ArmyMommy posts are specific to topics and experiences related to our being an Army family. Civilian readers might not care ;-)
Preparations for our Christmas trip are well underway. As a new mom, I find myself adding a few extra steps in my usual trip prep procedure. One overarching concern is anticipating anything that could happen to our almost one-year-old. On top of that list are, God forbid, medical emergencies.
If you're an Army family, like us, chances are you have Tricare for your health insurance. The good news is that Tricare will cover emergency care for you and any covered person while overseas (please check your coverage). But there are a few things that you should know.
One, make sure that your information is up-to-date with DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System). If you have to ask what DEERS is, than you might not want to read the rest of this post!
Second, be sure to carry your military ID with you. For kids without IDs yet, like our baby, request a Tricare beneficiary card to help facilitate things when seeking care overseas. Do so well in advance of your trip as the card processing might take a while (I have to admit that I have not done this yet). Absent a card for the kid, a parent's ID will often be enough, but in case you are traveling with other people who might be the ones who end up taking the child to the hospital or doctor, the child's own card will be necessary. Same goes for when kid is traveling to, say, grandma's, without parents in tow.
Third, collect the names and contact information of providers in the cities or countries you are traveling to. We are going to three cities in Europe. I looked up participating medical and dental providers in these cities here. With their contact info in hand, we will know exactly who to call in case we need a doctor or dentist.
Tricare directs its beneficiaries to get help finding medical care from the US embassy or consulate in whatever city or country one is visiting. But there's also an emergency phone number that one can keep handy. The international SOS number I found off the Tricare Europe web site is 44 - 20 - 8762 8133 (collect).
If you find yourself in a real medical emergency, do not hesitate to rush to the closest emergency room. You may seek care at non-participating providers. Just make sure that you contact Tricare after you get there, and definitely before you leave the hospital or doctor's office. And by all means, keep all records and receipts! Tricare Standard beneficiaries, for example, have to pay out of pocket and are then reimbursed stateside. I'm not too clear on this part since we are on Tricare Prime so please double check.
It might also help to have the contact info for Tricare where you are going. In Europe, its:
TRICARE Area Office: Eurasia-Africa
011-49-6302-67-6314
DSN: 496-6314
teoweb@europe.tricare.osd.mil
www.tricare.mil/eurasiaafrica
For more details, read this June 2010 news release about traveling overseas with Tricare.
Finally, pack a travel medical kit. Our doctor is helping us put one together. It should include items that you usually use to treat your child if he or she has a cold, or a slight fever, as well as dosing instructions. Realize that medicines that we are used to seeing at Walgreens might not be the same as what's available in other countries. There are many sites online that feature packing lists for such kits. Here's one checklist. Add and subtract as applicable. For our baby, for example, we are skipping the teething medicine and sunscreen, and adding saline nasal spray and Vicks Baby Rub.
If you have any medical concerns at all, try to see your doctor before you leave on a trip. Oh, and make sure your kids are up-to-date on all their shots.
Now, you can worry about packing!
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
I'm going back to the Philippines...
...where a yaya is waiting!
While I sort out the ticket situation, I'm thinking about how best to spend the two weeks we have carved out for this trip.
So far, we have lined up a day trip to Corregidor, a weekend in El Paradiso, and a must-have visit to Los Banos. If you were going, what else would you see and do?
Here's one take on a balikbayan guide.
While I sort out the ticket situation, I'm thinking about how best to spend the two weeks we have carved out for this trip.
So far, we have lined up a day trip to Corregidor, a weekend in El Paradiso, and a must-have visit to Los Banos. If you were going, what else would you see and do?
Here's one take on a balikbayan guide.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Of Tony, Augusto, and Filipino pride
I was enjoying a high of Filipino pride in the wake of the Philippine episode of "No Reservations" when I read this. It seems the guy Anthony Bourdain himself credited for getting him sufficiently psyched to visit the Philippines was catching flack for, of all things, not being Filipino enough.
Some background: Viewers of "No Reservations" on the Travel Channel have seen Anthony Bourdain traipse across Asia in all sorts of exotic culinary adventures. But much to the dismay of many Filipino and Filipino-American fans, he kept skipping our 7,100+ islands. Then came a contest that solicited advice, nay, enthusiastically worded and videotaped suggestions, from viewers on where Tony should head next. Enter Augusto, a young Fil-Am whose video caught Tony's eye. With his "Philippines"-emblazoned hoody and a photo of a full roasted pig, Augusto somehow gave Tony the push he needed to finally embark on a Filipino food adventure.
Tony ate sisig and taho, slurped goat bile soup, got a little education on the origins of Filipino food, and drank lots of San Miguel beer. But he also went on a journey of discovery of sorts, with Augusto, who was trying to reconnect with his Filipino roots in Cebu. A New Yorker more than a Cebuano, Augusto was, in a way, just as wide-eyed (or even more so, Bourdain being the world traveler that he is) as Tony as he coaxed the bone marrow in bulalo, or crunched on crispy lechon skin.
The criticism of Augusto seems to stem from the fact that he had only been to the Philippines one other time before coming with the Travel Channel crew. He was no expert, on the Philippines nor its food, by any stretch of the imagination. Hell, he couldn't even speak Filipino.
