Study Reveals Most Contaminated Surfaces In Hotel Rooms

by Jessica Festa on

You may never be able to relax in a hotel room again – not without a lot of antibacterial, anyway. A new study done by the University of Houston, with help from Purdue University and the University of South Carolina, looked into what surface areas in hotel rooms were most contaminated. Their hope was to identify “high-risk items,” to help hotels figure out where to spend the most time cleaning.

While certain obvious items made the list, like the bathroom sink and toilet, less apparent surfaces were also indicated, like the bedside lamp switch. The TV remote was the biggest culprit, while the bed’s headboard, the bathroom door handle and curtain rods were found to have the least amount of bacteria.

“Hoteliers have an obligation to provide their guests with a safe and secure environment,” explains Katie Kirsch, an undergraduate student at the University of Houston who presented the study. “Currently, housekeeping practices vary across brands and properties with little or no standardization industry wide.”

Apparently, the current method used to validate hotel room cleanliness is a simple visual assessment; however, this has been shown to be ineffective. Hopefully, this study will begin pushing hotels to up their sanitation efforts.

[image via counselman collection]

Blowfish Poisoning Suspected As Cause Of Canadian Sisters’ Deaths In Thailand

by Jessica Festa on

In a recent tragedy, two Canadian sisters were found dead in their hotel room on the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand. Discovered on June 15 by the Phi Phi Palm Residence Hotel’s maid, Audrey and Noemi Belanger, 20 and 26, are suspected to have died from severe food poisoning, most likely from blowfish or poisonous mushrooms.

“There was a lot of vomit in the room, and both bodies showed similar signs [of trauma],” explained Lieutenant Col Rat Somboon of the Krabi Provincial Police. “They had skin lesions and it seemed that they had bled from the gums. Also, their fingernails and toenails were blue.”

While officials did not find any signs of foul play, they did notice various over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen, which can have serious effects on the stomach. Moreover, blowfish, which is extremely toxic if not prepared correctly, can cause death within an hour and a half of eating. In fact, blowfish poison is about 100 times more lethal than potassium cyanide.

At this time, the bodies are undergoing post-mortem examinations in Bangkok to check for traces of poisonous substances.

[image via Monochrome]

A Budget-Friendly Wellness Retreat In Ecuador’s ‘Valley of Longevity’

by Jessica Festa on

As soon as you step off the bus into Vilcabamba in Ecuador, you’ll be amazed at how rural and small the town feels. Surrounded by the Andes Mountains and lush valleys, Vilcabamba is a tranquil place where you go to clear your mind and get away. Upon closer inspection, however, you’ll realize that many others had the same idea – but never left.

Valley Of Longevity

Vilcabamba is known as the “Valley of Longevity.” It is said that it’s common for residents to live past 100 years old, sometimes even over 120. That’s why, while the town may seem like an off-the-beaten-path locale where nobody would speak English, a lot do. In fact, many people who live in Vilcabamba are backpackers and senior citizens who’ve come to reap the benefits of the healthy region. And for travelers who enjoy nature and holistic healing but don’t want to spend a lot of money on a retreat, Vilcabamba can provide a worthwhile experience for even the most frugal visitor.

There are various theories as to why people in Vilcabamba live so long. One thought is the lifestyle of the people. Locals in Vilcabamba stay active until they die, as they live off the land. Moreover, the fruits and vegetables from the area are high in anti-oxidants, and all foods are eaten fresh. Walking through the region, you’ll find an abundance of berries, apples, oranges, avocados, potatoes, rice and other nutritious foods. There is also the drinkable mineral water that flows from up in the mountains, and contains curative properties like preventing clogged arteries. Other factors like a laid-back culture, pure air, easy access to natural medicines and consistently good weather that doesn’t stress the body are also said to help people live a long life of wellness.No matter what the reason, the area is a great place to take a healthy and budget-friendly retreat.

