Rundown for the Week of March 4, 2000
Steinbeck Country
"A journey is a person in itself, no two are alike." You may
recognize that quote from John Steinbeck's book, Travels with
Charley. Steinbeck would have celebrated his 98th birthday last
week. So today we journey to the place that inspired him, in search
of the Nobel Prize-winning author and the man himself. From the
central Coast of California, Rachel Anne Goodman goes in search of
Steinbeck.
The Life of a Hotel Doctor
There is nothing more lousy, more unfair than getting sick on
vacation. Plus, you're alone in a strange city with no clue where to
begin to find a doctor. Well, take comfort, because the doctor may
find you! The Savvy Traveler's Tanya Ott tells us how.
A Dog-Pull-Dog World
The Iditarod: this weekend kicks off what's called "The Last Great
Race on Earth". Participants mush their way 1100 miles from
Anchorage...to Nome. The Savvy Traveler's Geo Beach has a ringside
seat from his Alaskan residence. And, being the good citizen that he
is, Geo knows a little something about his home state going to the
dogs.
The Longest Trip
Remember when you were a kid and a three hour drive felt like three
years? We got this postcard from Douglas Hernandez about "the
boring-est road trip in the world." Douglas' postcard was delivered
to us courtesy of producer Kitty Felde and the community group Heart
of Los Angeles.
Riding the Coattails of a Senator
Sometimes travel can be the Great Equalizer. Doesn't matter if you're
booked into first-class or coach, you're still powerless if your
plane's overbooked or you're hit with bad weather. But if you're the
type to look for silver linings, you'll find that, during these
delays, you just might meet some interesting people. Take James
Reston, for example. Bad weather in Washington D.C. tied up traffic,
making him late for his flight to Israel. Jim sent us a postcard last
year, about the adventure that ensued as he made a mad dash for his
flight. We thought, given the political situation right now, it's
about time to hear this postcard again.
Interview: The Hidden Mardi Gras
Professor Barry Jean Ancelet of the University of Southwestern
Louisiana has been a participant in 48 country Mardi Gras. As a
folklore expert, he sees the phenomenon as a sort of culture spasm, a
moving festival that allows its participants to engage in intense
role-playing.
Deal of the Week
Happy Campers
Question of the Week
Women Travelers
Travelers' Aid
Money on the Road
Rudy's View
Keep on Truckin'
Culture Watch
Celebrating Spring in Budapest
Next Week
We head to Paris to explore some tunnels and systems underneath the
city of lights.
"The length of the tour is tailored, I guess, to how sick
you're feeling. Frankly after 20 minutes, you're ready to throw a bag
over your head and tie it at the neck."
Tourists actually paying to explore the Parisian sewer
system...sounds like another Bad Taste Tour. Better to take this one
through the radio, I think. Of course there are some people who
prefer to travel through the Internet:
"They're not actually alone because all of these other people who
have these experiences vicariously, are pretty much along for the
ride. I don't think those vicarious experiences are any less valid."
How to get where you're going when your modem's your guide....and the
worst drivers in the world....during next week's journey with the
Savvy Traveler.
Cassette Copies
If you want your very own copy of The Savvy Traveler, order an audio
cassette. It's easy. Just call 303-823-8000. The price is $15.
Rudy Maxa's Traveler Newsletter
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