Guide to New Haven: The Omni Hotel (and logistics)

by Jerry Guo on

The Omni Hotel in downtown New Haven is a classic Ivy-League retreat, complete with the Mahogany panelling. Catering to an older and more affluent crowd (aka the parents of Yalies), the hotel offers the best rooms and service in town. And it’s hard to beat the 19th-floor rooftop restaurant.

It’s been a fixture in New Haven for almost a century, has plenty going for it. There’s the four-diamond rating, the old-school décor that just exudes of wealth and power, and the impeccable service. Be sure to reserve a room with a king bed-these have the best views (see picture). Of course, the greatest hook to the Omni is its location.

You’re practically on top of the Green, with countless restaurants around you and Yale’s campus a block away. The only downside major downside is price ($200 / $300 s/d). The food could be better for a hotel of this quality, but it’s hard to complain when the staff sends up complimentary cheese and wine with your luggage.

Just across the street is the award-winning Shubert Theatre, which is well known for its Shakespeare plays. The Criterion movie theatre further down the street hosts delightful independent films. Then come back for a nightcap and smoke at the Owl Shop cigar shop next door.

For more information on New Haven:

  • BOOKSHOPS–Barnes & Noble Yale Bookstore ( 777 8440; 77 Broadway) A two-floor operation, with café in the back and textbooks-galore in the basement. Labyrinth Bookstore down the street makes for a more intimate experience.
  • EMERGENCY–Police ( 946 6316; 1 Union Ave)
  • INTERNET ACCESS–Computer CrackaJacks ( 260 493 0406; 328 Broadway) $6 an hour.
  • MEDICAL SERVICES–Yale-New Haven Hospital ( 688 4242; 20 York St)
  • MONEY–Plenty of ATMs downtown. There is a Bank of America ( 866 826 8989; 789 Howard Ave) branch on Temple St near city hall.
  • POST–US Post Service ( 773 3454; 206 Elm St)
  • TOURIST INFORMATION–Greater New Haven Convention and Visitors Bureau ( 777 8550; 169 Orange St; Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun and bank holidays 11am-4pm). An impressive office that will help you track down almost anything you’ll need or desire.

Guide to New Haven:

Sweater Day to honor Mr. Rogers (and Pittsburgh)

by Jamie Rhein on

You have seven days left to put on your favorite sweater. To be really Mr. Rogers like, although it’s not necessary, choose a cardigan. March 20 is being deemed “Sweater Day” to honor Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood fame. The show was filmed in Pittsburgh and March 20th would have been Mr. Rogers 80th birthday. Sweater Day is part of a six day (March 15-20th), “Won’t You Be My Neighbor Days” a promotional event for Pittsburgh’s 250th birthday year celebration. Here is the link to the events page.

People around the world can participate in Sweater Day and are invited to send photos or a video of themselves wearing a sweater to neighbordays@fci.org

Here’s a YouTube video of Mr. McFeeley from the show explaining what Sweater Day is. As a person who loved Mr. Rogers as a child, this is one event I’m all about. So spread some good cheer and get out that sweater.

Don’t like red sweaters? How about Japanese fashion?

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Guide to New Haven: The scoop on secret societies (plus getting around)

by Jerry Guo on

It’s the real life version of the Priory of Sion, the secret organization in Dan Brown’s bestseller Da Vinci Code. Skulls & Bones, Yale’s oldest and most prestigious secret society-reserved only for a select fifteen lucky members of the senior class-boasts such alums like both Bush presidents, William Buckley Jr., and John Kerry.

They are also the only society with their own private island (on the St. Lawrence River between New York and Ontario). Many believe that the society is a “feeder organization” for America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In fact, the term “spook,” nomenclature for a spy, originated on Yale’s campus as a nickname for the secret society taps.

Each of Yale’s dozen or so societies has a tomb where the twice-weekly gatherings-and decadent parties-take place. These tombs are easy to miss, even though they are quite a sight. Most are several stories high, supported by Greek columns, and have absolutely no windows. The gardens and interior are obviously off-limits to visitors, but you’re free to walk around outside their gates. Skulls is at 64 High St. Scroll and Key (444 College St), Berzelius (78 Trumbull St), and Wolf’s Head (214 York St) are also worth a visit.

Getting There

AIR
The closest airport is New Haven-Tweed (NHV; 466-8833), which is a few miles outside town. Hartford International Airport is an hour away in the state capital. New York area airports are two hours away.