Thing is, he didn't need to. Anyone who's seen the episode can see that Augusto was not there to guide Tony. They had other experts (local tour guides, chefs, bloggers, etc.) for that. Augusto was there to be Tony's companion, and perhaps to illustrate the crazy, confusing amalgamation that is the Philippines, its people and its food--constantly changing, struggling to be defined, yearning to be rediscovered.
Another thing: This is not new territory for the show. In one episode, Tony goes with a Korean-American on a trip to the countryside to visit her grandfather. She too was reconnecting with her roots, dining with relatives she hardly sees and perhaps barely knows. While she seemed more knowledgeable about Korean cuisine than Augusto was of Filipino food, the storyline was essentially the same. It was a journey into a new country for Tony, made more poignant perhaps when experienced with another American finding a connection to her heritage.
Whatever the motivation, whatever Tony's reason was for picking Augusto, I think the episode was successful in giving its largely North American audience a taste of what the Philippines has to offer to travelers. We've gone unnoticed for too long, relegated to the second, if not third, tier list of people's places to visit. Seeing the show, I was reminded of the country's complexity, the noise and clamor of its city streets, against the relative quiet of what I still consider my tree-lined streets in Los Banos. It's enough to keep me going back, knowing that with every visit, there will always be something new to see and do in my old town.
As for Augusto, I say kudos to him and other Filipinos like him who desire a connection with the country of their roots. So many of us have left the Philippines, and many more will follow in our footsteps. But to those to refuse to forget, who live their new lives in new countries as Filipinos still, I say thank you. And spread the word.
In the meantime, enjoy bits of the show here:
Some background: Viewers of "No Reservations" on the Travel Channel have seen Anthony Bourdain traipse across Asia in all sorts of exotic culinary adventures. But much to the dismay of many Filipino and Filipino-American fans, he kept skipping our 7,100+ islands. Then came a contest that solicited advice, nay, enthusiastically worded and videotaped suggestions, from viewers on where Tony should head next. Enter Augusto, a young Fil-Am whose video caught Tony's eye. With his "Philippines"-emblazoned hoody and a photo of a full roasted pig, Augusto somehow gave Tony the push he needed to finally embark on a Filipino food adventure.
Tony ate sisig and taho, slurped goat bile soup, got a little education on the origins of Filipino food, and drank lots of San Miguel beer. But he also went on a journey of discovery of sorts, with Augusto, who was trying to reconnect with his Filipino roots in Cebu. A New Yorker more than a Cebuano, Augusto was, in a way, just as wide-eyed (or even more so, Bourdain being the world traveler that he is) as Tony as he coaxed the bone marrow in bulalo, or crunched on crispy lechon skin.
The criticism of Augusto seems to stem from the fact that he had only been to the Philippines one other time before coming with the Travel Channel crew. He was no expert, on the Philippines nor its food, by any stretch of the imagination. Hell, he couldn't even speak Filipino.
Thing is, he didn't need to. Anyone who's seen the episode can see that Augusto was not there to guide Tony. They had other experts (local tour guides, chefs, bloggers, etc.) for that. Augusto was there to be Tony's companion, and perhaps to illustrate the crazy, confusing amalgamation that is the Philippines, its people and its food--constantly changing, struggling to be defined, yearning to be rediscovered.
Another thing: This is not new territory for the show. In one episode, Tony goes with a Korean-American on a trip to the countryside to visit her grandfather. She too was reconnecting with her roots, dining with relatives she hardly sees and perhaps barely knows. While she seemed more knowledgeable about Korean cuisine than Augusto was of Filipino food, the storyline was essentially the same. It was a journey into a new country for Tony, made more poignant perhaps when experienced with another American finding a connection to her heritage.
Whatever the motivation, whatever Tony's reason was for picking Augusto, I think the episode was successful in giving its largely North American audience a taste of what the Philippines has to offer to travelers. We've gone unnoticed for too long, relegated to the second, if not third, tier list of people's places to visit. Seeing the show, I was reminded of the country's complexity, the noise and clamor of its city streets, against the relative quiet of what I still consider my tree-lined streets in Los Banos. It's enough to keep me going back, knowing that with every visit, there will always be something new to see and do in my old town.
As for Augusto, I say kudos to him and other Filipinos like him who desire a connection with the country of their roots. So many of us have left the Philippines, and many more will follow in our footsteps. But to those to refuse to forget, who live their new lives in new countries as Filipinos still, I say thank you. And spread the word.
In the meantime, enjoy bits of the show here:
Friday, January 23, 2009
Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul
I thought I'd explain more about the exhibit V & I saw at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. But lacking the information to write knowledgeably about it, I defer to the experts.
From the National Geographic website:
The Hidden Treasure
In 1988, Afghanistan was ten years into a violent civil war. As the security situation in the capital worsened, government and National Museum officials worried the Kabul museum, home to thousands of historical artifacts and works of art, would be destroyed or looted. They made a plan to transfer many of the objects to secret hiding places.
