their fountains ans still uses them as a logo to this day. In Memphis, this is accomplished by The Peabody Hotel and it's world famous duck march! Pretty much four ducks get treated like royalty for a few months, and twice a day (at 11 and 5) they "march" from their penthouse, to an elevator, down a red carpet, and into a lobby fountain where they play and pretty much ignore the hundreds of people that photograph and film them (like myself! I even got a picture with their Duckmaster!) The event is actually pretty quick, but upon the advice of a hotel employee, I watched the ducks from the upstairs balcony, and filmed this footage:
My footage of the Peabody Ducks
Mind you, I didn't actually STAY at The Peabody- it's a little pricey. I actually stayed at the Econolodge two blocks up the street, but perhaps next time!
EATING IN MEMPHIS
Okay, so I ate a LOT my two and a half days in Memphis. In an effort to wrap this up I decided to lump them all together. I had dry rub barbecue ribs at Rendezvous- and loved the flavor so much a brought a jar of the seasoning home with me. I ate chicken and waffles for breakfast at Miss Polly's Soul City Cafe on Beale Street before my Gibson tour. And for lunch one day, I had sauce-drenched take out ribs from A&R BBQ that was actually right next door to my hotel. A&R was the favorite (of the two rib places) of my friends actually from Memphis- who all especially demanded I avoid Corky's because of it's "touristy flavor".
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| Rendezvous dry rubbed ribs with slaw and beans |
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| Miss Polly's Chicken and Waffles |
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| A&R take out BBQ ribs with baked beans and green beans |
Well, that concludes my time in Memphis. I had an amazing weekend, even outside of the places you see here- I WAS in town to fellowship with my fraternity brothers and sorority sisters. That was fun too, but I'm glad I got to get blog things accomplished as well. As always, check out my Facebook page where you can look at all of my photos and "like" my page. Take a gander at my Pinterest page where you can see state themed pics I gather on the internet. Finally, see all my videos on my YouTube channel, and subscribe. Thanks for reading, and I'll see you next adventure!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
How to Pack a Suitcase for Airline Travel
I'm ten days away from my next adventure- Memphis, Tennessee! I have my sites-and-sights-to-see list written out, and friends that are from the city willing to take me to all the favorite food places of the locals- but I'm not ready yet. I still have to pack. Once I figure out which clothes are cute and yet functional for the heat and humidity that I'm sure to face (an important point- check the weather before you go anywhere folks!) I have to figure out how I'm going to get said clothing safely to Memphis and back.
In this age of pricey fees for checked bags, I make sure to only take a carry-on sized bag to keep more money in my pocket and off the balance sheet of some billion-dollar airline. Carry-on sizes vary for each airline, so don't rely on the labels on the suitcase to be enough. You can learn about your specific airline requirements HERE. Not only does this option save money, but it's simply easier to tote around as little luggage as possible than to have to lug around a coffin-sized box on wheels.
So what's the best way to pack? TSA has a few suggestions to help make your trip through the security lines as quickly as possible. You can read the article I found HERE, but I've paraphrased them below as well.
1. Roll your clothing instead of folding it, or worse, just throwing it in the suitcase haphazardly. Not only does this maximize the space you'll have to pack more items, it makes it easier for TSA agents screening your bag to quickly determine your bag is safe and cleared to go on the plane.
2. Because it's a carry on bag, all liquids/creams/gels you pack will have to be 3.4 ounces or less, and should ideally be packed in a clear plastic freezer bag for easy identification. Here's where you have to be discerning. Do you really need three and four different types of lotion for a trip? Will you really use multiple hair gels and sprays, or will you most likely style your hair as simply as possible to enjoy your destination as much as you can? I can hear all the girly girls of the world protesting that all of these things are absolutely essential, but trust me, they aren't.
Personally, I pack my deodorant, a small jar of Vaseline, a travel sized bottle of sun screen and bug repellent if I'm going into hot places or plan to be outside often, and a small makeup case with the lightest, least liquidy makeup options I have in case I need to get glamorous at the last minute. If I need more, I've never been anywhere where I didn't have a chance to get to a drugstore or Walmart on the other end to pick up a cheap bottle of something. Since I usually will be in a hotel (or cruise ship), I use the complimentary lotion and toothpaste there if need be. Are there times I wish I had a specific body splash or eye shadow or face cream that I can just SEE laying on my dresser while I'm away someplace? Sure! But you learn to make it work.
3. Pack shoes on top on your clothes. Sounds like asking to get your clothes dirty, I know. If the soles of your shoes are THAT dusty before you leave, take a moment wipe them off or put them in plastic bags before resting them on top. You can tuck odds and ends into the shoes to help save packing space, and if you use bags to wrap them in, they can serve as dirty laundry bags for your return trip. Also, arrange shoes as if you are playing a game to stiletto Tetris. Don't be married to the idea that the shoes HAVE to be next to each other if placing them in opposite corners makes better sense to pack. It's a small suitcase, I promise you'll easily find them once you reach your destination.
