Invasion Of Flavor: 5 Foods That Need to Find an American Home

Our palettes can tell us a lot about a country's culture.  For many around the world, food is what makes up most of their cultural face. When traveling to distant lands, one can experience the traditional values of the places they are in by exploring new culinary options and embracing their traditional qualities.

We learn a lot about a country's history through cuisine. For example, why does the American culture value lobster so much? It started off as something that the early settlers of the country were eating to save themselves from starving. Now it has evolved into a $20+ dollar feast. What was one country's trash food has become this generation's luxury.

One of the reasons why Americans love America is the diverse cuisine. The cultures and traditions of many people are reflected in the thousands of choices we have when it comes to our next meal. I love how so many delicious foods from different country's take root here and then, like a fine wine, age to perfection over time. 

I applaud the fact that some of my favorite foods are from other countries and that just over the last decade, these foods have become culinary main stays. I am glad to see things like authentic Mexican taco stands, Brazilian barbacoa, and jars of Nutella have spread themselves themselves across the American lifestyle and continue to gain in popularity.

Unfortunately, the world contains far too many sumptuous delicacies that have yet to make a scene in American culture. Though there are thousands of things that I wish I could go to the market and pick off the shelf, below is a handful of food items I hope and wish would make it to our shores.

1. The Döner Kebab

Perhaps one of my all time favorite street foods, the döner kebab is a Turkish delight. The kebab consists of two pieces of artisan bread or a giant fluffy flower tortilla. The bread is then packed with hot freshly sliced lamb or pork. It is then stuffed with lettuce, tomato, onions, yogurt (cream) and finishes it off with a bit of chili powder. Imagine a gyro on steroids. If you are longing for one while in Europe, just look for the rotating leg of lamb hanging on the rotisserie in a street side shop. I fell in love with these in Europe and wish they would make a strong showing in the U.S.

2. Queso Mennonita

Having consumed my fair share of cheese from around the globe, including Switzerland, Mennonite cheese is my favorite and I wish it would cross the boarder. An original creation from the Mennonite colonies of Chihuahua, Mexico, this cheese, like many of the goods that the Mennonite and Amish communities produce, is the perfect blend of sour and salty flavors. Perfect for a stack of nachos.

3. Orangina 

One of the best sodas in the world. A main stay beverage that has been around in Europe for over 5 decades, Orangina combines the taste of the perfect orange soda mixed with orange juice. Each bottle has small morsels of orange floating around in it to give it that extra boost. The bottle design resembles that of the fruit it contains. It also comes in grapefruit flavor. Both are delightfully refreshing and need to splash on the seen here in the U.S.

4. Pastel De Tres Leches

A cake baked from the ovens of heaven. This cake is a Mexican birthday tradition. The cake is a marriage between 3 different milks (condensed, half and half, evaporated) and the cake itself. By doing this, the cake becomes that much more moist and that much sweeter. Top it with a layer of frosting and you have a treat fit for un Rey. 

5. Brazilian Lemonade

One of the nectars from the gods, Brazilian lemonade is a generationally handed down recipe for families through the vast country. The drink combines water, sugar, sweet and condensed milk, and a bunch of limes. Toss the four ingredients into a blender and you have yourself one delicious summertime beverage. 

There you have it. Five foods that need to make a scene in 2014. Until then, continue to explore new foods that are out there. Don't forget to try everything at least once.

Cow Fights in the Alps? Discovering a Centuries Old Swiss Tradition **Video**

Tucked away in the heart of the Valaisian Alps, a lesser known Swiss tradition continues to ring the bells of the hearts of the village citizens of this pastoral side of the Switzerland.

Swiss Cow Fighting.

Throughout the world people hold events that to some of the world might be considered rather violent. Take for example, bull fighting in Spain. To Spaniards, the sport has been a centuries long tradition that showcases bravery and honor for both the bull and the fighter. To the rest of the world, this tradition can seem barbaric and cruel for the animals involved.

When one hears the phrase "Swiss Cow Fighting", images can be conjured of cows running around in a violent display of gore and stampede. At least that is what I thought when I first heard the term. But to my surprise, the tradition is safe and displays the heart of Swiss culture and tradition.

Once, sometimes twice a year, villagers from several different locations along the Valaisian Alps bring their cow herds down from the high lush green pastures into the lower farmland valleys of these Alps. From the heard, the villagers examine all of their pregnant cows to see which one is the strongest and most angry. The villagers use pregnant cows because they are very territorial and are protective of their unborn calfs. Then they take that cow to compete in the ring.

The villagers join together in a paradisiacal like valley surrounded by lush green alp mountainside and flowing clear waterfalls and streams. The head of the competition creates an arena which is mostly a circle made with some twine and sticks formed like a fence. Then the regalia starts. Amidst some pomp, the pregnant bow vines are proudly lead one by one towards the bout by their owners down towards the arena. Each cow is painted with a number so that people can begin to bet on which one will win the day.

The objective of the cow fight is no more than pride, and little money for the winner. The winning cow is the one that out lasts all other cows that challenge it. The villagers compete for bragging rights about who has the strongest cow that will be the most dominate that year. That cow and owner becomes the pride of their corresponding village.

As the cows spread across the pastoral circle, 5 or 6 different "referees" step into the arena carrying large willow sticks. As the the time draws near to the beginning of the fight, the cows are extremely restless and already growling and stomping up the turf. With a blow of a whistle the villagers leave the circle and with a thundering vibration, the cows charge. A ruckus of Swiss cow bells erupt as the alphas begin to mark their territory.

As the cows lock horns across the arena, the referees use their sticks to whack any cows that look like they are going to double team a cow while it is fighting another. This is one of the rules, it is strictly a one on one battle.

Tourists, city folk, and villagers alike line the roped circle cheering on their favorite steer. Cows lock horns and throw each other around sometimes outside of the arena. Observing from afar, I witnessed a pair of cows locked in a heated battle push themselves unexpectedly towards the crowd and straight towards an older Swiss woman. As the cows came dangerously close to her, she, obviously a veteran spectator, slapped the cow on the hind end and shook her find while saying "No". The cows must have heard her because they began to push the fight away from her.