By 1989, the transfer was complete, and caches of priceless historical objects were secured in the Ministry of Information and the Central Bank treasury vault at the presidential palace. Among the hidden treasures were Bronze Age gold pieces, hundreds of ancient coins, and the famous "Bactrian hoard," a collection of some 20,000 gold, silver, and ivory objects from burial plots at Tillya Tepe in northern Afghanistan.
Workers involved in the transfer swore secrecy and designated "key holders" for the vaults. They kept their covenant through civil war and Taliban rule at enormous personal risk.
The objects remained hidden despite nearly constant conflict and political upheaval in Kabul. But a campaign by the Taliban in 2001 to "destroy all images" resulted in the loss of thousands of irreplaceable artifacts throughout the country, including many of the items hidden in the Ministry of Information. But the palace treasures survived.
In 2003, after the Taliban had been thrown from power by a U.S. military campaign and Afghanistan's first open elections had installed Hamid Karzai as president, a report from the Central Bank in Kabul revealed that the museum trunks deposited at the palace vault in 1989 were intact.
A team of local and international experts, including archaeologist and National Geographic Fellow Fredrik Hiebert, assembled in Kabul to see the vault opened and verify the authenticity of its contents.
When the first safe was finally cracked, the team saw piles of small plastic bags with old labels, each one containing beads and jewelry. Russian archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi, whose team had discovered the Tillya Tepe objects in 1979, smiled when he spotted an artifact with a small wire repair that he'd made with his own hands.
In June of 2004, an announcement was made to the world that the Bactrian hoard and other hidden treasures of Afghanistan were found, and an international effort was mounted to preserve these collections and put them on exhibition for the world to see.
Images from nationalgeographic.com.
If nothing else, this exhibit shows us a side of the Afghan culture and people different from the images we've been seeing on TV all these years. "Hidden Treasures" goes to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, then the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
From the National Geographic website:
The Hidden Treasure
In 1988, Afghanistan was ten years into a violent civil war. As the security situation in the capital worsened, government and National Museum officials worried the Kabul museum, home to thousands of historical artifacts and works of art, would be destroyed or looted. They made a plan to transfer many of the objects to secret hiding places.
By 1989, the transfer was complete, and caches of priceless historical objects were secured in the Ministry of Information and the Central Bank treasury vault at the presidential palace. Among the hidden treasures were Bronze Age gold pieces, hundreds of ancient coins, and the famous "Bactrian hoard," a collection of some 20,000 gold, silver, and ivory objects from burial plots at Tillya Tepe in northern Afghanistan.
Workers involved in the transfer swore secrecy and designated "key holders" for the vaults. They kept their covenant through civil war and Taliban rule at enormous personal risk.
The objects remained hidden despite nearly constant conflict and political upheaval in Kabul. But a campaign by the Taliban in 2001 to "destroy all images" resulted in the loss of thousands of irreplaceable artifacts throughout the country, including many of the items hidden in the Ministry of Information. But the palace treasures survived.
In 2003, after the Taliban had been thrown from power by a U.S. military campaign and Afghanistan's first open elections had installed Hamid Karzai as president, a report from the Central Bank in Kabul revealed that the museum trunks deposited at the palace vault in 1989 were intact.
A team of local and international experts, including archaeologist and National Geographic Fellow Fredrik Hiebert, assembled in Kabul to see the vault opened and verify the authenticity of its contents.
When the first safe was finally cracked, the team saw piles of small plastic bags with old labels, each one containing beads and jewelry. Russian archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi, whose team had discovered the Tillya Tepe objects in 1979, smiled when he spotted an artifact with a small wire repair that he'd made with his own hands.
In June of 2004, an announcement was made to the world that the Bactrian hoard and other hidden treasures of Afghanistan were found, and an international effort was mounted to preserve these collections and put them on exhibition for the world to see.
Images from nationalgeographic.com.
If nothing else, this exhibit shows us a side of the Afghan culture and people different from the images we've been seeing on TV all these years. "Hidden Treasures" goes to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, then the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
A quick San Francisco trip
Can't seem to get my mind in gear for a proper post, so here's one of images from a recent weekend in San Francisco.
Saturday afternoon was spent perusing the exhibit "Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul" at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Aside from the amazing artifacts displaying a mixture of cultural influences, the exhibit tells the story of how these artifacts were rescued from the massive destruction in Afghanistan. More info here. For those in the Bay Area, you only have till this weekend to catch it.
Saturday night went as follows, with my good friend Ameetess: cocktails at Michael Mina, show at the Punchline, and late dinner at Ana Mandara.
Sunday was a slow day. I wanted to visit the Xanadu Gallery, located in the only Frank Lloyd Wright building in San Francisco. Got as far as the circular gate as the gallery was closed. Another visit for another day. Even from the outside though, the Wright details are self-evident. Peeking inside, one sees hints of the style of the Guggenheim in New York.
For a late lunch, we headed over to the Ferry Building. Had a soft-shell crab sandwich while V had his staple fish and chips. Lots of artisinal shops to peruse, including a mushroom stall, a salumeria, and of course, a pastry shop.
Saturday afternoon was spent perusing the exhibit "Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul" at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Aside from the amazing artifacts displaying a mixture of cultural influences, the exhibit tells the story of how these artifacts were rescued from the massive destruction in Afghanistan. More info here. For those in the Bay Area, you only have till this weekend to catch it.
