Gray Line Wanderings Travel Blog

Super Cool, but Not the Most Practical Way to Keep in Touch Abroad.

If you’ve ever left the country for more than a couple of weeks, you understand how difficult it can be to stay in touch with friends and family at home. Whether you’re a retiree enjoying your newly discovered free time, a mid-lifer trying out something crazy, or a recent grad with an enviable gap year planned, you probably want to take off without leaving everyone behind. While there are some obvious ways to stay connected while abroad, I’d like to also suggest a couple of original ideas about how to keep in touch from across the world.

The Basics: There are several ways to stay in touch that you’ve probably already thought of, but I suppose I will mention them anyway. Good, old fashioned mail and post cards. E-mail blasts. International calls either by calling card or video calls on Skype. Posting photos, sharing anecdotes, and writing to friends via social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Got ‘em? Good!

Creative Skype Sessions: While many people might be familiar with Skype, and use it as a way to chat, there are some other more creative ways to use the video tool. If you’re abroad for a long time, sometimes you miss the normal stuff. How about planning to watch the same movie together with Skype open? Or what about chatting over coffee with both of you sitting at a different cafe? Bring things in for show and tell to engage each other in your new lives. See what you can come up with, and have fun!

Care Packages: Sending care packages from abroad is a personal way to remind people that you’re thinking of them. Fill it with local favorites, inside jokes, notes, pictures, or anything that you think they might be interested in. Whether you break the bank on a big box or stuff some things inside an envelope, creating a care package reminds people at home that you’re still thinking of them.

Celebrate Birthdays: A message or letter is a nice gesture, but try a bit harder for someone’s birthday from abroad! It can be as simple as giving them an online gift certificate or having flowers sent to their home, or as intricate as having a mutual friend set up a scavenger hunt to which you write the clues and pay for later. Whatever you think of, they will appreciate that you thought of them from so far away.

Snapshot of My Travel Blog

Blogs & Vlogs: Blogs are a fun and easy way to share stuff with your loved ones and an even broader audience if you’re interested. You can write an “and then we did this after this” kind of blog, or you can focus on specific anecdotes, create photo blogs, generate top 10 lists, make a weekly video, or whatever interests you! Get creative.

Photo Projects: Sharing a photo of a cool cathedral or impressive palace is all  well and good, but perhaps you’re friends at home might appreciate a more personalized version of your photos. Try editing your photos into collages or make them into cartoons. Take specific photos for your individuals and include a caption about why it made you think of them. Create cards or online books with your photos and send them home. The more effort you put in, the more connected you’ll feel.

Do you have any creative ways to stay in touch from abroad? Tell us about them in the comments section below or on Facebook! (Click here if you can’t see comments: How to Stay in Touch While Traveling Abroad)

Avoiding Traffic from Bangkok's Sky Train

Metros are perhaps the most useful method of transportation when getting around a new and unfamiliar city. They are usually easier to use, harder to get lost on, and more affordable than other transportation alternatives. Whether running above the highways or plunging below the streets, metro systems serve as a web of interconnection that can get you to and from nearly anywhere in cities around the world. However, if you’re from a less-than-urban town in the United States, you might be more familiar with fishing line than the green line. As a former metro rookie, I wanted to create a how to guide for the rest of us. Here’s a General Guide about How to Use a Metro, using the Washington D.C. metro as an example:

Example: Metro Map of Washington D.C.