One by one, each cow, after being tested, began to bow out of the competition relinquishing its ground to the more dominate of the beasts.

The finale of the fight saw two cows that had been locked in a gruesome battle for over 45 minutes and had pushed themselves up a hill well out of the arena boundaries. Each cow had been the winner of the fights the two past years and they were at it again. When one of the cows finally gave up and trotted down the hill, the crowd erupted in cheers adulation as villagers hugged, shook hands, gave each other the customary Swiss double kiss and poured each other a stein of stout. It was another glorious victory for the two year reigning champion in setting of one of the most picturesque valleys in Switzerland.

These cow fights are just another example of why I love to travel. Discovering different cultures and their traditions fascinates me to no end. These traditions motivate me to explore other lesser known traditions not only of Swiss culture but of cultures all across the globe. These traditions teach us not only to honor the traditions from our own country but to learn more about ourselves from the world around us.

In your travels, what are some of your favorite lesser known cultural traditions that you have discovered?

European Wish List: 6 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Trip

Travel is always an adventure. Experiencing places you've never been, living in a foreign culture, adjusting to a different way of living. These things can always cause a bit of stress.

The first time I traveled to Europe, i naively stamped my passport and got on the plane with not much of a care of what i was going to experience. Little did I know, Europe is not the United States.

Putting this first trip into perspective, I ask myself, what are some important things i would have liked to know on my first trip to Europe that would have saved me some sleepless nights and few finger nails. While there is a whole host of things one should know before traveling to a foreign country, especially Europe, I have decided on 6 things that I would have put on my first timers wish list.

1) Europe is Expensive

This is probably a no brainer but for me, i was too excited thinking about all we would see and not about how much it would cost to see those things. The U.S. dollar is very weak compared to the currencies found in Europe, specifically the Euro. The price of food alone can clean your wallet out in a hurry. For example, we walked into a McDonald's in Lucerne, Switzerland and saw that a Big Mac value meal cost almost $13 USD. Restaurants can be crazy expensive especially if you are sitting down in the restaurant. Dining in can cost in the range of $20-$50. To save money, head to the local market, convenience shop or grocery store where you can find cheaper prices.

2) Bathrooms Can Be An Adventure

Unlike the U.S., bathrooms can at times be hard to come by in Europe. Once you find one, a good portion of the time, you have to pay to use them. On several occasions, we would walk into a restaurant to use the bathroom, but to our dismay, they were only open to paying customers. One good side to paying for a bathroom is that they are usually well kept and clean, I guess that is what the $3 is for. At times you can find free bathrooms but use them at your own risk. In several countries we found free bathrooms filled with traditional Turkish stalls (squatters), which you never see in America, so it can be a shock. Trains have free bathrooms but they can be shady at times. Try and plan well and don't over do it on the fluids.

3) Hotels Are Bare Bones

In the U.S. we are used to having plush hotels equipped with our own private bathroom and queen size beds. Europeans take the minimalist approach when designing their hotels. Now I'm talking about the medium priced hotels not luxury hotels. A typical 3 star European hotel will give you a pretty tightly spaced room, two separate double sized beds with comfortable but thin mattresses, a small window with a view, and a community bathroom somewhere on your floor that is shared by every room on that floor. Don't get me wrong, most of these hotels are clean and are perfect for getting a decent nights rest. Keep in mind that European countries have different cultures and different hotel styles. Expect a clean, comfortable, tight room.

4) Use the Trains

The trains in Europe can be a god send. Trains are a fast and efficient way of getting to the places that you want without the hassle of getting lost in a maze of European roadways. Most trains arrive on time and take you straight to the heart of most of the must see attractions and destinations within each country. Buying a Eurorail pass is the way to go if you are going to be spending time in several different countries as well as save you from the hassle of buying tickets for every destination. Switzerland had the best train system. The trains are relatively clean, safe and arrive precisely on time. The Italian train system was the worst. Many of the trains were old and dirty, smelling terribly and were hardly ever on time. I once had to wait 1 1/2 hours for my train to arrive. Beware.

5) Paying For Drinking Water

Americans are used to being able to find free drinking fountains everywhere. If you are in a restaurant, you can usually get a free water or pay a few cents for one. In Europe, water comes at a premium. Several stands and markets sell bottled water for around $3 USD. That can add up after a few days or weeks in Europe. But there are a few ways around this. The obvious one, if you can, is to buy a bottled water, keep the bottle and fill it up in your hotel each day. My favorite solution is to fill up at a local fountain. This can be shady at times because you usually don't know where the water is coming from. Search around any fountain for a sign that declares that the water is "No Potable", Not Potable. If you see the sign, stay away from it. I found this trick especially useful in Switzerland. All the water pouring out of the fountains is drinkable. Most of the water runs straight from the alps and is treated. I've lived on the water from those fountains for months and am still alive. Nothing like fresh spring water from the alps to quench your thirst. This is one of the rare free things I've found in Europe

6) Using Cash vs. Cards

This tip is useful for traveling to any country. When you arrive at your destination, find an ATM and pull out a good chunk of cash. Try not to use cards for every transaction. This is wise because whenever you are using you debit/credit cards in a foreign country, you will get slapped with an exchange fee and monster transaction fees every time you use your cards. Using cash can also get you out of a bind quicker if you need to pay for food or have some sort of emergency that requires immediate payment. Make sure to tell your bank before you leave, which countries you will be in and the dates you will be there so that they don't lock your account as a fraud protection when using your card outside the U.S.

These are just six things I wish somebody would have let me know before my first trip to Europe. I believe these tips are useful not just for Europe but for travel in general. Every time I travel, especially to Europe, I pick up lots of things that I wish I would have done or known about before I left. Please feel free to leave any tips you would have liked to have known before your first trip to a foreign country. Its always good to be prepared.

Old Town San Diego: Preserving the Past

San Diego. Best known for its ideal warm climate, massive zoo, and yes of course, Sea World. Little do most people know that there are several other sparkling gems that lie in this southern California oasis. One of my favorites is the Old Town District of San Diego.

