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Gracias y siempre buen viaje para todos mis lectores-viajeros!

Co-Curate a Chelsea (NYC) Art Show

Agathe de Tremontels for Street Show

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Art and technology event revolutionary Aram Bartholl has installed a USB drive into the façade of the Eyebeam Center for Art and Technology in the Chelsea section of New York City, with the center's consent of course. On that USB is Street Show: The Things Between Us, a collection of 22 works by new media and Internet artists that reflect on the idea of "transfer." Anyone with a laptop and USB port can hook up and access the files and become a co-curator of this virtual art exhibition. 

Venice Beach and Santa Monica: Where Models and the Beatles Play

Viceroy View, Santa Monica

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We drove up to the Viceroy in a rented Ford Fusion and immediately scrambled to clean up the inside of our vehicle when we saw the notice: Valet parking only. The backseat was littered with garbage bags, recycling, a gigantic cardboard box with our camping equipment spilling out and bikinis drying in the hot sun. Outfitted in bohemian maxi dresses and floppy hats, my friend Gemma and I gave the valets our names and they placed our luggage on a wheelie carrier; even carefully placing my reusable Vegas tote holding hijacked toiletries from previous hotels delicately on the hook at the top of the cart’s brass curve. A gloved man opened the main hotel doors for us and as we entered the hotel, we smacked into a wave of real-life models exiting.  

Thai Elephant 2: Something Other than Italian Fare Finds its Way to Pawling/Patterson, NY

Thai Elephant 2 summer rolls.

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Finally, some non-Italian fare breaks up the monotonous culinary mood of the Pawling/Patterson, NY area (Northeast of NYC). My family has lived in Pawling for over 30 years and since childhood, the only real style of cooking that was abundantly available in town was Italian. This March, Thai Elephant 2, helped inject some other-worldly flavors into the area, by opening up on Rt. 22 in Patterson, Pawling's neighbor. In a building that has had many culinary incarnations over the last decade, at first I was wary of the place. But, after eating their food TWO weekends in a row, I can say with complete confidence that it is: downright delicious.

Yotel: Japanese Capsule Lodging Comes to NYC

 Photo courtesy of Yotel.

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Yotel, a hotel chain offering a larger, upgraded version of Japanese capsule lodging (popular hotels with rooms slightly larger than coffins, which cost around $30 a night), has come to New York. With locations in London and Amsterdam airports, the chain's first US location on 42nd and 10th avenue opened mid-June.

Desert Hot Springs: Soaking in the Views

The Spring, Desert Hot Springs, CA.

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Set in the midst of a residential area in Desert Hot Springs, California, is The Spring, "A natural hot mineral spring resort and spa." An oasis with swaying palm trees, impressive views of the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio mountains, The Spring boasts "some of the richest mineral water in the world." Part of "Miracle Hill," a hotbed for powerful, healing mineral waters, its aguas have been compared to the miracle waters of Lourdes, France. People flocked to The Spring in the 50s to take advantage of its waters' restorative properties. The property includes an indoor pool, outdoor jacuzzi, sauna, massage rooms, outdoor fire pit and a large swimming pool, around which are most of the boutique spa's rooms.

Grand Canyon: Living on the Rim

Mr D'z Route 66 diner, Kingman, AZ.

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The Grand Canyon is a 6-7 hour drive from Las Vegas. It’s a drive with an impressively expansive, flat, no-man's-land feeling landscape. There are long stretches of road with few rest areas, so bring provisions. We made a pit stop at the Hoover Dam, which straddles Arizona and Nevada.

Las Vegas: One-Night Stand

Mandalay Bay on the Vegas strip.

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Snap! Snap! Snap! That was the sound that greeted my travel companion Gemma and I during our first and only walk along the iconic Las Vegas strip. As we made our way past the new $8.5 billion City Center 7-building complex; Luxor and Mandalay Bay hotels, in the direction of the classic Las Vegas welcome sign, we were accosted by mini-teams of florescent clad folks flicking stacks of naked lady cards in our faces. This was just one assault on our senses as there were pungent scents of perfume and cologne wafting through the air, mist from peculiar outdoor bar mist machines hitting our skin and the dizzying flashing of multi-colored lights from the massive hotels and billboards. Here are some tips for surviving the sensory-overloading adult playground that is Sin City:

*When renting a car, as we did, get a comprehensive quote before making a reservation. Ask about upgrade (for power locks and windows), GPS and insurance costs. Also see if there are penalties for returning a car late/picking it up early. Take photos of the vehicle at pickup, so you won’t mistakenly be charged a surprise later!