Hosteria Izhcayluma

Most travelers, both young and old, stay at Hosteria Izhcayluma. It offers rustic, incense-scented dorms for $10 a night for backpackers, as well as cabanas and private rooms from $25 to $56 for more upscale travelers. Furthermore, the property is set among colorful gardens and lush vegetation, even providing leisurely hikes onsite. An inclusive and nutritious breakfast buffet, expansive pool and luxurious, yet affordable, spa add to the feeling you’re doing something good for yourself. For example, I purchased a 90-minute spa package that included a hair treatment, facial and reiki session for $24. Moreover, I loved enjoying fresh fruit and whole-grain bread in the morning in the hotel’s mountainside restaurant, which provided excellent Andes and cloud forest views. Cabs from here into the town center are $1.

Hiking

Vilcabamba has numerous options for hiking, and visitors will be able to do short two-hour hikes or full-day excursions for eight hours. One easy but beautiful trek you can try is the “Chaupi Loop,” which provides sweeping views of the Vilcabamba River and Chaupi Valley. Likewise, halfway through the hike you pass through the Chaupi Village where you’ll get the chance to interact with locals.

You can access the trailhead a mile downhill from Hosteria Izhcayluma, right after you pass the small village of Los Huilcos. Veer left on the dirt road to follow a small canal of water. You’ll take this for a while, and when the dirt road ends, continue following the canal until you get to an iron gate on your left. Here, you’ll turn right down a wide path. Pass a dirt road and small bus station on your left, cross the dirt road and continue straight down to cross a footbridge over the river. After you pass Chaupi Village, follow the dirt road back to the paved road. Then turn right, over a concrete bridge and through the “entrance gate of Vilcabamba” to end in the town center.

There’s also a really interesting “Forgotten Road Trail.” This hike lasts about eight hours and takes you through the once-main road connecting two villages. The road collapsed over a decade ago, and is now only accessible by walking. It begins in a riverbed, ascending after one hour to offer excellent views of the Quinara Valley. The highlight of the trek, however, is passing through Tumianuma Village, an area rarely visited by tourists. Here, you’ll also be able to swim in the Piscobamba River. You can access the riverbed trailhead by veering left before the rock quarry, located downhill from Hosteria Izhcayluma.

For those who love bird watching and are interested in exploring the cloud forest, Podocarpus National Park offers numerous hikes, from 30-minutes to longer two-day treks. It’s $10 to enter, and costs $15 each way by taxi.

Other hikes include the Mandango Loop, the San Jose Trail, the Waterfall Hike and the Rumi Wilco Nature Reserve. The hotel can give you maps and instructions for each. All are worthwhile; however, proceed with caution during the Mandango Loop and try to go with a big group or guide. There have been incidents of robbery in this area.

By Horse And Bike

Horseback riding is extremely popular here, as is riding bikes. Walking around the town center, you’ll see numerous agencies offering rides and grooming their horses. You’ll be able to ride over cliffs, through valleys and to majestic waterfalls. Basically any destination you have in mind will be possible to visit on horseback or bike.

Meditation, Yoga And Beauty

Walk around the town center, and you’ll see numerous message boards advertising yoga, meditation and other holistic experiences. Along with Hosteria Izhcayluma for spa treatments and reiki, there’s a place in the town square right next to the popular Natural Yogurt Cafe that offers very cheap beauty and spa treatments, mostly for under $7. Moreover, Madre Tierra Resort and Spa offers an eco-friendly approach to wellness and often advertises specials and events on the town’s message boards.

For Yoga, head to the Community Cultural Center on the corner of Agua de Hierro and La Paz streets. Here you’ll be able to choose from an array of levels, and take a two-hour class for just $3. Furthermore, the Lunar Loft, also known as Acahai’s Place, offers yoga classes for $5. And if you’re in town this August, there will be a yoga retreat with hiking and other wellness activities.

