The Economist

My undergraduate degree is in Financial Economics.  That is not why I read The Economist.  In fact the economics in The Economist is relegated to a fairly short section near the back of US edition.  I read the magazine for context while travelling.

I've found it has the best scope and quality of international reporting among mainstream print media sources.  Day to day, I'm regularly bombarded with American media biases.  I find it enriching to digest some British media biases instead. 

On the whole, my guidance is simply provide yourself some context before you travel.  Understand what is happening in a place before you arrive.  Not to avoid riots or coups, though that can be a pleasant by product, but to better enjoy your destination.  I certainly enjoy my trips a lot more when I have some basis in local affairs and politics before arriving.  You should give it a try.

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

I don't watch that much television.  Brief aside, somehow when I'm overseas and packing my bag to return home, I will inevitably flip on the TV, find the National Geographic Channel, and there it is...Seconds From Disaster.  It is always a show about a commercial airplane disaster.  It's freakishly reliable.  I'm not superstitious; it's just tradition now.

Of course when I am home and turn on my TV, I'm naturally pulled toward shows about travel.  I must admit some jealously of Anthony Bourdain.  I'm sure the No Reservations show comes with its own drawbacks to produce, but travelling and eating...come on. 

I have to assume that restaurants featured on the show almost instantly becomes overrun with tourists.  But I'm not ashamed to say that I will likely join their ranks.  I do some restaurant scouting by watching the show and will definitely take in some of his places.  And he makes me laugh.  It worth a watch for any travel enthusiast, either for the ideas, the laughs or both.

Trying Some New Airport Shoes

Closing in on accruing 200,000 Delta Medallion Qualification Miles over the last 12 months, I've slowly been honing my travelling to a very specific science.  One of the all together necessary but challenging aspects of modern air travel is airport security: take off your shoes, take off your belt, take your laptop and liquids out of your bag.  However necessary, it isn't the smoothest process in the world.

One of the things I've been honing is my passage through security.  One of the elements of that passage is shoe choice.  Here I face a conundrum.  Almost all of my travel either originates or terminates at Hartsfield in Atlanta.  My preference is to walk to my gate rather than take the train (like to fit in the exercise whenever I can while travelling).  Depending on the concourse that could mean a hike of a mile or more, so I would like comfortable shoes, but I also need them to slide on and off easily at security. 

I'm giving SeaVees sneakers a try and so far I'm a very satisfied consumer.  I went with the 5/65's pictured above (also available in a few other colors).  With a bar lacing, they easily slip on and off but are comfortable enough to make the Hartsfield march.  My style coach also gave the stamp of approval.  Who am I kidding, she actually originated the idea.

Even if you aren't subject to Hartsfield's distances, most air travel results in some walking.  Give your feet a break.

The Wallet to Take With You

I've heard that the big wallet is back.  I'm superbly unqualified to speak to the stylistic aspects of it, but I can share what motivated me.  Travelling overseas, I carry my passport with me everywhere I go.  It less about safety and more about the ability to use my American Express card without a large debate.  My passport was taking a beating, so I wanted a wallet that would hold a passport plus all the usual wallet affairs.


I came down on the Tumi Delta Passport Case.  It's large, large enough to hold a passport obviously.  I don't often carry my wallet in my pocket anyway.  To that end, the size doesn't bother me at all.  If you're planning on carrying it in a pants pocket daily, you will need big pockets.  Otherwise, the leather is exceptionally supple without being easily scratched.  There are a menagerie of pockets and compartments.  Overall, I'm very happy with the purchase.  I'm using it day-to-day now and not just away from home.

The Right Travel Watch

In a world of infinite resources, I would probably equip myself with the Patek Philippe World Time watch, but even if I was able, I would be extremely reluctant to travel with it. 

In the world of the slightly more practical, the Tag Heuer Carrera Twin Time allows you the opportunity to keep track of local time and the time at home for less than $2,000. 

NOTE: This watch was brought to my attention by and colleague and friend.  I cannot claim credit, though I do think it is worthy to be a member of the discussion as are many others probably.  The Baume & Mercier Classima GMT, has the travel functionality of an additional hour hand, is a little larger than the Tag at a similar price point. 

In a similar vein, but at a little higher price point, the Omega Seamaster GMT also offers a second hour hand that allows you to easily keep track of two time in two locales. 

I don't own any of these timepieces, though I have been investigating.  My trusty Baume & Mercier Capeland, a high school graduation present has served me well thus far.  I would definitely be leery of wearing $30,000 on my wrist while travelling the world, but something stylish that afforded me avoidance of constant addition and subtraction to get to home time may well be worth consideration.  These are four examples specifically geared towards the traveller, though the world is full of great watches.

Hartmann Tweed Luggage Collection-Disappointed

For quite some time I've really appreciated the Hartmann Tweed Luggage Collection.  I think it has an exceptionally sharp and timeless look.  It's no revalation that it takes a leap of faith to check a really nice piece of luggage, and I would never check any of my three pieces from this collection.

I have, however, to confess a recent disappointment.  Though, I've never had any other problems, recently the wheels on my 22' wheeled piece have begun falling apart.  I've had it for years, but rarely used it until this year and then only as a carry-on.  It has gotten some miles put on it over the last year, but at around $600 I would expect it to take those miles in stride.

Hartmann does have a total warranty guarantee for products sold after February 1, 2010, but I had purchased mine long before then.  And even so, the owner is responsible for shipping both ways.  It's a great look and generally well put together.  Nonetheless, I have to offer up some caution on the wheeled suitcases.