On that same note, pack shoes that "go" with a variety of outfits. The fewer shoes you need to take, the easier it will be to pack because you'll need fewer items. If it's practical, wear the largest/clunkiest pair to the airport to make more room in your suitcase (for example, wear your Nikes to travel in, but leave the flip flops in the bag since they take up less room).
4. If you are carrying heavy things like books (remember those you Nook-sters?) or a laptop, try to spread them out in the suitcase to help evenly distribute the weight and keep balance in your suitcase. It will also help prevent objects from getting crushed. Remember to keep them as close to the top as possible.
5. Don't pack prohibited items. It seems like this would be common sense, but I've seen first hand how surprised people are when they can't take scissors or metal nail files on their trips. If in some crazy universe someone could take whatever it is your debating about and use it as a weapon-- best to leave it at home.
I hope these tips have been helpful. I can't WAIT to see Memphis and report back to you what I see. Also, I didn't forget about my Miami transportation vlog...I recorded it with my webcam, but at some point the audio and video fall out of sync, and I've been having a heckuva time correcting it-- I may just have to rerecord it.
Happy (early) Independence Day! Safe travels, and you'll hear from me soon!
In this age of pricey fees for checked bags, I make sure to only take a carry-on sized bag to keep more money in my pocket and off the balance sheet of some billion-dollar airline. Carry-on sizes vary for each airline, so don't rely on the labels on the suitcase to be enough. You can learn about your specific airline requirements HERE. Not only does this option save money, but it's simply easier to tote around as little luggage as possible than to have to lug around a coffin-sized box on wheels.
So what's the best way to pack? TSA has a few suggestions to help make your trip through the security lines as quickly as possible. You can read the article I found HERE, but I've paraphrased them below as well.
1. Roll your clothing instead of folding it, or worse, just throwing it in the suitcase haphazardly. Not only does this maximize the space you'll have to pack more items, it makes it easier for TSA agents screening your bag to quickly determine your bag is safe and cleared to go on the plane.
2. Because it's a carry on bag, all liquids/creams/gels you pack will have to be 3.4 ounces or less, and should ideally be packed in a clear plastic freezer bag for easy identification. Here's where you have to be discerning. Do you really need three and four different types of lotion for a trip? Will you really use multiple hair gels and sprays, or will you most likely style your hair as simply as possible to enjoy your destination as much as you can? I can hear all the girly girls of the world protesting that all of these things are absolutely essential, but trust me, they aren't.
Personally, I pack my deodorant, a small jar of Vaseline, a travel sized bottle of sun screen and bug repellent if I'm going into hot places or plan to be outside often, and a small makeup case with the lightest, least liquidy makeup options I have in case I need to get glamorous at the last minute. If I need more, I've never been anywhere where I didn't have a chance to get to a drugstore or Walmart on the other end to pick up a cheap bottle of something. Since I usually will be in a hotel (or cruise ship), I use the complimentary lotion and toothpaste there if need be. Are there times I wish I had a specific body splash or eye shadow or face cream that I can just SEE laying on my dresser while I'm away someplace? Sure! But you learn to make it work.
3. Pack shoes on top on your clothes. Sounds like asking to get your clothes dirty, I know. If the soles of your shoes are THAT dusty before you leave, take a moment wipe them off or put them in plastic bags before resting them on top. You can tuck odds and ends into the shoes to help save packing space, and if you use bags to wrap them in, they can serve as dirty laundry bags for your return trip. Also, arrange shoes as if you are playing a game to stiletto Tetris. Don't be married to the idea that the shoes HAVE to be next to each other if placing them in opposite corners makes better sense to pack. It's a small suitcase, I promise you'll easily find them once you reach your destination.
On that same note, pack shoes that "go" with a variety of outfits. The fewer shoes you need to take, the easier it will be to pack because you'll need fewer items. If it's practical, wear the largest/clunkiest pair to the airport to make more room in your suitcase (for example, wear your Nikes to travel in, but leave the flip flops in the bag since they take up less room).
4. If you are carrying heavy things like books (remember those you Nook-sters?) or a laptop, try to spread them out in the suitcase to help evenly distribute the weight and keep balance in your suitcase. It will also help prevent objects from getting crushed. Remember to keep them as close to the top as possible.
5. Don't pack prohibited items. It seems like this would be common sense, but I've seen first hand how surprised people are when they can't take scissors or metal nail files on their trips. If in some crazy universe someone could take whatever it is your debating about and use it as a weapon-- best to leave it at home.
I hope these tips have been helpful. I can't WAIT to see Memphis and report back to you what I see. Also, I didn't forget about my Miami transportation vlog...I recorded it with my webcam, but at some point the audio and video fall out of sync, and I've been having a heckuva time correcting it-- I may just have to rerecord it.
Happy (early) Independence Day! Safe travels, and you'll hear from me soon!
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