1. Figure out where you’re going. If you’re visiting the Eiffel Tower or the Lincoln Memorial, look in a guide book, ask a station attendant, or go on the website to figure out which metro station is nearest the sight. Sometimes metro maps include pictures of major attractions to help tourists locate the sight. Example: You would like to go to Eastern Market Farmers Market, located off of the Eastern Market metro station.
2. Figure out the station nearest you. Find the metro station near you. Ask at your hotel or look for above ground signs (typically a Red “M”).
3. Buy a Ticket. Look for a ticket machine or head to the information counter if you’re confused. Sometimes the prices are flexible based on distance while some are flat rate. Most machines provide instructions in English if you change the language.
4. Identify what line you’re on and what line your destination is on. Metro lines are named and identified by a color. If you’re beginning at a station of a different color than your destination, you will have to change stations or “transfer” at least one time. Example: You begin at Fort Totten metro, servicing the red and green lines. You want to go to Eastern Market off the blue line. 
5. Identify which station is the interchange. Interchange stations are usually identified with a bold open circle that shows the connection of two lines. Example: You need to get to the Blue line. The easiest way to do it in the above example would be to take the red line to Metro Center where the red and blue lines intersect.
6. Get on a train going the right direction. The direction of the train is indicated by the end points. Example: The red line is referred to as Glenmont/Shady Grove because those are the end points. If you begin at Fort Totten, and want to go to Metro Center, you will take the line in the direction of  Shady Grove.
7. Change Lines. Usually there is a multilingual announcement at each stop, but many metros also have a light-up map on the wall that indicates the current location of the train. Once you get to the interchange, get off the metro and there will be signs directing you to the other lines. Example: Metro  Center will have signs directing you to the Blue line Franconia-Springfield/Largo. To go to Eastern Market, you’ll take the line in the direction of Largo.
8. Get off at Your Destination. If you find yourself at your final destination, congratulate yourself! If not, don’t panic… the good thing about the metro is that everything connects somehow. Find someone in a vest or head to the information counter and try again. You’ll get the hang of it soon.

Even when you’ve got it all figured out, sometimes the journey can be hectic. I still remember getting yelled at in German and getting pushed out at a random stop after-hours on the metro in Berlin. Ever have a metro disaster? Tell us about it on the comments below or share it with us on Facebook!

Photo by Author. Spicy, Crispy, Street-Side Samosas in Myanmar

Crispy empanadas stacked and sprawling emit fragrances that could make even the most finicky of travelers scarf down a plate. Pad Thai is twice as flavorful and half as expensive in Thailand, and street Kebabs after a night out in France have a higher turnover than their restaurant counterparts anyway!

Traveling offers an abundance of opportunities to sample local favorites and imported flavors. How could you turn that down? As long as you have a discerning eye, you can sample some of the best food in the world like a mad man without even losing a day to stomach grumbles.

Wondering how to eat street food without getting sick? Here are 4 essential tips for eating smart on the street:

1. Choose your Food Wisely: Sure a street ceviche and an already-cooked pork skewer look tasty, but only if you’re willing to gamble upon the food’s freshness. Typically, a smart street-eater might steer clear of meats and fresh fruits and vegetables in favor of something fool proof– fried, boiled, and seared are always good! Pick something that is stored and cooked to order for the least chance of contamination.

A couple options include Vegetarian Pad Thai, Churros, Chow Mein, Samosas

2. Follow the Crowd: Step down trendsetters, this is the time to do as the locals do. If a crowd of Mexican diners are vouching for a burrito stand, chances are it’s not only safe, but delicious. Also, the more people blowing through, the quicker the food turnover… which means less chance of a yucky stomach bug for you.

Eat at the standard local breakfast or lunch time to see the most popular places in action.

3. Screen for Sanitation: Food cleanliness is part of a huge realm of subjectivity and you’ll have to set your own standards when you see it– flies are a serious reality in many parts of the world and a quick rinse is considered “washing” at particularly busy food stalls. Use discretion and ask questions about water or cooking methods if necessary. Soon enough, you’ll develop a new standard for “clean” and knowing what to look for will make is not so scary anymore.

Watch them clean up the previous order to see if they’re using clean water and soap.

4. Eat it Anyway: Sometimes the best food comes from an establishment that looks flat out shady. If you’re brave, it might be worth taking a risk on a mango lassi or an agua fruta, as long as you know basic precautions (ie. purified water) have been taken. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and enjoy every last sip. Usually, you’ll have no problems at all!

Theres too much to sample in the world of cuisine to always stick to restaurants. Flavors emerge in an entirely new way and the breadth of local food is broadened significantly if you’re willing to experiment. If you’re new to street food, take it slow, but I’m confident your first trip won’t be your last! Enjoy!

Interested in experiencing the local cuisine? Check out one of Gray Line’s foodie tours on GrayLine.com!