Saturday night went as follows, with my good friend Ameetess: cocktails at Michael Mina, show at the Punchline, and late dinner at Ana Mandara.
Sunday was a slow day. I wanted to visit the Xanadu Gallery, located in the only Frank Lloyd Wright building in San Francisco. Got as far as the circular gate as the gallery was closed. Another visit for another day. Even from the outside though, the Wright details are self-evident. Peeking inside, one sees hints of the style of the Guggenheim in New York.
For a late lunch, we headed over to the Ferry Building. Had a soft-shell crab sandwich while V had his staple fish and chips. Lots of artisinal shops to peruse, including a mushroom stall, a salumeria, and of course, a pastry shop.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Back from the holidays
How's your 2009 going so far?
Good, I hope. V and I have just barely recovered from being on the go since Dec. 22. Drove to Oceanside to spend Christmas there with my family. Drove back up to Monterey on the 26th so they can spend the weekend here. Said goodbye to my family on the 28th, leaving just enough time to pack and catch our 6 AM flight to Wisconsin the next day.
Spent New Year's with V's family in Stevens Point, with a day trip to Madison squeezed in. Flew back on the 4th, arriving at home well past midnight, sans one piece of checked bag. Spent yesterday unpacking, doing laundry, and playing with Briscoe. Today, it was naps, and chores, more laundry, and dealing with things around the house that are suddenly breaking.
Is something up? Our overpriced plasma TV konked out a few days before we left for Oceanside. Then the printer decided throw out a bunch of "cartridge errors," despite the nearly new cartridges. Then yesterday, as I was cleaning up my dog's accident in my office (in a momentary lapse of reason, I gave her half a can of tuna with her dog food), the brushes on the steam carpet cleaner stop turning.
Now I have to figure out if it is worth it to get any of these items fixed, or if buying new ones is more efficient.
On another note, the holidays were fun, albeit tiring. My sibs and I, along with V and my good friend Ameetess, got happy on a few bottles of wine and beer on Christmas eve. Childhood stories were told, along with many others which had us grabbing our stomachs in laughter. The weekend in Monterey was more low-key, spent walking on the wharf, filling up on seafood, and driving the picturesque 17-Mile Drive. We also spent the day with an aunt I haven't seen in years, who drove down from Hayward for the day.
In Stevens Point, V & I did the rounds of visiting his relatives. On New Year's eve, we caught up with aunts and uncles over lasagna and, for me particularly, multiple slices of red velvet cake. Watched the ball drop in Times Sqaure while sitting in a country bar, with V's brother Seth, his old friend Corey, and a bottle of the local brew. On the 2nd, V, Seth and I spent the day in Madison, visiting the "Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired" Monona Terrace, the state capitol building, and the dearly missed Outback Steakhouse where we introduced Seth to the wonders of the Bloomin' Onion.
More importantly, V got to say a final goodbye to the 128-year old farmhouse that was home to his granparents and dad. He walked the rooms, the barn, climbed up the hayloft, peeked into the chicken coop, and spent time with his grandma remembering the years he spent growing up in that farm. I took pictures until my hands hurt from the cold.
To top it off, I got my Marimekko wall hanging and my Gorillapod, and Briscoe got a snazzy new collar from the in-laws.
All things considered, it was satisfying holiday spent with family and friends. Laundry, repairs and the rest of our real lives aside, we recognize that we have been blessed and are ever thankful.
Best wishes to all in 2009.
Good, I hope. V and I have just barely recovered from being on the go since Dec. 22. Drove to Oceanside to spend Christmas there with my family. Drove back up to Monterey on the 26th so they can spend the weekend here. Said goodbye to my family on the 28th, leaving just enough time to pack and catch our 6 AM flight to Wisconsin the next day.
Spent New Year's with V's family in Stevens Point, with a day trip to Madison squeezed in. Flew back on the 4th, arriving at home well past midnight, sans one piece of checked bag. Spent yesterday unpacking, doing laundry, and playing with Briscoe. Today, it was naps, and chores, more laundry, and dealing with things around the house that are suddenly breaking.
Is something up? Our overpriced plasma TV konked out a few days before we left for Oceanside. Then the printer decided throw out a bunch of "cartridge errors," despite the nearly new cartridges. Then yesterday, as I was cleaning up my dog's accident in my office (in a momentary lapse of reason, I gave her half a can of tuna with her dog food), the brushes on the steam carpet cleaner stop turning.
Now I have to figure out if it is worth it to get any of these items fixed, or if buying new ones is more efficient.
On another note, the holidays were fun, albeit tiring. My sibs and I, along with V and my good friend Ameetess, got happy on a few bottles of wine and beer on Christmas eve. Childhood stories were told, along with many others which had us grabbing our stomachs in laughter. The weekend in Monterey was more low-key, spent walking on the wharf, filling up on seafood, and driving the picturesque 17-Mile Drive. We also spent the day with an aunt I haven't seen in years, who drove down from Hayward for the day.