Bar Basque: Worth it for the drinks and view, but not for the food

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I was really looking forward to sampling the fare at Bar Basque, a tapas restaurant on the second floor of the swanky new Eventi hotel between 29th and 30th on 6th Avenue in Chelsea. I ventured there after work with my friend Danny, a former Barcelona, Spain resident as well.

As we approached the hotel, there were no signs indicating BB's existence. When we stepped off the elevator on the second floor we were confronted by a red wall with plastic computer chip replicas embedded into it. We were confused. The decor was deranged, with a sci-fi meets coastal Mediterranean fine dining restaurant weirdness.

Napa Shmapa: Go to Sonoma!

Ledson winery

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On a tip from a co-worker, while I was visiting my brother and his fiancée in San Francisco, I was to instruct them to take my friend and I wine tasting in Sonoma County. Less crowded and less pretentious than Napa, the same co-worker suggested we head to Healdsburg and tour the Alexander Valley and Strykker wineries. My brother had other plans. After living in San Francisco for nearly three years and taking many house guests wine tasting, he had committed a personal wine tasting tour map to memory. We were driven to the city of Sonoma and sampled sips at Jacuzzi, Schug, Ledson and Chateau St. Jean. The one thing I was not prepared for was the mass quantities of wine I would be imbibing.

Heinchon's Old Farmhouse: An Upstate NY Ice-Cream Institution

Heinchon's Old Farm House

For nearly eight years, I scooped ice-cream at Heinchon's Old Farm House on Rt. 22 in Pawling, on a stretch of highway connecting Manhattanites to their weekend homes in Connecticut and Massachusetts. It was hard work. Don't laugh. Over the years I nearly sprained my wrist several times digging into the hard, homemade ice-cream. I even had to wear a wrist bandage on more than one occasion for extra support. I also endured teasing from my brothers: "Carey: cone or cup?" "It's so much more than that," I would screech back. 

What's harder than scooping the ice-cream is making it. It is both costly and time-consuming to recreate traditional family recipes, but Heinchon's keeps doing it. 

Falafel on Broadway: Life-changing hummus and hot sauce

I was first introduced to Falafel on Broadway by a colleague, whose boyfriend stumbled upon this Middle Eastern fare jewel by accident. Located in Harlem, near the 1 train station at 125th street on the West side, it opened several months ago. Occupying a slightly cramped space, it has a high takeout counter that would dwarf anyone but the tall Turkish men who stand behind it preparing kebabs. There are four small dining tables in the back corner and nothing more. What it lacks in decor, it makes up for in the food, providing cheap and delicious treats. Highlights include their life-changing hummus and hot sauce.

Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa: An upstate NY Secret Kept from Locals

Buttermilk Falls Inn, Milton, NY

Tucked away in the midst of a residential area caught between two sleepy Ulster County cities; a 1.5 hour trip from New York City and just a 30 minute drive from Dutchess County, NY;  lies Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa. Until recently, the 16-room inn and luxury spa has been kept a secret from locals. A former trading post and private family homestead, the property was purchased in 2001 and converted into an Inn and Spa. Traditionally, the Inn and Spa has advertised in NYC publications and lured Manhattanites into the country for stays. The current owner, also the proprietor of NYC's Great Jones Spa, opened a farm-to-table restaurant on the property a few months ago and is looking to pull in more locals.

Barcelona, Spain: FULL DISCLOSURE

view from Barceloneta (Barcelona) beach apartment 

This photo features my good friend Anna and I relaxing on a couch after an afternoon BBQ at a friend of a friend's Barceloneta Beach apartment. It is, I believe, the perfect photographic representation of Barcelona: a spectacular seaside city filled with great people, great food and fantastic views.