Where and what was the best street food you have ever eaten? (If you can’t see Facebook comments below, click here to go to the full version of the Street [Food] Smarts: Traveler’s Guide to Eating Street Food Blog Post. 

I tend to be slightly neurotic, obsessive compulsive, in short – a control freak. I can’t help it. I need a hand in everything. Traveling has helped a bit; I have learned that no matter how much you plan, many things will go wrong. So what’s a girl to do when you’re on the road and can only control so much? You can make sure your bag(s) are in order. Living out of a suitcase/backpack can be difficult and limiting, especially when traveling for long periods of time. So imagine my delight when I came across these nifty gadgets. I like to think these items keep me sane on my travels. Everything might be falling apart around me, but at least I know the inside of my bag is neat, organized, and completely under my control.

Here are my top five – can’t travel without – must haves:

1)   Eagle Creek Pack-It Compressor – 2 Pack: These are amazing. Think vacuum sealing your clothing without the vacuum. These will save you so much space and are a lifesaver if you’re living out of one backpack. You can either buy the 2 pack, which contains two different sizes, or buy them individually.

2)   Sea to Summit Travelling Light TPU Clear Zip Top Pouch: I adore this item, it is TSA approved to hold your liquids. It comes with a total of 6 leak proof bottles! The best part, for me, is no more wasting Ziploc bags. This pouch will last for quite some time!

3)   Eagle Creek Pack-It Cube: This item is a great way to organize and save space in your luggage. There are different shapes and sizes to fit your traveling needs.

4)   Pacsafe Pouchsafe 200 Travel Organizer: I’m not sure what it is about airports, but whenever I’m in one, I find myself holding a million different things. Not only that, I can never find anything on time! That’s when this item comes in handy. It holds your passport, boarding pass, credit cards, and can be worn around your neck. Hello easy access! It also has internal zippers so your items are safe.

5)   REI Shower Kit: This great buy has water resistant lining and is pretty much fool proof. ‘Nuff said.

What items can’t you travel without? Share your tips in the comments below! (Click here if you can’t see Facebook comments below)

“Sonja wake up, we’re going to be late!” Jory violently shook me from the best sleep I’d had since I arrived in India four days prior…

It was 5:30 am and we had one hour if we were lucky, to get through the gates to watch the sun rise behind the Taj Mahal. Everyone had expressed to us that this was the only way to experience it. They would swoon saying, “the lighting… THE LIGHTING!” I quickly threw some cold water on my face, collected my things, and ran out the door.

“Hola, Hola, Coca Cola!” greeted Omar, the rickshaw driver we had commissioned the day before. Amazed by his enthusiasm at such an early hour, we climbed in and relayed our desperate situation. The spicy, sweaty, floral scent of Agra attacked our senses as we flew through the eerily silent city. Dawn began to break and a sense of panic started to seep in, “what if we miss it?!”

Once we arrived we quickly bought our tickets, fought off beggars, peddlers, and even monkeys – only to discover we were not the only ones to have this stroke of genius. The line moved slowly as the horizon began to lighten. After being searched by four different guards, a precaution taken in thanks to the attacks in Mumbai a few months prior, we finally crossed the gates as the sun kissed the sky. There she stood white marble veiled in a pale pink glow, blushing, as if someone had drawn the curtains too soon. The water in the pool guiding you to the entrance blinked as the light hit the surface. We stood in awe, and being a hopeless romantic, I began to tear up, not only because of its striking beauty but because it was built as a monument of love. After a moment of standing in silence I looked over at Jory and was relieved to see that she was just as moved by the experience as I was.

“They were right” she whispered.

I smiled and responded “the lighting…!”

What travel experiences have you had where timing really was everything? Share with us in the comments below! (if you’re having trouble viewing Facebook comments, click here)

One of the greatest cities to visit during the summer is Seattle. The weather is comfortable and warm, the seafood is to die for and the activities are endless. Traveling to Seattle during the winter however can be a different story. The cloud cover that most travelers want to avoid on vacations is ever present and that cloud cover usually brings with it the daily drizzle. Choosing the best activities for this weather can be difficult, but to make planning easier I’ve picked out some fun places to explore, even in the company of rain.

