Travel tips

My two latest finds:

1. I am forever trying to find the perfect travel shoe. My criteria: comfortable enough to walk all day in it, but not a true athletic shoe because that screams "American tourist" wherever I go. I may have found it. I recently bought a pair of converse low tops, and I was concerned they may not work for my semi-flat feet, but they are actually super comfortable. I wore them on a longish walk last night, plus most of the day for some errands, plus the day before while I toured a local garden, and I could keep walking and walking and walking in those shoes. I can't wait to try them on an actual trip. 

They retail for about $65. They only come in whole sizes so if you're a half size (like me), go down to the next lowest whole size.

2. On a recent trip, I saw a woman clip her water bottle to the magazine pocket in the seat back in front of her. I was dumbfounded - so genius! The water bottle never has a place to go. It never fits in my bag, I never have a place for it once on the plane, it's so annoying. Plus I hate spending $4 a bottle on airport water but didn't want to take a reusable bottle because mine aren't designed to be thrown in a bag and sweat and can leak if you don't keep them upright. 

So last night at Target I bought this 20oz bottle by CamelBak for $24.99. It's designed to be leak proof, and keep cold things cold for up to 24 hours (but says it's not meant for hot beverages, which I don't really understand). And did I mention it also shouldn't sweat, which will be great for when I do put it in my bag.

The best part is that I attached a carabiner ($3.99 for a package of two) to the handle so now I can clip it to my carry on bag (ANY carry on bag) and to the magazine pocket on the plane to have it handy! 

I can't wait to try this one, too!

Providence

Yesterday, I drove an hour and a half to the Roger Williams Park Zoo, in Providence, RI. The zoo was terrific. It's a really nice facility with beautiful exhibits, friendly staff, and good signage (as a former visitors services professional at a zoo, I notice things like that).

After my wanderings at the zoo, I figured that since I was already there, I should check out downtown Providence, despite my tired legs. I drove to the center of town and found a pretty decent parking space in the arts district. Score! I thought.

Except, not so much.

I have to say, while I wasn't there long and while I am sure there are plenty of places in that town worth wandering, it didn't grab me.

At a glance, the downtown area looked really pretty, with lots of brick buildings and traditional New England architecture. But the more I walked through the arts district, the more I noticed that for every open shop, there were at least two empty storefronts. For every interesting art student who walked by carrying a portfolio, there were at least two random men sitting on the sidewalk, hollering across the street at any woman who walked by.

"Hey, pretty lady, I really like those shoes! Those sandals! You chose your shoes well!" And he just kept going, shouting to this woman as she just tried to walk down the street in peace.

One man actually walked up to me and snapped in my face to get my attention. "Miss. MISS. Can I ask you a question?" Ugh, no.

It got to the point where I realized I was walking around with a scowl on my face as a defensive mechanism. Don't look friendly and open because then you get harassed.

I found one cute shop, where going in to browse was like a reprieve. The owner was friendly and she and another customer and I chatted a bit about the art she was selling. I found a nice enough used bookstore, with "nice" referring to the selection though not the prices (which were often full price, seemingly in violation of the unspoken yet universally known Used Bookstore Code of Marking Down Prices), nor to the salesman who did not so much as look up once the entire time I was in the store, even when I stood at the counter right in front of him.

You have a lot to learn about being welcoming, Providence.

Florida

Today is my last day in Florida. I always love coming to visit because my dear friend and I have a rhythm. On day one we stopped at a bookstore and throughout the weekend have much downtown for reading. It's lovely. We will visit the pool. Eat something yummy. Visit a nature center or go on a nature walk. Maybe find some art. And I do love the Florida sun.

"Please spread out"

There are 137 seats and only 53 passengers. The crew said that for balance reasons, no more than 37 people can sit in the front ten rows, so please spread out. 

"You'll probably never hear this request again, folks but unless you're traveling with someone, please sit in an empty row."

Boarding took hardly any time at all. 

Bonus: it's a brand new plane! Everything is shiny and new. The seats have adjustable headrests and everything. Fancy. 

Hello, 4am!

I haven't gotten up at 4am in a long time. I did today because I took advantage of living two miles from the airport and booked a 5:30am flight. Normally, I hate the very early flights because you have to get up so early you end exhausted all day, which cancels out any jump on the day you got by the early departure. But since I could leave my house st 4:20 and be standing at my gate by 4:45 (thanks, TSA pre check!) giving me ample time to use the rest room, buy a bottle of water, and write this blog post before boarding even starts, I figured I would do it. 

People are either much friendlier or much grumpier at this hour. Random strangers offer a cheerful "good morning!" As they walk by on their way alongside you to the terminal. People move through security with a zombie-like demeanor. I overhear chatter about needing a nap later by others waiting at the gate. We're all in this together at 4am! 

When I bought a bottle of water, the checkout guy was very cheerful. "Good morning, young lady, how are you?" I said I am fabulous, I said. I grabbed my water and headed to the checkout. He glanced down and said, "young lady, those are some funky shoes." 

I said "thank you!" I just bought these shoes to replace a beloved pair that finally started falling apart, after a good ten years or so. (Keens. Check them out.) 

He rang me up and said "young lady with the funky shoes, you have safe travels and a wonderful holiday weekend." 

Thank you, kind sir. I certainly will.