Gray Line Wanderings Travel Blog

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Oh Smokey the Bear, how I mocked you as a child. You made it so easy for me and my friends to twist your words into something inappropriate.

This, however, is no joking matter.

Having grown up in New Mexico, I know what it’s like to live in a dry climate. Colorado can be much the same. And unfortunately, this year is one for the books.

Our gorgeous state is in a state of emergency. There are currently fires in Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and Boulder.

• 32,00 People were evacuated in El Paso County near Colorado Springs as the fire came down Waldo Canyon.
• Flagstaff fire is about 1.5 miles from the Boulder city limits.
• 90,000 acres have been swallowed up by the The High Park fire in the Fort Collins area. With containment not expected for TILL JULY 30^TH!

We haven’t had any rain, we have extreme temperatures (reaching 106 in the Denver metro area), and high winds. All of these things equal disaster.

So what can we do?

• The Denver Post has provided resources and information on how we can all help in all 3 areas.
• Here is a full list of county bans and restrictions.
• There is a ban on all private fireworks.
• You can only have a campfire if it is in a developed campsite with a metal fire ring.
• DO NOT, I repeat, do not smoke outside!!!!

Fires can happen anywhere. Caution should be exercised everywhere you go. If you are unsure of what preventative measures to take our old friend Smokey the Bear is here to lend a helping hand.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

Do you have any updates on the situation? Can you provide any tips on how to prevent fires? Let us know in the comments below.

Photo of Author & Friend Being Tired/Ridiculous After Too Many Consecutive Days of Travel in Europe

Its easier to blame recurring vacation flops on the taxi driver that ripped you off or the roachy hotel, but as the saying goes… if you cant identify the problem, its probably you.

Whether in the name of safety or health, fashion or reputation, time or comfort, travelers often manage to ruin their own vacations by avoiding the abundance of unexpected experiences as they would the Bird Flu. Vacations are a time to get swept away, not to hunker down within the confines of a hotel room! On your next vacation, keep these things in mind for an overall more memorable experience.

Best Meal at a Local Restaurant India

1. Never Eating on the Street: When we’re talking about the intersections of Bangkok or the side streets of Sayulita, expensive food doesn’t always mean better food. Sometimes eating below your budget is an experience unto itself. Start by trying local restaurants that don’t cater to foreigners and you’ll probably eat your best Som Tham, wondering why you ever paid the premium.

2. Trying to Fit too Much into Too Little Time: Ambitious itineraries look fabulous on paper, but it doesn’t take long to realize that making time for everything leaves you time for nothing. Try to be selective with your sightseeing and spend more time at the places you enjoy. Over-scheduling leads to stress and that’s not much of a vacation at all!

3. Sticking to the Major Sites: Every destination has a long list of must-see sights, but an even longer list of untraveled wonders just waiting to be found. Of course you’ll visit the Eiffel Tower, but venture down a side street and wander into a sleepy cathedral or bakery for an oh-so-French pastry at half the price. It will not only make your experiences more unique, but more memorable.

4. Getting Around Exclusively by Air: The journey is often far more fascinating than the destination. Sure flying is becoming a quick and increasingly cheaper way to travel around, but insert an overland route here and there. Out of the tall glass windows of your bus, you’ll see fascinating countryside farms, quaint towns and expansive landscapes you’d have missed otherwise.

As if Getting Around Isn't Hard Enough on Its Own...

5. Packing too Much: It happens to everyone at some point in their explorations. The cream cashmere shrug that you ‘couldn’t do London without’ starts to itch when you’re wearing it around in the mid-day heat with a bag too full to zip. You don’t have to go sloppy, but pack smart for a more enjoyable hauling experience. There’s nothing worse than hauling a 5 piece luggage set up and down the staircases and tunnels of the Paris Metro system. The less you’re lugging around, the more free you’ll feel.

6. Following a Plan: At the very most, you should have a framework of expectations for your trip. If your expectations are specific, you’ll almost always be blindsided. If you’re stuck with a plan, you’ll miss out on a lot of the opportunities that arise sporadically. Try your best to travel freely to get the most out of any and all time abroad. Take it all in!

It’s ok… everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Just don’t let it happen again.

How did you sabotage your last trip? Let me know in the comments below! (If you can’t see Facebook comments, click here: 6 Ways to Sabotage Your Own Trip)

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. 

Going Heavy on the Water is Key -Photo by Flickr mbettik

Traveling is great for the soul. It can be relaxing, exciting, and inspiring. Each day is a new adventure which can unfortunately sometimes include those “womp, womp” travel moments – when you lose your luggage, get ripped off, or get terribly lost. Those moments when you curse yourself and the world, but once you’re home, it’s your favorite story to tell. No one, however, wants to remember, revisit, or retell the story of that time they got horribly sick while traveling. It’s uncomfortable, frustrating and results in you missing out on all the fun. Your chances of getting sick increase with travel frequency, duration and location. You just have to accept the fact that you’re eventually going to get sick, but you can do your best to lower the frequency and severity. Below are a few easy tips that apply anywhere to help keep your health in tip top shape.

Uno: DO YOUR HOMEWORK! It is always a good idea to research the places you will be traveling to for health do’s and don’ts. Although be careful when reading this stuff as it can be quite easy to go full on hypochondriac. Just make sure you’re aware of the general immunization and health tips by visiting resources including: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel, wikitravel.org and lonelyplanet.com.

Deux: STAY HYDRATED! I cannot express this enough. It is extremely important to drink h20 while traveling. Seems basic enough, but this is one tip that is easily forgotten. Keep a water bottle with you at all times! If you happen to fall victim to “Delhi Belly”, “Montezuma’s Revenge” etc. (if you can hold it down) keep drinking water! Just remember the best travel buddy is, and always will be water. Plus having a water bottle handy saves you from buying it at $4/bottle in the airport or at tourist traps. Just be confident about where you’re filling up, such as respectable restaurants and hotels.

Tin: WASH YOUR HANDS! Yes, I know I sound like your mother, but it is extremely important to keep your hands clean. Public transportation, money and doorknobs, to name a few, are teeming with germs. Paper soap saved my life while traveling in India where I couldn’t count on trains, public restrooms, etc. to be stocked with soap.  Paper soap is basically what it sounds like – thin sheets of soap that resemble pocket size sheets of paper that are perfect for one washing. You can purchase them online Amazon has a good selection at a decent price. FYI- if you happen to be going to India you can buy a pack on any corner, at any chemist for about .50 USD. And for quick sanitation, nothing quite beats keeping a travel size anti-bacterial gel in  your pocket.

Vier: SLEEP! I know this can be a tough one for everybody, especially when you add in the effects of jet lag and so many cool things to see, so little time! We’ve all heard the saying “I’ll sleep when I’m dead”, well you just try and apply that to your day-to-day life. If you’re on vacation, then do yourself a favor and make some time to sleep in. Your mind, body, spirit, and immunity will thank you. Plus, you’ll have a lot more fun if you’re healthy for the duration of your trip instead of just the first few days.

Fem: EXERCISE! Wait, what? Yes, I said exercise. I know it’s the last thing you want to do while traveling, but think about it. You could be sitting for long periods of time on planes, trains, buses etc. That combined with the overeating that always happens while traveling, and you have an unhealthy mixture. I’m not saying go pump some iron, I mean you can, but it can be as simple as going on a walking tour of the cities you are visiting. Here’s a list of some great walking tours around the world that are offered by Gray Line. This is a great way to be active while taking in the sights! Remember an active body is a happy body.

What are your tips and tricks to stay healthy while traveling? Let us know in the comments below! (click here if you can’t see Facebook comments)