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I’m not well traveled and that’s a fact I plan on changing.  When I landed in Chicago for the first time in July of 2009, I felt like a real cosmopolite jetsetter.  I was only there for 48 hours.  But every time I go somewhere new, I’m increasingly more aware of how few things I’ve seen.

From time to time I check out a Lonely Planet book or read one of the Rough Guides.  Then I sigh and dream and…

No more!  I’ve made a goal to hit at least two countries in 2010.  These wonderful, affordable books helped me choose.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I’m a cheapskate librarian.  I checked them out at the library.

In A Sunburned Country

Most of my blogging mentors live in Australia.  But somewhere in between watching Crocodile Dundee and meeting my cyber-pals, I read Bill Bryson’s book In A Sunburned Country.

I was first exposed to Bryson by his epic tragicomedy A Walk In The Woods, about his ill fated, under prepared effort to hike the Appalachian Trail.

Sunburned feels similar, but is set in Australia and contains fewer disasters.  Bryson’s facts are funny and informative without being pedantic or condescending.  What I mean by that is: sometimes I read a travel book and feel like not only have I not been anywhere, I’m not interesting enough or smart enough or wealthy enough to travel.

But that’s my issue.  Above all, Bryson’s writing is passionate.  His love of travel is obvious and infectious.  I’m easily swayed when I hear someone rave about something.  Bill raves about Australia the way I talk about libraries and kettlebells, although he’s got a lot more skill in getting people to buy in than I do.

Hilarious, educational without being stuffy or boring, and absolutely perfect—In A Sunburned Country is helping me to take a big step.

I’m A Stranger Here Myself

This book is a fun crash course in the United Kingdom and modern-ish America.  After living in England for 20 years, Bryson comes home and settles in New Hampshire.

His description of how the British give directions was worth the price of the book for me, but I’m someone who can’t read a map.  Oh—I keep forgetting that I didn’t buy the book.  But I would!

His description of how much Americans eat is also perfect and sad.

Stranger wasn’t quite as funny for me as some of Bryson’s other work.  There’s a lot of contemplation and introspection here.  But it doesn’t hurt the book.  The wonderful thing about Bill Bryson is that his fans are never disappointed.

Whether he’s talking writing about the English language, science, Shakespeare, Australia, bears, wombats, crumpets, or what it means to be married, he’s always himself.

My favorite books are always the ones where I can tell the author had a blast writing them.  Bill Bryson loves to write, travel, and have a good time.

And with that, I’ve got to figure out how to get some money and time together and hit the road next year.  I imagine I’ll be back here at the blog often, pestering people for advice and asking questions about dingoes and English muffins.

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About the Author: Josh Hanagarne writes World’s Strongest Librarian, a blog with advice about coping with Tourette’s Syndrome, kettlebells, book recommendations, buying pants when you’re 6’8”, old-time strongman training, and much more. Please subscribe to Josh’s RSS Updates and Stronger, Smarter, Better Newsletter to stay in touch.

Photo credits:  Barnes & Noble (book covers), Josh Hanagarne (headshot)

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The app claims to help you speak your mind in an array of languages, by providing useful emergency, flirtatious, and necessary phrases in Mandarin, French, Hindi, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian.  Not exactly the languages I’m looking for, but I chose Spanish and gave it a go.

There were a small handful of phrases designed to “help me out.”  Tap on the phrase that you need, and it’s repeated in perfect native tongue.  Sounds pretty darned good.  Except I can’t imagine needed phrases like “Help!  I just got swindled.”  Or “I’m new in town, can you give me directions to your apartment.”

The lines were fun and silly, and of very little use to a traveler outside of a laugh or two.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good laugh.  But I don’t need to take up precious app space with a useless phrase guide.  This app got deleted almost as quickly as it took to download it.

Pass!

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If travel you must, then you have to find a way to keep a sense of humor about it.  Sure, there are serious issues facing the industry, and security is a legitimate, but if you can’t laugh about some of this stuff, you’re destined for a pretty unhappy existence.  Remember, laugh and the world laughs with you!

Here’s comic Carlos Oscar talking about his experience flying:

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Here’s a clip from the movie, Meet the Parents:

Do you sometimes feel like what happens in  this episode is your travel status quo?

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One entertainer who has captured the humor of our job is Pam Ann, a character created by Australian comedian Caroline Reid.  Pam Ann, a twist on the name of former airline Pan Am, is part drag routine and part campy humor with a bit of glamour thrown in for good measure.  Her routines play on the stereotypes of airlines, Flight Attendants, and some of the quirkiness of various airline cultures. 

Although much of the humor can be on the risque side, here’s a safe-for-work clip of what it’s like to work the beverage cart:

Pam Ann frequently tours in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.  She has a released a couple DVD’s, and I hear that one more is in the works.

People often think that Flight Attendants are offended at humor like this.  Quite the contrary is true!  This is funny stuff, and we appreciate it as much as anyone!

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According to this video (not entirely safe for work), and stories circulating in the European press, the answer to that question is. . . . stripping!

While much discussion is swirling about whether or not this is a hoax, it’s been widely reported as being “under investigation” by the airline involved, who promises disciplinary action for all parties involved.

What do you think?  Should stripping be a firing offense?

NOTE:  This is not intended to denigrate the tough job that Flight Attendants perform day in, day out.  They are safety professionals, responsible for the lives of hundreds of passengers every day, and deserve our respect.  If this is a hoax, just enjoy the humor.  If it’s for real, it’s a good reminder that in every profession you’ll find people who choose not to exercise good judgment.  Enjoy the humor in that.

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At the beginning of the evening you can grab one, fill out the box labeled “Please take me home to” with your hotel address, and feel comfortable that you can navigate your way. 

A little riskier is filling out where to look for your money:  “my bag, my trousers, my bra, my boxer shorts” among others.

It’s all in good fun (and you can order your own from Spoon Sisters for $3.95/package), but it does drive home a larger point — most people have no problem remembering their home address, but a hotel address may prove to be a little more complicated to remember.

If you’re heading out for an evening out on the town, pick up a business card from the front desk or your hotel concierge and put it somewhere easy to find.  That way you’ll know where you need to wind up when the evening is over.

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