When most use San Diego for no more than a spring board to Sea World, Disneyland and a plethora of amusement parks that surround the area, many don't know that there exists Old Town San Diego.



The city has outdone itself to preserve the area where the first foundations of the city were laid. Upon visiting this area, one comes upon a down filled with history. Several pioneer replica buildings surround the half mile block. These buildings are meant to look the way they did back when the city was first founded. One can find various museums housing antique furniture, aged Wells Fargo wagons, and photographs of the early inhabitants and settlers of San Diego. Accompanying the museums are various tourist shops and markets as well as a general store and an old fashion candy shop where they arduously pull taffy in the window for onlookers to experience.

The city also is home to some of the best authentic Mexican food in the city. Situated a short distance from the Mexican boarder, San Diego is filled with the influential food and culture that the Mexican people have brought with them. We had the fortune of eating at one of these restaurants close to old town called Old Town Mexican Cafe. The restaurant, like many within walking distance, serves a huge variety of delicious authentic Mexican. I highly recommend the Molcajete, a cornucopia of marinated chicken, carne asada, and jumbo shrimp. If you are lucky you will be there when the mariachi bands are serenading patrons.

One of the most interesting places in Old Town San Diego was the Mormon Batallion Museum. Located a block just outside of old down, this museum was amazing. Owned and operated by the LDS church, missionaries and attendants take you back in time as you experience the journey of the Mormon battalion. Just as a little background, when the Mormon pioneers were making their way out to Utah in the 1840's, the United States Government ordered the formation of a battalion of 500 men to go combat the Spanish in the southern territories several decades before the actual Spanish American war. While en route to Utah, the U.S. army, with help of the church's leader Brigham Young, recruited nearly 500 men and there families for the battalion. Long story short, the battalion weathered several months of marching through the desert, starvation, and disease before arriving in San Diego. In the end the battalion did not firing a shot against anyone. The battalion helped the locals develop the city creating waterways and irrigation canals for farming and helping to build buildings and homes thus helping the city to become what it is today.

While walking through the interactive guided tour of the museum, you will move from room to room, all designed to look just like the locations that the battalion marched through. Some of the places include the prairie of Iowa, a general store, and the desert to name a few, all while videos of actors tell the story of the battalion and the founding of San Diego. It is interesting and fun for the family. At the end of the tour you can get your old fashion sepia tone picture taken as well as mine for gold (fools gold)  in their custom build creek bed. It is an good place to immerse yourself in the culture of the city.

Whether its strolling down the dirt paths alongside 1800 style buildings, chowing down on authentic spicy Mexican food, or learning about the town's past, Old Town San Diego is a great place for getting away from the crowds and experiencing history. San Diego is truly preserving its past and providing its visitors with a sense of culture and adventure.

"Pay As You See Fit": Gimmelwald’s Honesty Shop, a Store Without Prices

Nestled in the the heart of the lush Lauterbrunnen Valley in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland, lies Gimmelwald. A typical Swiss mountain village anchored on the slopes of the alps. The village is surrounded by fertile wheat fields, hungry Swiss cow herds, steep mountain biking trails and and forest clad hiking paths connecting neighboring villages.

Gimmelwald is also home base for many adventure seekers. Centuries old chalets, conventional hotels, and quaint adventure youth hostels line the switchback cobblestone streets. Walking through the town, one can venture into one of a handful of tourist shops, artisan bakeries and made by hand woodcraft shops.

Amidst the many shops selling high priced goods and quality souvenirs lies a small shop that has no attendant or prices. The vacant shop is lined with no more than a few shelves and a small refrigerating unit. The shelves are full of a variety of unique goods, some of which look very expensive. From hand carved and crafted cookoo clocks (a Swiss trademark) to intricately laced macramé to general food items such as cookies and soda, the shop is like no other in the country, if not the world.

Looking past the shelves of goods, one can find a small antique oak box with an envelope sized slit sitting atop a wooden stand. Above the slot in German, French, and English, a small carved sign reads “Please Pay As You See Fit”.

This shop relied upon the honesty and trustworthiness of its customers. Truly a pure case of business ethics. Pay as you see fit. Now I am sure that there have been a few people that have come across this store and took what they say they needed for free, but for the most part the honor system had worked.

Talking with a couple of locals that owned a one of the hostels in Gimmelwald, I came to find out that the shop had been their for over 15 years and that every week villagers, not just from Gimmelwald, but from all over the Jungfrau region would come to the shop to sell items. The village designates a local to be no more than a care taker to make sure the shelves are filled as well as collect the money which is then split among Gimmelwald and the neighboring villages.

Two things stand out to me about this concept and the shop itself that I find most fascinated. 1) the shop had been open for 15 years meaning that it has been a viable source of income for the village and 2) The types of items in the store.

When visiting the store I was accompanied by a few friends. One of them found a hand carved smoking pipe that looked to be over one hundred years old. Surrounding the pipe we found intricate hand painted figures and decorations highlighting Swiss culture. In any of the big cities in Europe, this item was worth more than $200 but there it was sitting in a “Pay as you see fit store”. My friend bought the pipe for around $150. Items like these were found on the shelves amongst candy bars, chocolate and postcards. This shop was a treasure in and of itself. 


People are generally good hearted, honest, charitable individuals. I believe that if more of these stores existed throughout the world, business owners would still make plenty of money while at the same time creating a customer loyalty which will keep them coming back. I guess you could say it would be the first stepping stone to building a Utopian world society. The shop was just another example to me of one of a plethora of things that Switzerland is doing right. 

Leysin: The Ideal Swiss Village for a Vacationer's Stay

Nestled in the top of the Swiss alps, Leysin sits as a romantic sleepy village perfect for experiencing
true Swiss culture and picturesque views.

Originally created as a sanatorium for those suffering from tuberculosis around the turn of the 20th century, Leysin has transformed into a charming symbol of Swiss hospitality.