6-Piece International Adapter Kit from Brookstone

Ever wonder which type of adapter you'll need for your upcoming trip?  I used to rack my brain attempting to remember what plugs would look like in any given desitination, which was rarely successful (don't dedicate a lot of memory space to plug shapes).  Inevitably I would buy an adapter at the airport and leave it behind in the hotel room.  Then a family member put me onto the 6-Piece International Adapter Kit from Brookstone.  It is a little pricey at around $30, but I've never been anywhere that it didn't work, and I never have to think about plugs (other than remembering to throw the kit in my bag).  I will probably pick up another one after this trip.

Essentially, there is a base and onto that base you can slide any number of international plug types.  From there you just plug it into the wall.  The base itself is also capable of accepting various different plug configurations (2-prong, 3-prong, etc.).  It all fits nicely into the case that it comes with, around 5-inches square and 3 inches deep.  Definitely worth the investment.

The American Express Platinum Card

If I'm being completely honest, I struggled with the decision to get an AMEX Platinum Card for quite a while.  The annual membership fee is $450, no small change.  Equally honestly, I wish I had done it sooner.  The travel benefits are a great value.  I will say what finally put me over the top, I saw a special offer for 50,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $1,000 on the card within three months, which I could convert into 75,000 Delta SkyMiles, 25,000 of which were MQMs, essentially paying the fee for almost the first 2 years of membership fees.  Special thanks to the Points Guy for bringing that one to my attention.

Some of the travel benefits that come with being an AMEX Platinum card holder:

• Free lounge access on the airline you are flying the day of your flight
• Free Priority Club Access (allows you into certain airport lounges around the world even if you aren't flying on that airline)
• Automatic Gold Preferred Status in Starwood Preferred Guest Membership (have to call AMEX after you have your card to enroll)
• Room upgrades, breakfast and resort credits at luxury hotels around the world when booked through AMEX travel (usually pretty competitive rates)
• Free companion business class travel on qualified airlines when booked through AMEX travel (often less competitive rates - even at a 2-for-1 deal)
• Fairmont President's Club Platinum Membership after 5 nights instead of 30
• Annual refund of up to $200 in ancillary airline fees (baggage, etc)
• Refund of Global Entry enrollment fee

These aren't all the benefits, and there are benefits beyond travel.  But I would say, even without the points offer that the AMEX Platinum Card ends up paying for itself if you familiarize yourself with all the benefits and take advantage, especially if you are a frequent traveller. 

Why Hasn't the Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag Caught on?

I've been through airport security at least twice every week, some weeks much more often, every week this year.  I can't remember one instance where the lady in front and the gentlemen behind me weren't both removing their laptops and throwing them into the ubiquitos plastic bins.  There is a better path to travel my friends.

The last time I dumped my trusty Dell into a TSA bin it came out with a mysterious and sticky red substance on the bottom.  That was the day I decided to opt for a Checkpoint Friendly Laptop case.  Since, it has only been in a select few international locations where I had to remove my laptop from my bag. 

I personally went  with the Tumi T-Pass™ Expandable Laptop Brief and don't have a single complaint.  It works at the checkpoints, has a multitude of pockets and sections to house my junk, the nylon appears indestructible to date, and is large enough for me to carry a week of work.  That being said a Google search of "Checkpoint Freindly Laptop Cases" will return a managerie of options to choose from.  It is worth the investment, and the more people going this route the faster those security lines will move.

To Guidebook or Not To Guidebook?

I was never much of a guidebook carrying traveller.  I'm not quite sure why but if I had to guess I would say it goes back to my learning best through experience.  On a trip earlier this year to Buenos Aires, a really good friend put me onto Lonely Planet Travel Guides.  Since then I haven't gone anywhere for longer than a weekend without ordering one from their website.  In fact, I've been perusing the Russia edition for my trip to St. Petersburg at the end of the week.  They usually run decent sales for picking up more than one at a time, so if you know your travel plans in advance, grab a few at once and save yourself a few dollars.

I'll share what sold me.  We wanted to go see the tango, possibly take lessons but definitely experience it.  Paging through the Lonely Planet Guide she had brought along I found this description:

If tango can be trendy and hip, this is where you’ll find it. The grungy warehouse space is very casual, with funky art on the walls and jeans on the dancers. A great place to come to learn tango, especially if you’re young.

The place is called is called La Catedral (add: Sarmiento 4006 ph: 011-15-5325-1630).  It was superlative.  The place is grungy and old.  We picked up a 40 oz local beer, sat down at table that looked as if it had been there for 100 years and enjoyed locals of all ages skillfully plying their trade on the dance floor.  Couldn't have been better.  Never would've found that place without the Lonely Planet guide.

I also have to give Buenos Aires the highest marks for their ice cream.  I've eaten dessert on most continents but never tasted a better ice cream than Caramel & Peanuts at Un Altra Volta.  If you go to Buenos Aires without sampling it, you are selling yourself short. 

I'm a new disciple of the guide book and Lonely Plant does a great job compiling them.

Travel Gear: The Pullover

Realizing with great sadness that I won't be testing the services of the world's great hotels daily, I need to find other things on which to pontificate.  Travel gear seems like a natural spur to follow.

I have an unnaturally strong appreciation for the pullover.  Long plane flights, layovers, uncertain weather at destination, need for a make shift pillow, the ease of adding or subtracting a pullover has fantastical utility.  I have amassed a respectable collection of these useful garments.  I have rapidly grown especially fond of a recent addition from Patagonia.  The Patagonia Men's Lightweight Sun Hoody is extremely comfortable, offers some UV protection, and isn't bulky.  Probably not appropriate if your travel plans include something in extreme latitudes or altitudes but for general travel use, excellent.  There are colors other than the gray below but I went the one pictured.

Careful with the hood, Ted Kaczynski references never get old.