Not a nomad: Unusual traveler looks for way into politics

Warning: this won’t work for everybody. It helps to be female, smokin’ hot and be able to lie comfortably through your teeth.

When you travel, I suspect you don’t roll like Anna Chapman. Rather than book a flight, get a room at an upscale hotel (or pay-by-the-hour joint) and see the usual sights, she truly blended in like a local … and kept here eyes on the sorts of attraction that people back in Moscow want to hear about it.

In case you’re a bit behind, Anna Chapman’s not one of these nomads who scrapes for a living here and there between or during random excursions for self-fulfillment. Rather, she took a four-year extended business trip that ultimately landed her in handcuffs before sending her back to the motherland in a spook-swap.

Anna Chapman was a Russian spy.

And, in case you’re extremely dim, the only reason you know her name and nobody else’s is because “drop-dead” is more than just her job. Now that she can’t lurk in our dark alleys any more, Chapman’s looking for a job, and if life cuts her way, it will be in politics.

The hottie agent has already drummed up some name recognition and celebrity status – to the point where she has to “wear sunglasses and a hat on the street,” she tells Der Spiegel. It’s a good problem to have when you’re running for office. Der Spiegel continues:

Russia has been consumed by a Chapman cult since her return. The tabloids print page after page of love confessions by her previous boyfriends. In her hometown of Volgograd, known as the “City of Heroes” for its role in World War II, members of the city council have proposed making the 28-year-old an honorable citizen.

Her next step is to get her website “up and running,” according to Chapman, which will have the contact details for her publicist … utterly predictable for the recently (in)famous.

Maybe she’ll get a call from Steven Slater for advice. Like Chapman, he probably can’t go back to his old line of work, and starting from scratch when you’ve been plastered all over the media can be so difficult.

[Via Business Insider, photo via Facebook]

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of December 24

Before you start rattling off with excuses about how the family was visiting from Buffalo or how you got tied up under the mistletoe, please do me one small favor. Spare the sob story. I don’t care why you couldn’t get here or what could have been more important than getting your travel fix, but you’re lucky that I’m nice and feeling the holiday spirit for I’m giving you the gift of checking out what you missed!

5. Would You Like Polonium With That?:

Folks following the case of the Russian spy that was poisoned might be interested in filling their mouths with the very same cuisine the spy was noshing on when things went awry and sour in his stomach. Iva informs us that the Itsu in London isn’t doing so well at the moment and one can understand why, but the newest location in NYC is thriving. Someone daring enough to try the hamachi?

4. He’s BaaaaaacK! Michael Jackson in Vegas:

I’m not going to say a whole lot here. Erik already did a fine job of that, but in short the King of Pop shall be performing in Vegas. C’mon you know and I know you’re dying to see Mike!

3. Emirates Airlines to Allow Cell Phone Talk on Flights:
Starting in January 2007, Emirates Airlines will be the first to allow cell phones use during flights. If you’re not a fan of cell phones in general or someone babbling in your ear it may be time to invest in some ear plugs.

2. Expense Reports: The Bane of Travel Writers:

Okay, this is funny because if you’ve ever needed a receipt for any job, not just travel writing you can relate. Expense reports are just not fun, but such is what must be done when traveling on the company’s dollar.

1. Not Taking Vacation! Shame on You!:
This is too hard to believe. There are people (American people) who actually don’t take their vacation days off. It is just jaw-dropping. We’re not saying take the one or two weeks and go to Tonga, but geez, give yourself the opportunity to kick back at home and watch the Discovery Channel for crying out loud. Take a break!

Would You Like Polonium With That?

While the popular sushi restaurant chain Itsu, famous for the recent poisoning incident involving a “Russian spy” Litvinenko, is hurting in London, the new branch that just opened downtown New York is apparently doing quite well, according to a NY Sun article.

Does that mean Americans are getting immune to the different security threats out there? Or does that mean that sushi, not Starbucks, is the new cosmopolitan answer to world peace?

Either way, I hear the “dynamite miso soup” is a hit. Should you be in the financial district of NY, please test it and report back.