During its sanatorium days, several medical companies and investors built large and spacious chalet style hotels that would house the sick patients. They decided to transform Leysin into a sanatorium because they found that fresh air and sunlight had healing effects for those suffering from this disease. These giant chalets came equipped with several balconies where the patients could lye about in the sunlight for hours to get their recommended vitamin D. Leysin became such a famous place for those suffering with this disease that people from all over the world would come in hopes of being healed while relaxing in such a beautiful spot of the world. It was so famous that the Swiss endedLeysin's glory days and give a sense of identity to the village itself.
up building a cogwheel train that took patrons straight up the mountain instead of a winding dirt road of switchbacks through the alps. Knowing that they would have celebrities coming to this town, the Swiss also built a more secluded set of tracks that could take celebrities to the chalets without making their identity known. Today these architectural marvels stand as a reminder of

After the days of the sanatorium had past, what was this village going to do to stay afloat? Why not Leysin is known by it citizens as a beautiful place to ski in the winter and mountain bike in the summer. The local ski resort is open year round and caters to skiers looking for a thrill in the alpine scenery as well as provides steep dirt biking trails for those who want to explore more off the beaten path. The town also rents motorbikes and scooters for getting around the narrow cobble streets.
become a ski resort and adventure sport town. Today

The town itself is characterized by cobblestone switchback streets, trickling springs, green pastures filled with herds of iconic Swiss cows and several small hotels and mountain inns, most of which were built around the turn of the century. We stayed at a hotel called Au Bel Air which was located right next to the ski lift in the upper part of town. The hotel was simple, cozy and offered everything we needed at an affordable price. The proprietor is very amiable and prides himself on knowing that your needs are met. This hotel was perfect. It was nestled in middle of the alps with the typical Swiss chalet design. In the morning you could wake up to amazing views of the alps and the clinging sound Swiss cow bells as the beasts munched on the dew laden grass.

If mountain skiing or mountain biking aren't your thing, Leysin hosts many hiking trails that let you explore the surrounding area. My favorite is the Profandaz lookout trail. Its about a two mile steep hike that leads you high above the village to one of the most beautiful lookouts in the world. The trail leads you past the cobblestone and into the forests, glens, and pastures that characterize the beauty of the alps. Once you get to the lookout, you are able to see the sunset over Lake Geneva. This hike is definitely worth looking into. I took at least a hundred pictures while up there. If you go early enough in the spring, you can walk through the fields of wild flowers in bloom.

After exploring almost of all of Switzerland, there is nowhere else I would have stayed than Leysin. Though it is a sleepy little village, there is still plenty to do and explore while relaxing with the amazing views the the Swiss alps have to offer. So if you want to experience true beauty, take a trip to Leysin and breath in Switzerland.

Trummelbach Falls: Mist in the Mountain

Lauterbrunnen. The heart of of the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. Home to the famous Monch, Eiger,Lauterbrunnen, Murren, and Gimmelwald. Flowering meadows, shear rock faces, and weathered mountain huts characterize the landscape. Avid rock climbers, paragliders, and base jumpers frequent the baby blue skyscape and mountain tops. The valley of Lauterbrunnen gives birth to 72 waterfalls that cascade down shear granite edifices. Their mist gives vibrant life to plush green pastures and lush mountain sides.
Jungfrau peaks. Nestled in these peaks one can find centuries old alpine villages such as

This valley also has a secret that can't be seen from a moving train, passing car, or a drifting paraglider. Trummelback Falls.

As one of the 72 falls in the valley, Trummelback is very unique. The average passerby can't see the falls because they are tucked inside the mountain itself. Acting as the life blood of the mountain, the falls themselves originate from thousands of years of glacial runoff, widdling a path or waterfall through the heart of the mountains and creating a beautiful spectacle that you can't find anywhere else in Europe.

When arriving to see the falls, you have to pay a small fee (10 francs) to get to the trailhead that leads to the falls. A path leads you from the main road, past some tourist junk shops and through a green meadow that allows you to take in the views of the imposing mountains on each side of the valley.

Once at the mouth of the falls, you can choose to take a lift to the top of the falls, or hike the path to the top. Once at the top you can explore the falls from five different look outs along the way. The path leads you deep through a damp caver into the heart of the mountain. From various lookout spots you can witness the raw power of this waterfall ripping through granite rock and through the mountain at a ferocious rate. Also, don't be afraid to get a little wet as the mist bellows from time to time from the cavern as if the mountain were alive and breathing.

Throughout the hike in the cavern, there are many spots where pillars of sunlight seep through the top of the mountain helping to give light to the cave and some amazing colors and rainbows to the waterfall itself. The waterfall is an amazing work of nature and is just one of many natural awe-inspiring sites that this region as well as the whole of Switzerland has to offer.

While traveling through this region, there are gobs of things to do, see, and explore. Seeing these falls is well worth the time and will further enrich your experience and motivate you to further explore this region, the most beautiful of Switzerland.

Scuffed, Scraped, and Smelly: Our Shoes and the Story They Tell

Filled with holes, caked with clay and worn down to the heels, my pair of Nike's have traveled to some exotic places. If they weren't inadament objects, you could sit around the campfire and listen to them tell stories of where they've been and what they've experienced.

When you get a new pair of shoes, you kind of feel like you have a new baby in the family. They are brand new, haven't experienced much in the world and you can wait to show them what the world has to offer. You think of all the special experiences that you are going to have together. This is how i felt when i got these special Nike's over 8 years ago and now looking back i start to realize just how many places these shoes have taken me.

I began to think about this special pair of shoes as i was beginning to put them on to go mow my lawn. These shoes have been on countless adventures and have experienced the true "sole" of so many countries. With these shoes, I have been able to go so many places. As I pondered about the stories these shoes could tell, once forgotten experiences began to flood into my brain. Here is a little taste of what unfolded as my feet began to slip into these familiar shoes these.

Just to name a few experiences, these shoes have:

1. Played basketball, football, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, golf, and soccer on just about every surface, field, and course that is on this planet.
2. Has hiked mile upon mile of the Swiss alps, the Rocky Mountains, the cobblestone streets of Europe and chunks of the St. James Way.
3. Kicked a hacky sack on the edge of the Grand Canyon, on platforms of various European rail stations, and terminals of countless airports.
4. They have experienced every kind of public restroom from the most luxurious self cleaning thrones to the most rank gas station outhouses known to man.
5. Tromped through foot upon foot of snow and frozen sidewalks in Utah.
6. Strutted the corridors and climbed the stone clad steps of the medieval cathedrals and castles of Europe.
7. Melted the souls walking miles and miles of the Phoenix Arizona valley.
8. Squashed quarter sized fire ants and flattened cockroaches the size of Pez dispensers.
9. Flown through the air of many theme park roller coasters and rides.
10. Dragged me through a number of 5k races.