1. The Bainbridge Ferry

These large, slow moving ferries offer you the opportunity to see west facing Seattle, which is a spectacular view (see above). If you don’t want to brave the rainy outdoor decks, you can view the beautiful scenery from the indoor window seating. The ride to Bainbridge is only 30 minutes and gives you just enough time to see some of the surrounding Islands as well. Tickets for the ferry are inexpensive and lunch on Bainbridge is oysterific.

2. Alki Beach

On a day that is cloudy but not rainy head on over to Alki Beach in West Seattle. If you’re a brunch fan like me, stop in for some crab and eggs at Salty’s, a waterfront restaurant. Salty’s is well known for its seafood and great views of downtown. Afterwards, work off brunch by taking a stroll down Alki where you’ll find rocky and sandy beaches, docks and friendly locals. Don’t be afraid to stop into one of the tiny restaurants or bars along the way for a mid afternoon drink. You’re on vacation after all!

3. SAM – The Seattle Art Museum

The SAM is located on 1^st avenue in downtown Seattle. It is right next to the Puget Sound and countless stores and restaurants. The SAM is easy to find, just look for the 3 story tall man on 1^st “hammering” away at his next masterpiece. After touring the museum, you have Pike Place Market within walking distance. If it is especially rainy that day, you can opt to check out the market’s lower levels where there are cozy restaurants and quirky shops.

*For great food at Pike Place visit: Place Pigalle, Maximilien, or Etta’s for lunch.

While there is much more to do in Seattle, the rain can at times motivate you to do nothing more than hunker down in your hotel room. Hopefully this list will help get your ideas flowing and put that newly purchased rain jacket to good use! For more cool ways to explore the city, check out Gray Line Seattle Tours.

What are your favorite activities to do in the rain? Share in the Facebook comments below!
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I feel like a grown up. Technically, I’ve been an adult for quite some time, but for the first time in a long time I actually feel like a real grown up. Why? Because I just returned from an adults-only vacation. What?!? Travel without your children? I know what you are thinking, but trust me–it was still fun without them.

This type of vacation doesn’t happen very often in our house. After all, we don’t have grandparents nearby to help nor are we able to pry ourselves from our kiddos for an extended period of time. I mean we dig those little people so why go somewhere without them?

I’ll tell you why. Because sometimes you need a break. Sometimes you want to eat more than one meal in a row without crayons and ketchup. A vacation is just the perfect time to accomplish both of those goals and a few others you will come up with on your own, I’m sure.

To make your transition to being a relaxed grown up easier I thought I would share a few things that helped us prepare for the trip. Although not an exhaustive list, it’s enough to get you started dreaming about enjoying a meal without a slide near your table.

• Get your legal house in order. I’m in no way a lawyer but I felt better knowing that our will, life insurance, medical power of attorney, medical records and other important documents were up to date and available for our caregivers.

• Get your physical house in order. I found it helpful to make sure the house was clean, the fridge was stocked and I had enough meals prepared and frozen that no one had to worry about the terrifying “what’s for dinner?” question every day.

• Stock some gift cards. I heard this tip from a friend and it seemed to come in handy. I left some gift cards (coffee, restaurants, grocery store, etc.) for the grandparents so if they wanted to take the kids out to eat or if they needed extra groceries or something they could just use the gift cards to get what they needed.

• Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. We were lucky to have grandparents come stay with our kids but since they do not know our local area, I left maps and directions to important places like the doctor’s office, emergency room, pharmacy, etc. I also left directions to not so important places like fun parks to play at, the kids’ favorite restaurants, shopping, etc.

• Have a communications plan in place. My anxiety was easily calmed with daily (sometimes more often) video chats with the kids. Whether you call on the phone, text, Skype or send carrier pigeons, planning your method of communications and even the general time of day you will communicate helps ease everyone’s anxiety.