In Stevens Point, V & I did the rounds of visiting his relatives. On New Year's eve, we caught up with aunts and uncles over lasagna and, for me particularly, multiple slices of red velvet cake. Watched the ball drop in Times Sqaure while sitting in a country bar, with V's brother Seth, his old friend Corey, and a bottle of the local brew. On the 2nd, V, Seth and I spent the day in Madison, visiting the "Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired" Monona Terrace, the state capitol building, and the dearly missed Outback Steakhouse where we introduced Seth to the wonders of the Bloomin' Onion.
More importantly, V got to say a final goodbye to the 128-year old farmhouse that was home to his granparents and dad. He walked the rooms, the barn, climbed up the hayloft, peeked into the chicken coop, and spent time with his grandma remembering the years he spent growing up in that farm. I took pictures until my hands hurt from the cold.
To top it off, I got my Marimekko wall hanging and my Gorillapod, and Briscoe got a snazzy new collar from the in-laws.
All things considered, it was satisfying holiday spent with family and friends. Laundry, repairs and the rest of our real lives aside, we recognize that we have been blessed and are ever thankful.
Best wishes to all in 2009.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Dreaming of a Manila Christmas
I'm dreaming of a Christmas spent in the Philippines. The last Christmas I spent *home* was in 1997. Going back now, I know that the experience won't be quite the same. Most of my family is here, scattered all over the US and Canada. Same with friends. But I'm looking forward to a new kind of Philippine Christmas, spent with the hubby, and maybe (just maybe) kids later (much, much later) on.
Christmas time is the prime season for balikbayans visiting the Philippines. For most of us who have not been there in a while, we yearn for the old, while searching for the new.
For me, the old means hanging out in Los Banos, visiting my lolo's grave in Loyola, driving along Katipunan perhaps, breakfast at Pancake House, a weekend in El Paradiso (the private beach of family friends), and so on.
The new, well, I would need help with that. Cecile of Chuvaness suggests, among other things, checking out the Salcedo Market on Saturdays, a meal at Antonio's Garden in Tagaytay, and shopping at a Team Manila lifestyle store. See her full Balikbayan Guide here.
What are your Manila/Philippines musts?
Christmas time is the prime season for balikbayans visiting the Philippines. For most of us who have not been there in a while, we yearn for the old, while searching for the new.
For me, the old means hanging out in Los Banos, visiting my lolo's grave in Loyola, driving along Katipunan perhaps, breakfast at Pancake House, a weekend in El Paradiso (the private beach of family friends), and so on.
The new, well, I would need help with that. Cecile of Chuvaness suggests, among other things, checking out the Salcedo Market on Saturdays, a meal at Antonio's Garden in Tagaytay, and shopping at a Team Manila lifestyle store. See her full Balikbayan Guide here.
What are your Manila/Philippines musts?
Monday, December 8, 2008
Trip Playback: Thanksgiving in Vegas (Part 1)
I really should have taken more pictures.
That said, the Vegas trip was a success. Good food with good friends, old and new. It was relaxing too, which is a surprise considering every other time I've been in Vegas has always been a whirlwind of activities.
Getting there was easy enough. V & I drove a little over 500 miles, in about 9 hours. Hit some traffic along the way, on cursed CA 58, but that was to be expected. The drive home, on the other hand, was another level of hell. More on that later.
Got to Bally's and checked in without problems. Bally's is an older hotel, but at $59 a night for a holiday weekend, I could not pass up the deal. It's connected to the Paris Hotel next door, providing easy access to better restaurants and such, and is centrally located on the Strip, at Las Vegas Blvd. and Flamingo Road. I knew from reviews on Tripadvisor (a valuable tool for travelers) that a renovated room is a must. We were given a renovated king room in the North Tower, sacrificing a view of the Bellagio fountains. But I'll take a nice clean room over a view any day. Quick review and more pictures here.
As soon as we unloaded our bags, the eating and drinking ensued. We met with V's old friend Adam, who is now a Vegas local. First meal of the trip was dinner at Mon Ami Gabi in Paris. V had excellent steak frites (fries were more like chips, and very yummy) while I had some grilled chicken breast served with green beans. Tried their Frangria, their signature French sangria, but was not a fan.
After dinner and a quick change of clothes, we met up again at New York New York's new club, Rok. The club itself was so-so, and if I wasn't with friends, I would've been in a sour mood about waiting in line. After about 45 minutes (ugh!), we were let in. It was crowded and filled with scantily-dressed young twenty-somethings--really not my scene any more. Things got interesting when after about a half hour, some performer took the stage. It was Mya, of "Ghetto Superstar" and "Lady Marmalade" fame! Soon after her set, we called it a night. Not bad for our first few hours in town.
One more thing, if you're in New York New York, check out Nine Fine Irishmen. The band is pretty cool, and most nights, Riverdancing ensues.
Where else did we eat and drink?
Trader Vic's in Planet Hollywood
First caught a show at the upstairs LA Comedy Club. Dinner was downstairs, in the main dining room. Food was okay. I had some stir-fry lobster and a mai tai. Trader Vic has a Polynesian theme, so be prepared for a tiki-overload. Prices were fair.