Shoes can tell alot about people. Where they've been, what they've experienced, and how they got to where they are today. In a way, our shoes can be our personal journal. They can bring back memories and give us a sense of place. 

The next time you open your closet or look in your shoe basket, I challenge you to pick a pair, take a minute as you put them on and realize where these shoes have been and where they have taken you. Pretty soon you will find it hard the next time you have to throw away a pair.

Zion National Park: A Hiker's Paradise

Excitement, Awe, Wonder. Just three simple words that describe what one feels when entering Zion National Park. Having lived in Utah most of my existence, I have been able to experience several times the inspiration that comes from discovering this national park. The park has been called by many the "sandstone alps". Shear red rock cliffs explode from a desert landscape forming several mountains, slot canyons, monoliths, rivers, and arch ways.

Established officially as a National Park in 1909, Zion opened up a world of "Excitement, Awe, and Wonder" to millions who have traveled through the park for over a century.

Upon arriving in the park, one can truly see why it is a national treasure. The majority of the park snakes through the Zion canyon where visitors can take the shuttle loop through the canyon to see various peaks, mountains, and shear cliff faces. Using the shuttle makes it easy to be able to find certain highlights of the park as well as navigate to places that deserve exploration.

Like many national parks, Zion can only be fully appreciated on foot and this national park has plenty of hikes to choose from that can vary from extremely challenging to extremely relaxing. Though most of the hikes in Zion are awe-strikingly beautiful, here are a few suggestions that are some of my favorites:

Emerald Pools - This hike showcases a medium grade trail through one of Zion's many crevasses withing the canyon. The trail is no longer than 2 miles one way and takes you past pristine waterfalls and a glass like set of emerald colored pools.

Weeping Rock - A good family oriented hike of no more than .5 mile round trip. Along the way you can learn from various posted signs about the plant and wildlife along the path and around the park. The trail ends at Weeping Rock, a dripping, drizzling rock face that directs you to a beautiful lookout of the canyon. Perfect for those hot summer days in the park.

The Narrows - The Narrows explores another sub canyon of Zion. The trail starts off with a mile dirt path that leads you to a fordable one and half foot deep river. This is where the trail gets fun. Pull out your river shoes. You then get to follow the river up through precisely cut ravines and slot canyons. Here you are able to get an up close look at the rust colored sandstone that characterizes the park. Make sure to check weather conditions for this hike. It closes at times because of flash floods.

Observation Point - One of the most beautiful overlooks in the park, Observation point is a rigorous 8 mile round trip hike full of switchbacks, minimal level paths, and breathtaking views. The hike takes you to the peak of one of the mountains where you are able to see most of the Park. The hike can be, well, a hike, but it is completely worth the gorgeous view.

Angel's Landing - Truly the landmark hike of Zion, Angel's landing is a 2.4 mile one way hike that leads you through desert landscape to rigid rock face. The hike doesn't start to become strenuous until the last mile where the switchbacks come into play and you gain elevation quickly. The last half mile can be treacherous for some who have a fear of heights. As you are below the summit, the trail gets down to a single file path where you have to dodge people coming down from the summit all while not looking at the shear 1000 foot dropoff jsut to the side of the path. The park has installed "safety chains" to grab onto while navigating this part of the trail. Once at the summit, you are able to get one of the most picturesque 360

views of the park. Standing on this monolith one truly gets a sense of why they call it Angel's Landing.

Zion National Park is bursting with beauty and a plethora of hiking trails that allow you to explore this jewel in the desert. You will be whisked away by excitement, awe, and wonder as you traverse its paths and scale its mountains. Zion is Zion, go and explore it.

The Unexpected Layover: 5 Survival Tips for Evolving the Airport into a Personal Hotel

A sweat of panic slowly drips down my face as I glance at my watch. 8:37 AM. I quickly glance at my boarding pass. "Easy Jet flight 208.  Edinburgh to Geneva Switzerland. Departure: 9:10 AM. Arrival 11:20 AM." Wearily, i check my surroundings and quickly lose hope. Stuck in traffic in my rental car, i realize that my friend and I might not be making our flight back to Switzerland. To the left, all lanes closed due to construction. To the right, two lanes packed with commuters, bicyclists and pedestrians all trying to navigate the narrow cobblestone streets of Edinburgh. 8:43 AM. Finally a break in the traffic and we are on our way to the airport. Dodging traffic left and right, we carelessly throttle our Volkswagen to the rental station at the airport. 8:54 AM. Tripping over our words, we tell the rental check-in station that we are late for our flight. Empathetically they tell us that they will do all the check-in paper work. In a terror, looking like foolish tourists, we sprint with our luggage through the parking lot and into the airport until we arrived at our check-in desk. 9:05 AM. Wiping gobs of sweat from my face, I present my information to get my boarding pass. The worker looks at the computer, then at us, then at the computer again. "I'm sorry, they stopped boarding for this flight 5 minutes ago." Desperation and hopelessness poured over us like a bucket of ice. The next available flight wasn't for 32 more hours. The realization that we had little money left and that we were going to have to spend the night in the airport struck us like a Double-Decker bus.

I know that this happens to people on a daily basis and most of the time its not their fault. So here are five tips that I learned from my unexpected layover in the Edinburgh airport that can help you make your airport stay as comfortable as your hotel:

1) Make a Plan
Once the shock leaves you that you are going to have to overnight it in the airport, sit down, take a breath and make an hour by hour plan of what you are going to do. Plan out time for things like eating, walking around the airport, looking in shops, checking out different areas of the airport, planning out your laptop battery life. This will help to calm you nerves as well.

