One for the Road: Foot Odor: A History

by Erik Olsen on

From the same people who have brought you volumes about single topic esoterica, comes the newest, perhaps most important book: Foot Odor: The Complete History.

Author Mark Sarklansky, whose books about Flour and Glue revealed the untold stories of these common products, has really outdone himself here with a mesmerizing account of where foot odor came from and its impact on world history.

Did you know that the course of the American Civil War was changed by the smell of a man’s feet. Yes, it was General George Pickett who was stuck in a poorly-ventilated tent with one of his young Lieutenants, a fresh-faced Georgian named Nord Glaspie, whose foot odor was notoriously noxious. Pickett, who was drawing up plans for the next day’s battle, which was supposed to involve a patient assault on the rear guard of the Union forces, apparently was so overcome by Glaspie’s foot odor, that he ran from the tent, eyes watering as he screamed, “Oh for goodness sakes, just rush the bastards!”

Then there is the story of the Titanic and the watchman who made a quick run to his cabin to replace his odor eaters (made from ground up charcoal briquettes and placed in gopher skin in those days), thereby missing the approaching iceberg which…well, you know the rest of the story.

Yes, this is history at its finest, and a deep, long look at foot odor and its historical impact has long been missing from the bookshelves.

Springtime in Pangaea

by Neil Woodburn on

Pangaea is one of the more difficult places to reach on this planet, but also one of the most rewarding. I was therefore pleased to discover that Old World Travels has just announced a two-week tour of this fascinating region which leaves later this month. An April trip is perfect timing because springtime in Pangaea is indeed wonderful. Plants and animals are slowly blossoming to life and every day seems so very fresh and new. I’ve never been myself, but this is indeed the Old Country from where my ancestors, in one form or another, originally heralded.

Although Pangaean accommodations tend to be on the primitive side and the local water a little soupy in the primordial sense (don’t drink it!), the tour promises to be amazing. The first three days will be spent in rugged mountain ranges so magnificent and dynamic that they almost seem to be alive and moving. The enormous Tethys Sea, Pangaea’s largest inland body of water, will be the next stop and one that will yield fantastic varieties of very large fish. Lastly, the tour will make its way overland to the scenic Panthalassa Ocean where sure-footed fish dash across pristine obsidian beaches that look as though they were created only yesterday.

As is always the case, pack in what you pack out, and for God’s sake, don’t step on any butterflies; a sound of thunder is never a good way to end a vacation.

Nepalese Plan Everescalator

by Erik Olsen on

Here’s an odd one: The Nepalese government wants to make it easier, much easier, for people to climb towering Mount Everest . Turns out they are planning to build a working, electric escalator that will carry people from base camp to the summit in less than an hour. The engineering effort is being put in the hands of the Japanese, in a serious political snub to the Chinese who had also bid on the project. The proposed escalator will be approximately fifteen miles long and will rise and fall with the jagged gradations of the mountain. It will move approximately five miles an hour and will offer superb views of the surrounding Himalayas . There will be rest stops, as well, built into the structure, that will allow riders to stop for tea or snacks. For children who grow easily bored by gaping mountain vistas, they are planning to offer portable DVD players and a wide selection of films.

Right now, only a handful of people scale the 29,035 foot peak each year, and the government wants to change that. Those who summit today have to pay exorbitant peak fees, approximately $50,000 per climber. But with the construction of an escalator to the top of the mountain, the fee will be reduced to about $1000 per “escalatee”. The Everescalator is scheduled for completion in February 2010.

Hunter Gatherer Parks

by Erik Olsen on

If you enjoy the outdoors and getting back to nature, you’re going to be downright feral over one of the hottest new trends in adventure travel. Forget expensive Gortex and metal ice axes, we’re talking pre-bronze age here. Yes, everyone is abuzz about the new hunter-gatherer parks that are sprouting up around the country, as well as in other parts of the world.

The brainchild of eminent anthropologist Dr. Therberd Melsius, whose study of the “Glack” people of the Amazon resulted in the Pulitzer prize-winning book: “Back with the Glack”, Hunter Gatherer Parks (or HunGaths) are attracting adventure-minded types who are tired of all the fanciness and frippery that go along with most adventure sports.

The HunGath concept is simple: men hunt and women gather. See? What could be easier? Couples sign up and are issued loose-fitting loin cloths (made by Northface) and then are set free to roam in a big open space. The women are provided with short sticks with which they will dig in the ground for grubs and tubers.

Then men are offered either spears or slings, and set out for up to six days to track buffalo, antelope and deer that have been “seeded” throughout the park. The exercise, say those who have HunGathed, builds community spirit and teaches you essential skills, like how to most efficiently scrape meat from the carcass of a dead animal and how to build a fire out of rocks.

These HunGath parks are proving very popular among professional Red State couples who see in it the opportunity to get “back to basics” and where “traditional family values” really take center stage. But the fact is HunGaths are a good time for everyone, offering you the chance to experience the outdoors the way your forbears did.

Tripoli International Fair

by Adrienne Wilson on

When I think about the
word ‘fair’ images of pig racing competitions, hay stacks, funnel cakes, shaky half-constructed Ferris wheels,
baby strollers and big hair all seem to flood my mind. Every year I’ve ever been to a fair be it here in Florida or out
west in California there’s always big hair, but then again I don’t stick around too long. I go in, get my days worth of
the most greasiest and most sugar coated eats and get out. Enough about the less than fab fairs I’ve been to here in the
states, I’d like to now direct your attention to the Tripoli
International Fair in Libya.

Why? Well for the few lucky ones anywhere near or around Tripoli April 6-12, 2006 I’m certain you’ll want to check the
event out. The fair is an international, industrial, agricultural and commercial event with about 30 countries in
attendance. Of cultural interest there are many festivals tucked within the one huge event, many which include Libyan
folklore bands and bands from all over for world music lovers. I haven’t a clue about the entire line-up of shows, but
if you really find yourself in the country during this time be sure to check out Luna Angel (a highly talented reggae artist out of Oakland).

And a fair wouldn’t be a fair without a lil’ something for the kiddies so if you’re traveling with children count on
the ‘funfair’ to keep them entertained. (I know funfair sounds rather vague, but that’s all they’re giving me
on this site.) Overall Libya and ‘fair’ just seem too incredibly
cool for any traveler to miss.