If you’re looking to enjoy some meditation, there is a center on the edge of town called the Centro de Meditacion (CMV). It’s a bi-lingual Buddhist meditation center, and most classes are in English unless someone needs help in Spanish. Moreover, Chakana Gallery often hosts meditation workshops for a small fee. You can email greenberg.cj@gmail.com to find out more information.

Food

Even around the main square of town, much of the food in Vilcabamba is cheap. I ate at a place right in the square called “La Esquina,” and for $2 at lunchtime you can get a tall glass of pineapple juice, a hearty bowl of chicken and bean soup and a heaping plate of rice and chicken, among other entree options. There are also some excellent organic and juice bar options, such as Natural Yogurt Cafe. While you can get yogurt and refreshing treats here, they also sell meal-type food. I recommend trying one of their sweet or savory crepes, most for under $3. For a truly healthy dining experience, you should also checkout Madre Tierra Eco Resort, where you can eat gourmet organic meals while lounging among fruit trees and staring off into the Andes.

Andean Medicine

As Vilcabamba was once thought to be a place where Incan royalty went to relax, one unique activity you may be interested in trying is being lead into the mountains to participate in an Andean medicine ceremony. There is a local named Santiago, who has studied the topic and takes people up into the mountains for spiritual, holistic healing. You can go to him if you’re sick, or simply if there’s something in your life you wish to make better. To find him, visit the turquoise “joyeria” in the main square (shown right), next to Sambuca Cafe. Just note that many times when “Andean” or “traditional” medicine ceremonies are offered, there is often Peyote-like cactus concoctions involved. This is definitely not for everyone, and if you try it, be prepared for intense and often undesirable reactions and hallucinations.

Relaxing At The World’s Highest Beer Spa In La Paz, Bolivia

by Jessica Festa on

At 11,975 feet above sea level, the city of La Paz in Bolivia is pretty high. In fact, it is the highest “de facto” capital city in the world. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to experience some kind of reaction to the altitude. To help your body relax, backpackers can enjoy the world’s highest beer spa at The Adventure Brew Hostel.

This hostel has many opportunities for experiencing Bolivia’s beer culture. Along with having their own on-site microbrewery, giving guests a free beer each night and featuring a rooftop lounge, their beer spa allows for a unique outdoor experience.

“The beer spa came as an idea some six years ago. It was the result of having lots of leftover beer from Sayabeer brewery,” explains Remo Baptista, creator of the beer venue. “We built two old hot tubs with brick chimneys – we can heat the water with wood under it – filled it with 20 liters of beer plus water and voilà!”Weeks on the road can be draining, and spa-goers can relax while sipping on ice-cold brews. For those who are skeptical if this is just a gimmick or if it’s actually healthy, studies have shown beer can treat everything from acne and dry hair to cancer and ulcers.

The service is free of charge, as long as you purchase a jug of beer at the beer spa.

Museum Month: Mütter Museum In Philadelphia

by Libby Zay on

The Mütter Museum is not for the squeamish. Brimming with medical oddities, pathological specimens and antique medical equipment, it’s where you’ll find a book bound in human flesh, dried severed hands, a two-headed baby in formaldehyde, Albert Einstein’s brain and a collection of objects that have been swallowed and removed. There’s also a nine-foot-long human colon that contained 40 pounds of fecal matter (it was once part of a sideshow act called “the Human Balloon”) and the body of “the Soap Lady,” whose corpse turned itself into a soapy substance because of the chemical properties of the soil she was buried in. Visitors can “ooh” and “ahh” at a collection of 139 human skulls in neat rows, or check out the tallest human skeleton on display in North America, which stands tall at 7.5 feet right next to the skeleton of a dwarf.

Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter originally began collecting these strange items, which were donated to The College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1858 for the purpose of medical research and education. To this day, the museum exists with that goal in mind – as well as for the shear purpose of shocking and amazing the general public. As the collection has grown, there are now over 20,000 items on display in jars and cases around the museum. Check out the museum’s YouTube station to be introduced to some of the curiosities of the exhibits.