2) Scout Out Your Sleeping Quarters
I feel this to be one if not the most important. Try at all costs to stay off the floor if you can. Take a few laps around the airport. Try to get to know it inside out and find those hidden nooks where you can have some privacy or even a comfortable couch for the night. Many airports have a chapel or a quiet room that rarely is occupied that you may be able to bed down in. We were fortunate in Edinburgh to find a small more secluded cafe and lounge area. This was a home run because they had a few leather couches that were as comfortable as our hotel beds.

3) Budget Out What Money You Have Left
This is especially important if you are in another country and you only have a little bit of "Monopoly" money left. 9 times out of 10 ATM's in foreign countries will charge you an exchange fee so try not to pull out more money if you don't need it. We rationed our money out so we had just enough for a loaf of bread and a candy bar which saw us through dinner and breakfast. We also sought out free museums and attractions close by or in the airport.

4) Use Your Luggage

Whether you have found a comfortable couch or a secluded spot on the floor, make it more comfortable by using your luggage and its contents. A standard carry-on case works great as a pillow, seat, or foot ottoman. Jacket, towels and dirty t-shirts work great as pillows, blankets and foot rests. Luggage can also be used to stake out your area. We used our luggage like a wall sectioning off our little couch area. 

5) Plan a Fake Itinerary
Act as though you had an extra few days in the city that you are stuck in. Most airports have a tourist    
information office where you can go gather information and talk to travel workers. This is advantageous in that you might find something to see or do that is close to the airport. While stuck in Edinburgh airport, we visited the travel office and found out that for the cost of a few pounds, we could head back into downtown Edinburgh on the bus and visit several free museums. Even if it sounds like a waste of time, at least it will eat up some of your layover time.

Unexpected delays and layovers happen at airports and train stations all over the world on a daily basis. The key to survival is finding creative ways to spend your time and also to find a good location to bed down for the night. Whether you spend the night in the airport lounge or make hundreds of laps walking around the airport, keep calm and keep occupied.

San Francisco on Foot: 10 Must-Do's For A First Timer

In the world of travel blogs, writing about San Francisco has been beat to death. Why do people keep returning to this town and writing about their experiences? What is this city all about?

Because of all the hype, I decided to travel there to see what all the fuss is about since never in all my years have i been there. Needless to say, the town and surrounding area lived up to its hype. There are so many unique stories and experiences out there about this great city, I figure I would ad my adventure to the list.

San Francisco is a city full of exciting new adventures. Its unique architecture, history, people, and natural surroundings tend to stimulate the senses and keep people coming back to catch the vibe that is found along its shore lines, narrow streets, and iconic bridges.

This town is also one of the most pricey towns in the U.S. Being part of California, where everything is pricey, San Francisco can have you dirt poor within hours if you are not careful. One of the worse things about the city is finding parking. Once you find parking, get ready to shell out $50-$100 for a few hours parking time. There are alot of small parking lots that are charging $45 for the first hour and then $5 for every twenty minutes after that. So one of my most important suggestions is to park once and then do as much on foot as you can.

Experiencing the city by foot is key to having a true San Fran experience. Below is a list of 10 things that I think every first timer to the city should experience and most are done on foot. Many people have their own opinions about what is best to see and do there in this great town. These 10 of my favorites:

1) Fisherman's Wharf. As a first timer, its crucial that you experience the wharf. Located on the north piers of San Fran, the wharf is the gate way to bay area tour ships and transfer boats to Alcatraz. It showcases tons of tourist trap type shops selling all sorts of San Fran clothing and swag. I was there at the beginning of May and I couldn't have asked for better weather while walking the boardwalk along the wharf. The Wharf is also home to lots of street performers, restaurants, and Pier 39.

2) Pier 39. Yet another touristy must see. This pier in particular has plenty of unique shops and stalls including a magic shop, a left handed store, and a "7D" theater experience. My favorite part of Pier 39 is all the delicious seafood restaurants that surround Pier 39 as well as Fisherman's Wharf. Smells of fresh deep fried fish, crab, and lobster waft for miles down the wharf magnetically drawing people towards the Piers. Next to Pier 39 you can also watch the local sea lions sunbathing on the docks which is something they've been doing for decades.

3) Musee Mechanique. This is not your average museum. It actually houses hundreds of turn of the century coin operated machines. The "museum" has collected these from fairs, carnivals, and amusement parks from across the country. Test how strong you are with a mechanical arm wrestle or check out some 1920's "peep" shows. The museum also houses a few more recent arcade style games. The place is worth spending some time in.

4) Golden Gate Bridge. Golden Gate, the great icon of San Fran. You really can't leave this city without seeing it or going over it at least once. If you are feeling adventurous, you can walk across, drive across, or rent a Segway to cross the bridge on. For great photos, I suggest finding the road that takes you to the old civil war fort underneath the south side of the bridge to get a good view. Its just as picturesque when it is fogged over.

5) Alcatraz. This is another must-do while visiting the bay area. Take the ferry ($30) across the bay to experience the rock. The trip across the bay is just as awesome as the tour of Alcatraz itself. The rock's decaying cell blocks, rusted fences, and crumbling building tell a story of their own as you take a self guided tour through the old penitentiary.

6) Ride a Cable Car. What better way to see the city, especially the historical district, than by cable car. The cable cars have been operating the same way for over a century. It is quite the experience to stand on the edge of the car as you race up and down the steep streets while people hop on and off the car at different locations. The car will take you from Pier 39 to Market street with stops along the way at Lombard Street and Chinatown.

7) China Town. When visiting this area, I expected there to be alot more tourists than there was, but no it was alot like being in China. Packed within a few block radius, Chinatown houses several unique shops and delicious authentic Chinese restaurants. Passing a few markets, one can hear salesman shouting out specials in Chinese, the hustle and bustle of the market, and several different dialects being spoken. It is a true Chinese type experience.

8) Muir Woods State Park.  If you are looking for an escape from the busy city life in down town San Fran, you can escape to a forested sanctuary just a few miles north across the Golden Gate Bridge. Muir Woods is home to thousands of giant redwoods and sequoia trees that date back centuries. Juxtaposed to the busyness of San Fran, this grove of giants brings peace of mind and a break from running around the big city or sitting in the California traffic.

