I like to mix it up here at Flyaway Cafe, providing you with a variety of tips, ideas, destination suggestions, opinions, trends, and humor. 
This morning I took a look back at what you read most during June, and there were some real surprises.  The top five posts were all found deep in my archives!
Here they are —

Green Architecture Before its Time: Frank Lloyd Wright & Taliesin West
Photo: Sydney Opera House
Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden
Photo Op: Boston Skyline
Titanic Artifact Exhibition Will Arrive in Atlanta

If you have ideas or suggestions about what you’d like to read about here, …read more

A.M., or "ante meridiem" in Latin, means before noon.
P.M., or "post meridiem" in Latin, means after noon.
One letter difference, but if you aren’t paying attention it could mean missing your flight.
It always amazes me how otherwise bright people can get totally confounded by departure times. 
There was a situation involving a friend who has a 12:30 a.m. departure.  While the rest of the gang was pleasantly imbibing at the airport bar, one friend was missing in action.  Boarding time came, and the gang got onboard the aircraft.  Still one missing friend.  Next thing you know, it was wheels up, …read more

Tonight is the season premiere of everyone’s favorite gal around town, Samantha Brown. This season will focus on the shorter vacation, that quick getaway weekend that is both easier to schedule and kinder on the budget.
Where are the great places for that weekend getaway?  Of course, it all depends on where you live, but since the season will have ideas from all around the world you’ll probably find something close to YOUR home.
Two episodes air tonight, the first at 10 pm, the second at 10:30 pm (times are both ET/PT), featuring two wonderful cities – Las Vegas and Austin, Texas.
In …read more

Last fall I wrote about 10 things you should always carry onboard.  It’s still good advice, although a recent travel story from a friend made me re-read my post. 
I had missed the obvious – carry on your electronic gear!  Your iPod (or other music player), laptop, cell phone, Kindle, any of those thing – they all go in your carry on.  Your headset, too! 
The obvious reason is that you are bringing them to use on the flight –- which is probably why I didn’t think to mention them before.  But even if you aren’t going to use …read more

Olvera Street (845 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles), also known as El Pueblo Historic Monument, is the birthplace of the City of Los Angeles.  The block-long street, one of the oldest in the city, features historic buildings lining a traditional Mexican style plaza, and is home to one of the most colorful marketplaces that you’ll ever see.
The street was originally a short lane, called Wine Street.  The lane was eventually extended, and the name changed to honor Agustin Olvera, the first county judge of Los Angeles.  Although it became a dirty, unused alley for a period of time, the …read more

I picked up today’s Matchbook Monday from the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.  Last month I was visiting the city for a few days, and found myself at the MGM before a performance of Ka (a Cirque du Soleil performance).
Since I had about an hour to spare before meeting a friend to see the performance, and because I was looking for a quiet place to have a drink – away from the craziness, noise, and frenetic energy of the casino – and so I chose L’ Atelier du Joel Robuchon.
Walking to the door, I advised the maitre d’ …read more

Next month I’ll be going back to Guadalajara, Mexico, a city that I haven’t visited for about 15 years.
What I always loved about Guadalajara, was that it was a “real” city, as opposed to the beach cities.  Although tourism plays an important of the economic fabric of the Guadalajara, the city is also home to several universities, and, along with Mexico City, is a center for international commerce.
I’m sure that a lot of things have changed since I’ve been there, but I remember having a lot of fun shopping at Tlaquepaque, Tonola, Trocadero, and the Mercado Libertad.  And watching …read more

If you haven’t done so already, please take a moment to vote in this month’s poll:
How will the rising cost of air travel impact your summer travel plans?
Cruise over to the side bar and check off the answer that most closely explains your plans for summer travel.

I’ll be leaving voting open for just a few more days.
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I get lots of questions and emails from young men and women (teens) who “want to be a Flight Attendant when they grow up.”  The common thread in the questions is asking what can be done NOW to prepare for the job LATER.
 
Q.  What can I do now to make sure that I will be hired as a Flight Attendant when I get older?
A.  First of all, it’s important to recognize when LATER might actually be.
Most U.S. carriers have a minimum age requirement of 21.  Some of the smaller regional carriers (also known as commuter airlines) may have a …read more

To learn about some of the things that you may have missed around the Travel & Culture Channel over the last few weeks, take a look at some of the tasty tidbits our bloggers have been writing about:

Filipina Soul – A yummy sounding recipe for Putong Puti (Rice Muffins).
Flyaway Cafe – Picks her 7 Family Vacation Destinations that are FUN & Educational.
Geeky Traveller – Answers the questions Is the New iPhone 3G useful for travelers?
Let’s Visit Asia – Unfortunately, Thai Airways Adjusts Fuel Surcharge (hint:  it’s going up).
Sirened – An argument for decriminalization of drugs …read more