Red Square in Mandalay Bay
Looking for a quiet place to sit, drink and talk, we headed to Red Square in Mandalay Bay. The room has a cool, Cold War Russia theme. They have a vodka vault, where apparently, they've stashed the frozen head of Lenin. A headless Lenin statue greets you at the restaurant's door. The drinks menu was understandably heavy on vodka and martinis. The place is quiet enough for conversation, if you can get a table at the bar area. Only diners get so sit at the booths in the dining area. Martinis went for around $15.
Gallagher's Steakhouse in New York New York
Dinner and a show is one of my favorite ways to spend an evening. With Zumanity tickets at hand, we headed to Gallagher's. The impressive display of aged meats is enough to get your mouth watering, if you are a steak fan. Which I am not. But the husband is, so off we went. I opted for a filet mignon because it was the smallest cut on the menu. It came charred and tough. Needed two glasses of wine to wash it down, and ended up eating some of V's aged NY strip. I would have complained and asked for a different steak but with only 20 minutes before curtain, there was no time for a do-over. Expensive, and in my opinion, not worth it.
AGO at the Hard Rock Hotel
One Thanksgiving, many moons ago, V and I suffered the indignity of a hotel buffet Thanksgiving dinner in Washington DC. Even in the land of buffets, I was not about to risk another disaster. We booked a five-course prex fixe dinner at AGO at the Hard Rock Hotel. Honestly, there was no rhyme or reason to my pick of this particular restaurant. I liked that it was Italian, I suppose, and I'd never seen the inside of the Hard Rock Hotel. I also liked that at $50 per person, the meal came with wine pairings. I'm a sucker for wine pairings!
Dinner started with a glass of bubbly, then salad and a generous antipasti plate. I can never pace myself at dinner so I ended up eating it all. That and most of the bread basket. Then came some butternut squash risotto. Then a plate of both roasted organic turkey and maple pork loin. At this point, I couldn't even touch any of the sides, I was so full. Finally, there was a plate of mini desserts, including pecan pie, and Grappa to wash it down. Overall a satisfying meal at a reasonable price.
On the way out, we perused some costumes on display that were worn by famous performers. The collection included Britney Spears' school girl outfit, and the chaps ensemble Christina Aguilera wore in the "Dirrty" video.
Pho Saigon 8
The most satisfying meal of any trip, for me, tends to be the most down-to-earth ones. In Vegas, it came a steaming bowl of pho at Pho Saigon 8. Way off strip, deep in the heart of Vegas' Chinatown, I found the pho chin nam to be particularly soothing after a night of drinking. Super cheap and super good.
Jollibee and Chowking
I couldn't pass up the chance to eat at these Filipino fast food staples. At Jollibee, I had the Chickenjoy with rice and gravy, the sweet spaghetti and a peach mango pie. V had a hamburger. He said, "Which is the regular hamburger?" Meaning no weird sauces and additions (like a slice of pineapple).
At Chowking, I had arroz caldo and a small bowl of beef noodles. Yes, I was hungry and I wanted to eat everything. V had a combo plate of chicken teriyaki (or teriyucky) and spaghetti. After, we shared a halo-halo :-)
That's the food part of the trip--overall, satisfying and enjoyable. I'll post about Zumanity and Red Rock Canyon later.
Going back to the horrendous drive home, we left Vegas at noon, anticipating the crush of holiday traffic. But we weren't prepared for what actually ensued. Almost as soon as we left the Strip, we were in stop-and-go traffic. After hours of driving, we finally reached the Nevada-California stateline in Primm, a mere 40 miles away from the Strip. We finally pulled up in front of our house at 3 AM! The 500-mile drive took 15 hours! I could have flown to Japan in that same amount of time. Lesson learned: On the last day of a long holiday weekend, leave at the crack of dawn. Better yet, leave a day early.
Tired and in disbelief that we survived the long drive from hell, V & I crawled into bed thinking still that we had a great Thanksgiving getaway. Thank God for that!
That said, the Vegas trip was a success. Good food with good friends, old and new. It was relaxing too, which is a surprise considering every other time I've been in Vegas has always been a whirlwind of activities.
Getting there was easy enough. V & I drove a little over 500 miles, in about 9 hours. Hit some traffic along the way, on cursed CA 58, but that was to be expected. The drive home, on the other hand, was another level of hell. More on that later.
Got to Bally's and checked in without problems. Bally's is an older hotel, but at $59 a night for a holiday weekend, I could not pass up the deal. It's connected to the Paris Hotel next door, providing easy access to better restaurants and such, and is centrally located on the Strip, at Las Vegas Blvd. and Flamingo Road. I knew from reviews on Tripadvisor (a valuable tool for travelers) that a renovated room is a must. We were given a renovated king room in the North Tower, sacrificing a view of the Bellagio fountains. But I'll take a nice clean room over a view any day. Quick review and more pictures here.
As soon as we unloaded our bags, the eating and drinking ensued. We met with V's old friend Adam, who is now a Vegas local. First meal of the trip was dinner at Mon Ami Gabi in Paris. V had excellent steak frites (fries were more like chips, and very yummy) while I had some grilled chicken breast served with green beans. Tried their Frangria, their signature French sangria, but was not a fan.
