I was reading Kottke’s blog and was scrolling through the comments when I found
this link by Mathew Honan about his
experience catching dengue fever. As someone
who has traveled and lived a bit in Asia, I had certainly heard of the disease. Passed by mosquitoes to humans it has a
really sweet-sounding nickname: breaking bone disease. Why is it
called that? Because when you catch it, you feel as if you’re bones are breaking inside your body. Fun, huh? Well, what
started out as a wee bit of back pain for Honan and his girlfriend (were they bitten by the same b*stard…wait, that
can’t be right…all biting mosquitoes are females…scratch that, let’s call her a b*tch mosquito?) turned into a headache
and then days of pain that his girlfriend described as “having someone scrape your bones with a knife”. The story ends
well. He lived, after all. But it serves as a fine reminder of the dangers that all travelers to regions like SE Asia
face, and how you should take every precaution (DEET DEET DEET) to avoid catching nasty bugs overseas.
Africa Kosher Safaris
A couple years back when I was working on a Linkin Park music
video I managed to land the P.A. position that gets to tend to the talent. Exciting to most, but
after working with high profile musicians for awhile the buzz tends to fade and you just pray they’ll be easy
to handle. Fortunately all the guys in the band were pretty easy to accommodate until I was asked to
find Kosher foods nearby and quick! Huh? I don’t eat Kosher foods. I don’t know where to get them. Being in a city
like Los Angeles the streets are drenched with an assortment of restaurants specializing in these foods, but the studio
we were shooting in was surrounded by Mexican and Korean restaurants. If I didn’t find that food I was going
to be hung alive by the Producers and such, but to make a long story short I just let the guy starve and go without his
Kosher goodies. Kidding, but being resourceful I found something that seemed sort of delicious and made the
Kosher checklist. Everyone was happy.
In preparation of my next run-in with the stars or anyone who requests Kosher foods while being on, let’s
an African safari I’ve found this site. Africa Kosher Safari’s
has tours in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Worrying about your diet and meal preparation won’t be a problem
while you check out all of Africa’s big game. Their FAQ page answers
most questions about fully catered (tours accompanied by a masgiach trained by the local Beth Din) and semi
catered cuisine ( B.Y.O.H. or Bring Your Own Hashgocha and prepare your dinner with the non-Jewish chef trained in
kashrut). Hopefully this helps someone out there or gets you pointed in the right direction.
Ski the (other) Continent
It is a question that has vexed the jetsetting rich and famous for generations: where should I ski in Europe? Oh,
my, such a hard question, what with all the opportunities. I mean, perhaps we might also stay at the villa on Mykonos.
Life can be so hard.
We are here to make things easier. Those planning winter ski vacations in Europe, who are not astounded by sticker
shock on the continent (I recently heard a sad tale of woe about a $4 croissant) might be interested in
this story at the Chicago Trib that takes a look at Europe’s finest ski areas. A few of the places mentioned are:
Verbier, Switzerland; St. Anton, Austria; Kitzbuhel, Austria; and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in Germany’s Bavarian Alps.
All allegedly great spots that I confess I know almost nothing about.
The fact is skiing in Europe is a lot like skiing in America, except things are more expensive, the food is better,
and people talk funny.
Light My Fire Spork
I find myself continually fixated by obscure utensils designed for
easy eatin’ on the go. First the spork, then the fabulous
chorks, now the three-in-one ultimate sporkoonife? Or is
it forkoonife? Call it whatever strikes your fancy…but don’t you want one of these?
The folks at Backpacking Light introduce us to the
Light
My Fire Spork, the fork-spoon-knife trifecta of cutlery. This “multi-use ultra light utensil” comes
straight from the Swedes, an innovative design that’s durable,
machine-washable and comes in four primary colors too, stylish and so easy to find while cooking ’round the
campfire. Non-member price at Backpacking Light is $3.99, a buck cheaper if you are a subscriber.
Light My Fire also sells a full outdoor meal kit,
with their one-of-a-kind spork, and spill-free cup.
Global distributors can be found here.
Hawaii Dispatch: 5 Last Call for Souvenirs
Time flew by incredibly too fast. It’s only a matter of hours between my typing this dispatch and
boarding my plane back to the mainland. It’ safe for me to say I’m happy to have come back,
but I’m happy to go back home as well. Having lived in Hawaii before, reliving some experiences came with
mixed moods and creating new ones just the same. This being my last day around the island I decided not
to exert all my energy trying to make it to my missed hiked or anywhere too far from home. Plus, I had a list of
souvenirs I had to pick up for friends and family back home. My stops included Chinatown,
Ala Moana Mall, Aiea Mall, and the shops around the North Shore. I had
something special in mind for everyone which is why I had to go to so many different shopping malls and plazas. I
think they’ll be delighted at their small piece of Aloha. Now I’ve got to find ways to re-pack all this stuff.
Wish me luck.