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When I first heard of CouchSurfing.org, I said, I don’t need that.

 in Deb's Travels / Sight-seeing / Sleeping Accommodations

[As posted to Facebook.] When I first heard of CouchSurfing.org, I said, I don’t need that. I met tons of fantastic people in person as I travelled my first 3 years. But I signed up anyway. I’ve been loving the community boards, picking up tips on places to go in Puerto Rico for starters. Now I have my first host. And having been to my first get together tonight, I am so excited to travel again! So many people, and a lot had been to South America. I can’t wait to go there! The get together was as great as being in a hotel great room. The buzz of conversations of so many people who have been out in the world exploring it and getting to know people there.

Setting up my travel Mac

 in Deb's Travels / Traveling with Technology

When I first set up my adopted 2008 MacBook Air, out of respect for it’s small (80GB) hard drive and my need for my client’s files, I promised myself I’d only install the few apps that really needed for work.  This Mac isn’t for fun. I’m venturing around exciting parts of the world and there are many better things to do than play on a computer — even when it’s a Mac. Thus, I only needed to install programs which were necessary for my work. My friend Cathy set up the Mac, actually, as I packed up my belongings. iLife, iWork, Office 2011, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 — but only Photoshop, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Illustrator. But then there were some utilities I really hate being without: TypeIt4Me, Default Folder, Flip4Mac, and 1Password. Oh, and Skype — necessary not just to keep in touch with friends but also to record […]

A bit of my travel philosophy via email list

 in Deb's Travels

Posting to a list I have been part of for many years, I asked if anyone had friends or family in any of the places I was considering heading to. I named the areas, of course. I hadn’t ask for lodging, meals, or advice, specifically. I’d have welcomed any of those things and most expected some advice. A woman I don’t know replied on the list saying that my request was too broad and I clearly needed a better plan. She wrote: Have you done any homework on the places you might visit? Your request is exceedingly broad. The Caribbean + Central America + South America is a large portion of the globe. Perhaps you could home in on a few locations in order to make it possible to help you. (I have two careers already!) Clearly she missed the idea that when you post to a list, it is […]

Here by choice

 in Deb in the USA / Deb's Travels / North America / USA

A thought on a cold morning: I’m cold. But I’m here in NYC by choice so grin and bear it. Actually, I don’t have to grin. No one’s watching me. I am here because I wanted to be here. I can leave any time. Just deal with it. The flip side: I am back in my hometown, living in my beloved NYC energy, seeing great friends I have missed for a long time. I am so glad I am here!

Hair for the traveler 1

 in Packing

Is your hair is getting knotty and hard to brush out as you travel? Cut it. That’s not easy for a woman to do, so this can be big. Seriously, cut your hair. It’ll grow back. And shorter hair is freedom, except for some hair types. (If that’s you, ignore this.) I cut my hair in early October and by November I was leaving torn hair behind, having to use a conditioner, was rethinking my shampoo choice. Suddenly I had the opportunity to have my hair cut (Gary, who has cut my hair most of my adult life was in NYC before heading out on his own South American travels. I expect you all get to meet a Gary somewhere in your travels and life.) Anyway, I met Gary in the city and had him cut it as short as he dared. The next day I had no knots and […]