BUS
Greyhound ( 1800 231 2222) The largest national bus network; the bus station is just to the right of the train station. Another bus carrier is Peter Pan Bus Lines (( 1800 343 9999), though both companies operate many of the same routes for almost identical costs.

Destination Fare Duration Frequency (per day)
Hartford $15 1hr 6
New York $20 2hr 10
Boston $30 3hr 6
Philadelphia $40 3hr 4
Wash. DC $55 6hr 2

TRAIN
The train station is a twenty-minute walk southeast of town, or an $8 taxi ride from downtown. Trains go to New York ($15 for commuter, $40 for Amtrak; hourly), Boston ($50 on Amtrak, every 2-3 hours), Washington DC ($70 on Amtrak, every 2-3 hours), and countless other destinations in New England.

Getting Around

TO/FROM AIRPORT

  • SHUTTLE–Connecticut Limo (1800 472 LIMO) This shuttle service will take you to Hartford ($40, by appointment) and all New York area airports ($60, by appointment)
  • BUS–CT Transit (1800 704 4114) New Haven’s public bus will take you to Tweed Airport for $2. Expect a long wait.
  • TAXI–Taxis will take you between the airport and downtown for roughly $15.

AROUND TOWN
This is a very walking-friendly, especially because of all the students at Yale University, and unfortunately, the constant construction-which forces traffic to slow down. The downtown district has a distinct residential feel.

  • BUS–CT Transit (1800 704 4114) New Haven’s public bus will take you almost anywhere in the greater metropolitan area for $2.
  • TAXI–It’s almost impossible to find a taxi to flag down in town. Best bet is to call the taxi service (777 7777) to schedule a pick-up. $5 and up.

Guide to New Haven:

Unique gift souvenir: kangaroo scrotum bottle opener

by Abha Malpani on

In 2007, over 3.6 million kangaroos were available for harvest in Australia. What does that mean? There are enough dead kangaroo testicles available to make ‘kangaroo scrotum bottle openers‘ an authentic and valid souvenir from Down Under.

Although kangaroo is a subject of protection under the Australian Government, the animals need to be constantly harvested to control numbers, thanks to its prolific affinity to reproduce.

I lived in Australia for three years where, after eating kangaroo tail, buffalo sausages and crocodile cutlets, I thought I’d seen and done most things authentically Ozzie. Kangaroo scrotum never came into the picture though. Bummer.

Having said that, I’m not sure how I’d feel holding on to kangaroo testicles to open a bottle (what do they stuff them with?), but I would certainly NEVER forget the person who gave it to me. They are available mostly in grey, brown and white, and $25 is not a bad price for something as “special” as this.
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[Via Vagabondish]

Will single women ever be able to travel to Saudi Arabia?

by Abha Malpani on

It annoys me to think that I will probably never be able to go to Saudi Arabia unless I marry an Arab. Saudi Arabia is not on my priority list of places to visit, but other than the Levant (Jordan, Syria, Lebanon), it’s the country that calls my attention the most.

Having lived in Dubai for about 8 years, I’m familiar with both the wild and the discreet nature of Arab culture — but I still think Saudi Arabia would blast buttons of culture shock if I ever visited, which is exactly why I’d like to go! I have some local friends in the country; one of them is a DJ and is known to host the hottest underground parties in Jeddah. Basis what is portrayed about the country, I found this unfathomable.

To add to the contradictions of Saudi Arabia: one minute I read that the country has banned red roses for Valentine’s Day, the next I read in Time Magazine that controversial book Girls of Riyadh, is now being allowed free distribution in the country. The book talks about the romantic intrigues of four young girls in one of the most closed societies in the world — it exposes typical intimate family matters including arranged marriages and even sex.

According to the author (Rajaa Alsanea) in Time Magazine: “We have a Minister of Culture who believes that such controversial books should be permitted in the society to allow for a healthy dialog of change by the young generation.” She also says that the Internet has allowed the exchange of communication between youth in Saudi Arabia and has opened a perspective on a world that the older generation has never been exposed to.

I think that government support of this book alongside the other recent development of Saudi Arabia planning to lift the ban on driving for women, are baby steps towards creating a new realm of possibilities for the development of women and the opening of the society in the country.

Maybe one day (in my lifetime!) they will be open enough to allow single women to travel there!?