After bouncing back and forth between the US and Spain for 10 years and working as an English teacher and later as a staff writer and editor at a cultural magazine in Barcelona, I've compiled a comprehensive list of places to shop and eat at, as well as visit in the city I consider my other home.

Mountain Side Gear Rental: Camping Equipment Rentals Delivered to YOU

Mountain Side Gear Rental

I'm in the midst of planning a West Coast adventure trip. The fun will start at a close friend's wedding outside San Francisco and continue with a road/plane trip with another friend coming in from Barcelona, Spain, to explore the vineyards in Sonoma and cities like Las Vegas. The highlight: a camping adventure inside the Grand Canyon. One of the greatest obstacles though, until now, was figuring out how we would pull of our camping outing. We couldn't possibly smuggle all the necessary gear on the different planes we are taking to California from NYC and Barcelona respectively. And with airlines now charging for checked luggage, we needed a smart solution. I searched online for camping rental shops near the Grand Canyon and was about to give up, when I stumbled upon a forum, where a woman mentioned Mountain Side Gear Rental. 

What do they do? Rent camping and backpacking equipment, everything from tents to cooking sets. 

Goosepimp: Boston Funkliciousness April 16th at Vassar College's The Mug

Goosepimp  

Goosepimp Orchestra, an 8-member music group from Boston is not involved in waterbird prostitution (as the name might imply), but works to make music that combines different styles, resulting in the creation of a Goosepimp, or "superbeing." GPO will bring their unique brand of funk, Latin and psychedelic-liciousness to the stage at The Mug (or Matthew's Mug) at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY this weekend. I caught up with GPO founding fathers Michael Cantor and Bob Greel, who note Charles Mingus, Pantera, Sly and the Family Stone and the Buena Vista Social Club as musical favorites and influences, a couple days before the show. 

David Sedaris: He had me at "Haven't we met before?"

How Sedaris signed a copy of Me Talk Pretty One Day for a friend.

"Haven't we met before?"


"No, this is my first time," I giggled. 


And that is how my meeting with David Sedaris began at his book signing post-reading at Proctors in Schenectady, NY (he is currently touring the US and then will be in the UK from May on). I had braved the 2 + hour drive up from Pawling, NY, a drive that was pretty spectacular (rolling NY hills, a random white Buddha head sculpture on one of them in near a place called Austerlitz) and boring. 

Wanderlust Revelation: Rockstar Storyteller on Tour (worldwide)

My copy of Sedari's When You Are Engulfed in Flames, signed thanks to my friend Sara

David Sedaris, a modern storyteller of rockstar status (as he sells out venues across the country) kicks off the Canada and US legs of his world tour tomorrow, March 29th. The self-effacing, sardonic storyteller who is a master manipulator of bon mots, has a huge following throughout the world, with people postings themselves reading his words on YouTube, to which I can only utter: wow! 

Wanderlust Revelation: Hudson Valley Restaurant Week (NY)

 Hudson Valley Restaurant Week

From March 14-27, enjoy three-course lunches at popular Hudson Valley eateries for $20 and dinners at $28 (tips not included).

Modeling itself after NYC's Restaurant Week, the 5th edition of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week highlights locales on the stretch of farmland, wineries and suburbs that flanks the Hudson River crawling up the state of NY from Manhattan. Simply look over the list of 100+ HV eateries (read over the special details column as some places have surcharges or will not have special pricing during the weekend), make a reservation for a date that falls within the specially priced two weeks (via Internet or phone) and enjoy. 

Wanderlust Revelation: Auto-Tune Antidote: Musician Dan Lavoie Performing March 14 (NYC)

To The Waters Edge Cover (RAD Graphic)

What's happened in the music world? Since when are tone deaf, reality TV housewives, suped up by auto-tune and backed by mega-marketing machines our era's music popstars? I'm not completely against auto-tune, it does have its place: in karaoke bars or to help the musically challenged win a round of SingStar. But, what happened to honest, pure music and the uniqueness of that, with all the cheesy, cliched things that come along with witnessing it: chills, hairs standing on end?