After dinner and a quick change of clothes, we met up again at New York New York's new club, Rok. The club itself was so-so, and if I wasn't with friends, I would've been in a sour mood about waiting in line. After about 45 minutes (ugh!), we were let in. It was crowded and filled with scantily-dressed young twenty-somethings--really not my scene any more. Things got interesting when after about a half hour, some performer took the stage. It was Mya, of "Ghetto Superstar" and "Lady Marmalade" fame! Soon after her set, we called it a night. Not bad for our first few hours in town.
One more thing, if you're in New York New York, check out Nine Fine Irishmen. The band is pretty cool, and most nights, Riverdancing ensues.
Where else did we eat and drink?
Trader Vic's in Planet Hollywood
First caught a show at the upstairs LA Comedy Club. Dinner was downstairs, in the main dining room. Food was okay. I had some stir-fry lobster and a mai tai. Trader Vic has a Polynesian theme, so be prepared for a tiki-overload. Prices were fair.
Red Square in Mandalay Bay
Looking for a quiet place to sit, drink and talk, we headed to Red Square in Mandalay Bay. The room has a cool, Cold War Russia theme. They have a vodka vault, where apparently, they've stashed the frozen head of Lenin. A headless Lenin statue greets you at the restaurant's door. The drinks menu was understandably heavy on vodka and martinis. The place is quiet enough for conversation, if you can get a table at the bar area. Only diners get so sit at the booths in the dining area. Martinis went for around $15.
Gallagher's Steakhouse in New York New York
Dinner and a show is one of my favorite ways to spend an evening. With Zumanity tickets at hand, we headed to Gallagher's. The impressive display of aged meats is enough to get your mouth watering, if you are a steak fan. Which I am not. But the husband is, so off we went. I opted for a filet mignon because it was the smallest cut on the menu. It came charred and tough. Needed two glasses of wine to wash it down, and ended up eating some of V's aged NY strip. I would have complained and asked for a different steak but with only 20 minutes before curtain, there was no time for a do-over. Expensive, and in my opinion, not worth it.
AGO at the Hard Rock Hotel
One Thanksgiving, many moons ago, V and I suffered the indignity of a hotel buffet Thanksgiving dinner in Washington DC. Even in the land of buffets, I was not about to risk another disaster. We booked a five-course prex fixe dinner at AGO at the Hard Rock Hotel. Honestly, there was no rhyme or reason to my pick of this particular restaurant. I liked that it was Italian, I suppose, and I'd never seen the inside of the Hard Rock Hotel. I also liked that at $50 per person, the meal came with wine pairings. I'm a sucker for wine pairings!
Dinner started with a glass of bubbly, then salad and a generous antipasti plate. I can never pace myself at dinner so I ended up eating it all. That and most of the bread basket. Then came some butternut squash risotto. Then a plate of both roasted organic turkey and maple pork loin. At this point, I couldn't even touch any of the sides, I was so full. Finally, there was a plate of mini desserts, including pecan pie, and Grappa to wash it down. Overall a satisfying meal at a reasonable price.
On the way out, we perused some costumes on display that were worn by famous performers. The collection included Britney Spears' school girl outfit, and the chaps ensemble Christina Aguilera wore in the "Dirrty" video.
Pho Saigon 8
The most satisfying meal of any trip, for me, tends to be the most down-to-earth ones. In Vegas, it came a steaming bowl of pho at Pho Saigon 8. Way off strip, deep in the heart of Vegas' Chinatown, I found the pho chin nam to be particularly soothing after a night of drinking. Super cheap and super good.
Jollibee and Chowking
I couldn't pass up the chance to eat at these Filipino fast food staples. At Jollibee, I had the Chickenjoy with rice and gravy, the sweet spaghetti and a peach mango pie. V had a hamburger. He said, "Which is the regular hamburger?" Meaning no weird sauces and additions (like a slice of pineapple).
At Chowking, I had arroz caldo and a small bowl of beef noodles. Yes, I was hungry and I wanted to eat everything. V had a combo plate of chicken teriyaki (or teriyucky) and spaghetti. After, we shared a halo-halo :-)
That's the food part of the trip--overall, satisfying and enjoyable. I'll post about Zumanity and Red Rock Canyon later.
Going back to the horrendous drive home, we left Vegas at noon, anticipating the crush of holiday traffic. But we weren't prepared for what actually ensued. Almost as soon as we left the Strip, we were in stop-and-go traffic. After hours of driving, we finally reached the Nevada-California stateline in Primm, a mere 40 miles away from the Strip. We finally pulled up in front of our house at 3 AM! The 500-mile drive took 15 hours! I could have flown to Japan in that same amount of time. Lesson learned: On the last day of a long holiday weekend, leave at the crack of dawn. Better yet, leave a day early.
Tired and in disbelief that we survived the long drive from hell, V & I crawled into bed thinking still that we had a great Thanksgiving getaway. Thank God for that!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Loving Frank
In another life, I think I would have been an architect. In fact, that was the first thing I wanted to be when I was young. But I thought, with my utter inability to draw, that I couldn't be one. So I took another path.
As an adult, my appreciation of architecture continued to grow. And although I still can't tell a Doric column from a Corinthian one, I know a Frank Lloyd Wright building when I see one.
I don't remember when I first learned of Wright, but I remember clearly how I felt the first time I saw the Guggenheim Musuem in New York. Walking its spiral ramp, seeing artwork in that light, I thought, the man was indeed a genius.