9) De Young: Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco. Located half a mile from the Golden Gate Bridge, this museum houses hundreds of works of art from well known arts from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. One of its best features is its contemporary exterior neo-classical architecture.

10) San Francisco Giants Game. AT&T Park is one of the most unique ballparks in the U.S. We were fortunate enough to get some $9 nosebleed seats but i really don't think there is a bad seat in that stadium. From our perch on the very last row, we were able to experience the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the bay itself. The park sits on the edge of bay. People in Kayaks sit out in the bay waiting to snag home run balls. It is a great experience for friends and family alike.

These are my top ten things to see. If i were to give an opinion of things to miss or just drive by i would say Coit Tower, Lombard Street (its cool to drive down), the Painted Ladies (the "full house" houses), Ghiradelli Square (Good place to visit for an ice cream),and the downtown area.

As you explore this down by foot, you will open yourself up to new sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and even textures. You will begin to experience what everyone else is talking about. I know I did and I plan on making several more trips to explore more of what this great city has to offer.

I, like many out there, need to start planning my next visit to this area. What are some of your favorite places to visit in San Francisco? What are some of your favorite restaurants as well as things to do?

Discovering the Royal Mile: Edinburgh, Scotland

Sometimes, one must experience the tourist traps. While experiencing Edinburgh, Scotland, I had to indulge myself by following the path of countless Scottish Royalty, and tourists for that matter, and cruise Edinburgh's famed Royal Mile. Paved in cobblestone and surrounded by centuries old building, the mile begins at Holyrood Palace and finds its end at Edinburgh Castle. Located in the center of Edinburgh, the mile entertains travelers and locals alike with various tourist shops, restaurants, and unique street performers. Attempting to dodge gobs of tourist junk vendors trying desperately to sell cheap Scottish kilts and toy bagpipes, i made my way to my first stop on the mile, Mary King's Close.

Around the beginning of the 1800's, over 100,00 people packed themselves into a 3 square mile in the center of Edinburgh along the Royal Mile. Most of this population lived in 7 to 12 story buildings called "closes" which lined the Royal Mile. In these closes would live the impoverished community, packed 10-12 people in a 15x10 foot room, battling diseases, robbers, poverty and the plague. Mary King was a prominent member of Edinburgh society and therefor had her own close. Around the turn of the 20th century, Edinburgh decided to build afresh their city so they paved a concrete street over the first 2-3 stories of the closes along the mile in order to kick out some of these impoverished folks living there and give there town a fresh look. Today you can pay some money and take a tour of Mary King's close. The guide takes you down under ground to the exquisitely preserved close. The buildings, tunnels and caverns all are still intact and one can get a true sense of what it was like to live there. This close in particular housed plague victims and was the scene of several gruesome murders and kidnappings. Many different paranormal groups claim that it is haunted because of its vile history. The tour guide will even shut the lights off and tell you some ghost stories and paranormal experiences many people have had in the close. I found this experience fascinating. But there is even more to the mile.

Next, we discovered the 500 year old St. Giles Cathedral. It is an iconic Edinburgh landmark with its crown shaped roof and high Gothic architecture. While there, the local choir was practicing for the weekend's mass. It was an enlightening experience to sit in the pews and admire the stain class and architecture while listening to beautiful hymns sung by the choir.

Continuing up the mile, we were able to explore some more shops and pubs. The pub culture, like most of the UK, is front and center in Scottish culture. They truly pride themselves on their delicately aged Scotch Whiskey and different home brewed beers and are always eager to help tourist try some select vintages.

Our adventure up the mile was capped off by several street performances including the musical stylings of a group of bagpipers. Yeah I know its
touristy but its something you need to experience
while discovering Edinburgh.

The Royal Mile is steeped in history, centuries old architecture, entertaining street performers, and the occasional paranormal experience. When traveling to Edinburgh, the Royal Mile is a must experience and in the end, it will lead you to Edinburgh Castle which is an experience in and of itself. Cheers.

Learning to "Grok : Take 5 Steps

Robert A. Heinlein wrote in his 1961 novel "Stranger in a Strange Land",  "We must grok in fullness". What does it mean to grok in fullness, or rather what does grok even mean? The dictionary defines grok as to understand something intuitively or through empathy, or becoming one with someone/something through empathy. Well how do we gain empathy then? The answer is simple, we put ourselves in the shoes of others.

This is one of the most fundamental principles of travel. We travel to see new places, experience new things, and put ourselves in the shoes of people who presently live in those destinations or situations as well as the people who have lived in years past in those destinations and situations. Through their eyes, we began to become empathetic and truly understand cultures, history, and day-to-day life of people around the world. Thus we truly can "grok" destinations and truly experience what it means to travel.

To be more specific, I would like you to consider taking these 5 simple steps in order that you may learn to "grok" your next travel experience. The prescription is simple. It involves conscientiously using your five senses on a daily basis while you travel. Ready, set, grok:

   1. Look to See: This is a given, every day try to see something new that you have never seen before.  
       Try to look for things other than what you thought you came to that place to see.

   2. Listen to Hear: Every day,take  
       a few minutes, find a relaxing  
       place while at your destination,
       close your eyes, and listen to the
       sounds around you. Strive to
       listen for things you wouldn't
       normally pick up on. For me, i
       loved to do this in Europe. I
       loved to hear the conversations
       in an outdoor cafe, listen to the
       symphony of cowbells in a
       Swiss pasture, and listening to
       water gushing through mountain
       streams.

   3. Touch to Feel:  Every day,
       touch something new that you never have before whether its the wet nose of St. Bernard, wooden
       texture of a 500 year old bridge, or the precisely crafted stone work of a centuries old cathedral.

  4. Sniff to Smell: Every day, strive to smell something new. These smells will stamp this experience
      in your memory so that if that scent comes wafting past your nose again in your life, you will be
      transported back to the time and place where you first smelled that scent.

   5. Lick to Taste: This is my favorite, search out something to taste/eat that you never have before.
       Not only will this help stamp out your hunger, but it will help you to experience and appreciate the
       culture of the destination that you are visiting.