• Let it be a vacation for the kids too. The entire time we planned the trip and talked about it we told the kids it was their vacation from us too. Grandparents helped ease or get rid of some rules while we were gone, schedules were relaxed and I had plenty of food in the house I wouldn’t normally permit unless we were hosting a party. Even these little things helped the kids view the week as a positive of what they were getting rather than what they were missing.

With the New Year so mysteriously already begun, I (along with the rest of the world) am looking over my list of New Year’s resolutions. Some are obvious and common: eat less, lose the holiday weight. Others a little more unpopular: volunteer less and make more room for free time. But what about travel?

As fellow lovers of all things travel and travel related, why not make a travel resolution or two.  I’m not taking about adding to the wish list. (Although I wouldn’t stop you if you did!) I’m talking about actually writing it down, committing to it and getting it done. Taking the trip. This could be the year we all check one destination off our bucket list. If we can’t check it off maybe we finally start saving for it or at least getting our plan together of the action steps we need to take to embark on the trip we’ve been dreaming of.  What do you say? Where are you headed? When do you leave? Who is IN?

If you’ll forgive me one brief Twilight Zone reference, for some people, the thought of flying is actually more terrifying than the monster on the wing.  If you ever need to leave your neighborhood and unless endless bus rides or cousin Eddie-style RV trips are on your fun list (you show me that list, I show you a liar), conquering that fear of flying is most likely in your best interest. Luckily, this non-medically-endorsed, completely unofficial, and in no way responsible for your decisions blogger has compiled a short list of tips for the un-terrified traveler:

1)   Make yourself comfortable. Often stress results from an unfamiliar situation. Lose all inhibition, forget the comfort of your neighbors, flight attendants and pilots, and do what you need to do, sister. Gnarly flannel nightgown? Sure. Massive body pillow for snuggling? Why not. Your new mantra: keeping it comfy keeps it sane.

2)   The more you know (thanks late 90’s NBC Saturday morning teen programming). Check out every book the library has on flight. Actually more realistically, read every article and blog post the internet has on flight. Once you’ve reached the end of the interwebs, you’ll know all the ins and outs of flight physics—and knowing exactly how you’re staying up might just help.

3)   Pharma-snooze-ticals. Again, massive disclaimer, neither myself, this blog, or any affiliates thereof hold any actual medical certifications, so you’re on your own with this one. But seriously, anti-anxiety and sleeping medications were divinely ordained for just such scenarios as white-knuckled trans-Atlantic flights. Get you some.

Parents of small children know that traveling with those under 4 can be quite challenging. Often so much so, it deters many a young family from venturing outside their own postal code.

Here are some sure fire ways to ensure that your trip with small people goes horribly wrong.

Have no time to spare – Nothing screams travel disaster more than leaving no time to spare with little kids in tow. Arrive at the airport early. I’m talking freakishly early. You never know when a mishap can set you back on your timeline and if you start a holiday on that note you all may never recover.

Abandon All Schedules – The best way to make sure a small child has a thermonuclear melt down is to guarantee that they have no idea what is next. Do your best to keep on schedule to the degree that you can.  Try to have some semblance of their “normal” day. When you travel, part of the point is that you are off routine, but help your kids feel more comfortable by keeping up what part of their schedule that you can.

Bring No Comforts of Home – If your child has a favorite blanket or other treasured lovely, bring it along and by all means keep track of it.  Seriously, keep track of it like your life depends on it, because it just might.

Have No Patience – Patience breeds cooperation.  The calmer you are, the easier time you will all have. You may have to abandon some of your expectations but cooperation makes for happy and memorable travels.

Make Everything A Chore – When you are having fun, your kids have fun. Even the mundane things can be intriguing and fun to kids. Let them hand their tickets to the gate agent. Let them find the row and seat numbers. Make the little things exciting and they will keep engaged. Engaged kids are too busy to fuss.

No Food. No Rest – I was once given the parenting advice that fussy kids are often just tired or hungry.  I’m well beyond the preschool years and this rule even applies to me. Keep snacks and drinks bountiful and a comfy place to rest at the ready. Even if it’s on your shoulder, it still counts as rest. Don’t we all just need a little break? Isn’t that part of the reason you wanted to take the trip in the first place?