Through books and pictures, I saw more of the man's work. A few years back, I visited my first Wright house, the Robie House, in Chicago.
Next month, I'm going to Taliesin. Wright built this dream house for his long-time lover, Mamah Cheney. While this was the place where the two of them could live in peace (they were both married to other people), it too was the site of their love's tragic end. Mamah died in Taliesin, as one of the victims of a fire set by a deranged servant. Today, it's the home of the Wright Foundation.
Do you love Frank? Re-imagine his love affair with Mamah in the historical novel "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan.
As an adult, my appreciation of architecture continued to grow. And although I still can't tell a Doric column from a Corinthian one, I know a Frank Lloyd Wright building when I see one.
I don't remember when I first learned of Wright, but I remember clearly how I felt the first time I saw the Guggenheim Musuem in New York. Walking its spiral ramp, seeing artwork in that light, I thought, the man was indeed a genius.
Through books and pictures, I saw more of the man's work. A few years back, I visited my first Wright house, the Robie House, in Chicago.
Next month, I'm going to Taliesin. Wright built this dream house for his long-time lover, Mamah Cheney. While this was the place where the two of them could live in peace (they were both married to other people), it too was the site of their love's tragic end. Mamah died in Taliesin, as one of the victims of a fire set by a deranged servant. Today, it's the home of the Wright Foundation.
Do you love Frank? Re-imagine his love affair with Mamah in the historical novel "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Rocking Thanksgiving Vegas style!
Off to Vegas today. I've got 8 hours of driving ahead of me. Yey.
I've been to Vegas countless times, but I still haven't run out of things to do. On the menu for this trip: a hike in Red Rock Canyon, a Cirque de Soliel show, Black Friday shopping at the Premium Outlets (or an attempt at it). Also, meeting up with friends old and new.
On the menu food-wise: some decent pho, Thanksgiving dinner at the Hard Rock Hotel's AGO, maybe some Jollibee or halo-halo from Chowking.
May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving, wherever you are.
I've been to Vegas countless times, but I still haven't run out of things to do. On the menu for this trip: a hike in Red Rock Canyon, a Cirque de Soliel show, Black Friday shopping at the Premium Outlets (or an attempt at it). Also, meeting up with friends old and new.
On the menu food-wise: some decent pho, Thanksgiving dinner at the Hard Rock Hotel's AGO, maybe some Jollibee or halo-halo from Chowking.
May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving, wherever you are.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Amen to that Mr. Miller
Last weekend, V & I took our dog on her first camping trip to Big Sur. We are lucky enough to live within an hour's drive of what is arguably the most striking stretch of coastline in California, wedge between the Santa Lucia mountains and the Pacific. The rugged beauty of this area--its majestic Redwoods, dramatic cliffs, and thunderous surf--have inspired many over the years, including writers like Richard Brautigan, Jack Kerouac and Henry Miller.
"It was here in Big Sur that I first learned to say 'Amen,'" Miller once wrote. "Here I will find peace. Here I shall find the strength to do the work I was made to do."
Big Sur demands several more visits, and we will be happy to oblige.
Along Hwy 1. Bad picture but it's all I took. It was overcast that entire weekend.
We stayed at the Big Sur Riverside Campgrounds and Cabin. Having originally booked a tent campsite, we switched to this cabin when we heard of the rain forecast that night and the next day. We didn't think it was worth the hassle of having to clean and dry out all out camping equipment for an overnight stay.
The cabin came with a picnic table and firepit. If you're wondering about those concrete blocks in the back, they're there to keep mud out. The campground was getting ready to close for the winter season. Because of the fires in Big Sur this past summer, there apparently is threat of a kind of mud flood over the winter, when the rain starts. Since so many trees are now gone, nothing will hold the water and mud at bay. Thus the massive concrete blocks barricading the campground buildings from the river, which is close by.
Not very pretty but the campground owners have learned from experience. Apparently, a similar situation happened a few decades ago, leaving their cabins with about 3 feet of mud inside. They wrapped the concrete blocks with plastic for additional waterproofing, I suppose.
This is the Big Sur River, which looks more like a stream now. It's about 50 feet directly in front of our cabin. This is where our dog had her first swim though I don't think she meant to jump in. Not photos of that, but the look of shock on her face was priceless.
Big Sur is dotted with state parks and beaches, including Pfeiffer Beach. We squeezed in a visit to the beach before day light ran out.
Something kinda creepy in the sand.
V & Briscoe
Beautiful, even on a cloudy day
We spent the rest of the night around a fire, making smores with Nutella. I know now, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I'm not a smores kinda girl. It was fun to try though.
Briscoe did not like the fire. Here she is staying as far away from it as she could.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Anthony Bourdain likes pig.
I am what you would consider a culinary observer. I dabble with recipes here and there but I'm hardly a player, more a bystander.
Food shows interest me. Even more so when mixed with a good dose of travel. So imagine my delight when I found out that Anthony Bourdain has just shot an episode of "No Reservations" in Cebu.
Way to reprezent, Market Manila!
But look it, it seems Tony was nervous about his visit to the P.I.
Photo: TravelChannel.com
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