Learning to "Grok" is an essential practice while traveling. While it is true that we travel for some much needed R&R, we must strive to "grok" the experience so that we can cement memories with those with whom we travel and be a able to gain a better appreciation and knowledge of the world in which we live.

Yvoire : Medieval Rose of France

Nestled along the shores of Lake Geneva are several gems. One can discover adventure on both the Swiss and French side of the lake. One of the most popular tourist stops along the lake is found in the heart of the french side of the lake called Evian. Why is it a tourist trap? Because of Evian water. That cool alp spring water that is bottled there and sold at your local grocery store for an exuberant price. What many people fail to miss as they scurry to the spring of tourism that is Evian, is the quaint town of Yvoire.

Located 30 Kilometers or so west of Evian on the shore of Lake Geneva, Yvoire is a medieval town steeped in history. A town, predominantly owned by the Savoys back in the day, that has seen it share of battles and history through the centuries. Today, the village of Yvoire is recognized as one of the International Laureates of Floral Decorations and is a member of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Why is it considered one of the most beautiful villages in France? Well I'll tell you.

The journey to get there itself is relaxing and picturesque. To get there you can drive or do what i did and take one of Lake Geneva's steamships across the Lake from the Swiss side. Riding the ship is a good way to see the area. You will find yourself on the lake surrounded by the alps, sailboats, and the occasional kayak or paddle boat.

Once in the village, spending some time relaxing around the towns medieval ruins helps you to take in the experience. The village is filled with different craft and souvenir shops as well as your pick of gelato and crepe stands. Ducks and Swans lounge by the lake side and are always up for a snack from visitors.

By far one of the main reasons that it is recognized as one of France's treasures is that it is bursting with a variety flowers and shrubbery. Walking down the narrow medieval streets and corridors one notices that the stone walls, quaint homes, and shop entrances are bathed in green vines and bursting with colorful flowers of all kinds. I suggest going in the spring months when everything is in bloom. People spend hours wandering the streets of the village, indulging themselves in mountains of gelato and relaxing on the pier next to the castle taking in the floral beauty and historical architecture that remains from centuries of history. This is by far one of my favorite little gems in Europe.

Yvoire is a historical time capsule that is as much a must see as Evian minus the crowds. Its medieval city walls and stone clad castle ruins give the village a sense of Romanticism and intrigue. Blooming flowers and vibrant vines will help you to relax and enjoy a small piece of the beauty that Europe has to offer.

Becoming a Culinary Explorer

As a lover of sweet pastries, savory meats, and spicy entrees, I would like to express my thanks to every immigrant that has ever picked up there lives and moved to another country. It is because of these people that I get to enjoy such a delicious variety of cuisine almost on a daily basis. Throughout history, people have taken their cultures and brought them with them wherever they have dwelt. When these people arrived in their new destination, they cooked the only thing they new how, which lucky for us, were their cultural culinary staples. Over time people began to integrate these recipes into our every day culture and now days we can become culinary explorers.

A few years back, I was living in Arizona trying to survive the heat. Arizona is home to a vast Hispanic population and it is reflected in their cuisine and urban areas. Throughout the Phoenix valley, the landscape seems to be dotted with Mexican restaurants, taco stands, and bicycle vendors. During my first week living there I was invited by a wonderful Mexican family to celebrate a birthday of one of the family members. When it came time to eat, the tables were piled high with all the Mexican staples, beef tongue (lengua), beef cheek (cabeza), all kinds of pork, tamales, carne asada, and mountains of rice and beans. Being my first week there and having never tried these things, i strapped on my culinary exploring napkin and went to work. Low and behold, lengua and cabeza were amazing. I couldn't get enough of it. After living in AZ for a few years, i became so accustomed to spicy Mexican food, that it was hard to eat anything else. Thanks to people like this wonderful family, gringos like myself can enjoy this type of food just about wherever i go.

If one looks around our country and the world, you can truly see how the food is reflected in the culture. Centuries ago, people did the best with what they had and the food keeps evolving to become more and more delicious. By traveling around, one can best learn of a county's culture by trying the food. One of the main reasons for traveling, especially outside the country, is to learn and experience another culture. While traveling do me a favor, be brave and try the food. Trust me you will be surprised how awesome the food and culture really are. Please don't go to a McDonald's unless it is the last option. Being a culinary explorer will help to enhance your view of the world and help you to fall in love with a culture and its food.

Why Travel?

Greetings, my name is Erik and I like to travel. Why do I like to travel? Traveling unveils new worlds, cultures, experiences, foods, languages, and people to me that i can't get from sitting in the office all day or from thumbing through channels on my living room couch. Travel thrusts me out of my comfort zone and into a zone where exploration and learning is  encouraged. I am an artist and graphic designer and one of the only fountains of inspiration i can receive is through travel. Travel truly helps you to appreciate your own life and gives introspection on the past. Robert Louis Stevenson said, "For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move."

Why do people travel?  I have met several people throughout my travel experience who travel for different reasons. Some are like me who want to learn about different cultures and discover the picturesque grandeur found in nature. Others are wanting a vacation from their day to day lives. Others seek to find themselves.

Several months ago I had the opportunity to hike to the St. Bernard's Monastery and stay a few nights
in this centuries old hospice. Nestled at the tops of the alps on the boarder of Italy and Switzerland, this monastery has been helping pilgrims, travelers, and tourists navigate their path through the alps as well as their pathway through life. While spending time there, I was able to truly "meditate" on life and where my path was leading me. Several other travelers were also seeking signs to their own pathway in life. Travel frequently allows you to discover different parts of the world as well as give you a chance to reflect inward on life's great journey.

Travel can be such a gift to so many. Sometimes we don't seem to take advantage of it enough. To me personally, travel is a gift. Eight years ago I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease. I've spend thousands of hours bedridden and under the surgeons scalpel. The experience has truly taught me what a blessing it is to get out and experience the world as much as possible because life can slow you down without warning. I think that is another reason why travel is so inspirational to me.

Inspiring travel has helped so many and continues to uplift us. What does traveling mean to you?