America’s Most Endangered Historic Places

by Adrienne Wilson on

Here’s something to pay attention to if you were in a dark closet on Pluto or had absolutely no
clue, the
National Trust for Historic Preservation
puts out this list every year of some of America’s most endangered historic spots.  Of course the best thing to do
is take action if we don’t want the little pieces of the past to crumble away into the modern world, but if taking
action requires too much energy then take a vacation.  That’s right.  This may be the only chance you’ll get
to see some of the cool sites like, Nine Mile
Canyon in Utah. 

Often referred to as, “the world’s longest art gallery,”  the canyon has more than 10,000 images carved into
it’s walls by Native Americans.  It has been on the endangered list for sometime as certain folks who lack
interest in the doodles on the walls would rather make it an industrial zone.  This is only one of America’s great
bits of history on the brink of extinction. You can find about other sites and how to get involved at the
National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

Ethics: Visiting an “Outpost of Tyranny”

by Erik Olsen on

What an interesting question is asked in this
article in the Christian Science Monitor: is it ethical to visit places that are rife with corruption, human rights
abuses and are just generally have a whiff of evil about them?

For example, what about taking a trip to a place like Zimbabwe, where strongman-President Robert Mugabe has encouraged
the takeover of white-owned farms, closed independent newspapers, and restricted political opposition. Just today
he’s in the news about the
widespread election fraud that has tainted the recent elections there. Is this a place you should be spending your
dollars? Supporting an economy that supports someone like Mugabe (quick aside: is it just me, or every time you hear
Mugabe you think of Will Ferrell in Zoolander?) is hardly the best way to show you care about what’s happening in parts
of the world.

Or, as a person quoted in the article says, “From the ground level, you’re supporting individuals who have done
nothing wrong.”

Interesting question indeed.

At Home Abroad

by Erik Olsen on

For any gadlingites living overseas – AKA expats – you might be
interested in a mini site at the International Herald Tribune dedicated to all things
expat. 

There are articles on how to prepare for taking off, how to prepare for repatriation, and one about
finding a psychologist (should you need one)
in Paris. It’s not the most in depth site in the world, but it’s handy. For better ones, you might check out the
State Departmment’s page on expat sites. 

40 Best Vacations

by Erik Olsen on

Not sure how many of these I agree with (Philly?!), but there are some goodies here.

Budget Travel has listed the 40 best bargain vacations for
all of us penny pinching vagabonds. Let’s just take a quck look, shall we?

So many of the mainstays are here…Vegas, Cancun, Prague, London…but there are a couple of recs that you might not
have considered: Malta, Budapest, Curacao (great diving) and the Dominican Republic. Again, this stuff may be too tame
for you, but it is vacation planning time, and it couldn’t hurt just to take a look.

Hot, Hip, Hotel Helix

by Adrienne Wilson on

I’m not quite sure if the Hotel Helix is going to blend
real good with your cozy little stroll through the city looking for cherry blossoms.  One minute you’re
surrounded by the beauty of the inner city painted with years of history and the next your in an extremely hip and
happening hotel. Plain upbeat, funky, and colorful proves that a hotel can take you to a whole nother place.  So
my first recommendation is save this little jewel for your next trip to Washington D.C.

The contemporary boutique Hotel Helix located in downtown D.C., caught my eye for many reasons.  It’s
loud, fashionable, and comes off as a place where all traveling trend-setters want to be.  All rooms and suites
include complimentary high-speed Internet access, Sony WEGA flat screen TV’s, mini bar’s, and Aveda bath amenities to
name a few.  Which Aveda bath amenities will always win me over.