While I’ve been known to put on lipstick or glance at an email while my car IS AT A COMPLETE STOP at a STOP SIGN, I’ve never believed that I was capable of texting and driving at the same time.  At least not do them WELL at the same time.

Whether you’re taking a road trip, or merely renting a car at your destination, it’s a wise idea to put your phone down and drive.  14 states and the District of Columbia have laws that ban texting and driving.  But I say, don’t bother trying to keep up with the driving laws of the various states, just put down the phone and err on the side of safety.

Do you really think you can drive and text at the same time?  HA!

Check out your reflexes and see how well you can text and drive with the Distracted Driving test (hat tip to the NY Times).

I couldn’t do it!

Photo credit: gcbb @flickr

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I have never been out of the US, so I’m sure any place in Italy would be great!

After watching this movie, you’ll be dying to go to Italy, I’m sure.  And yes, Italy is GREAT 

There are all sorts of thrifty ways to save up for travel, as well as ways to manage expenses while on the road.  So maybe we’ll be seeing some of those kinds of tips from Karen. 

I hope you enjoy the movie, Karen.  I know I did!  (You can read what I thought about the movie in my movie review.)

A very BIG THANKS to Miramax and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment for providing the Enchanted April DVD for a giveaway.  It’s available for purchase at your favorite online or brick and mortal store.

Photo credit:  SXC

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When I was asked if I’d like to review the movie Enchanted April, being released on DVD today, you know that I jumped at the opportunity.

Enchanted April is the story of two English women who decide to liven up their dreary lives by doing the unthinkable – renting a castle on the Italian Riviera, complete with staff. 

In 1920’s London, this degree of independence by women, to say nothing of deciding to spend their husband’s money in this way, is nothing short of daring.  In order to afford a month on the Riviera, the women must share the expenses with two other women, one a crusty and lonely widow, and the other a beautiful and aristocratic flapper.

These four women settle into a spectacular castle, draped with wisteria vines, and surrounded by beautiful, sunny gardens.  As you might expect when you throw together such an eclectic mix of personalities, there are fits and starts of friendship and pique, before a rhythm of life and friendship settles in.  By the time the husbands show up at the castle, the women have found new meaning in their life, and you know they’ll return to London with a renewed sense of purpose and joi de vivre.

I enjoyed the movie, not only for its rich, lush photography of Italy, teasing me that I’ll be there soon, but also because of how it explores the nature of women’s friendships.  As rich and lush as the scenery, if perhaps just a bit more complicated.  You can watch and decide for yourself.

After watching the film the first time, I’d recommend watching it a second time with the feature commentary.  It’s a second look at the movie, this time through the eyes of the director and producer.  They talk about why they made the choices they did, how they envisioned the characters and their friendships, and it’s a great way of exploring the movie a little more in depth.

The cast includes:  Josie Lawrence, Miranda Richardson, Joan Plowright, and Polly Walker as the four Englishwomen, and Alfred Molina and Jim Broadbent as the husbands.  The film received two Golden Globes, and was nominated for three Oscars.  You can now purchase it on DVD through your local store or online.

OR – you can enter for a chance to win a copy of the DVD right here at Flyaway Cafe!  Thanks Miramax and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment!

All you have to do is leave a comment telling me your favorite place in Italy (whether you’ve been there or just dream of being there).  I’ll keep the comments open until Friday at midnight (Pacific Time), and then pick a random winner.  

Photo credit:  Courtesy of Miramax and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

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The quiz gives you a map of the world, and 20 countries which you need to place on the map with a click.  You only have a few seconds, so you have to act quickly.  A blinking red circle means you’ve placed it correctly.  If you’re wrong, and quick, you may be able to make a second stab at it.  Different countries come up each time, so you can try it again.

It would be helpful if the map was a little bit larger, as some of the smaller countries are just a pinprick on the map.  Well, that’s my excuse for not doing as well as I thought I would.

Give it a try and let me know your score in the comments.

Photo credit:  SXC

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And, of course, like yesterday, thinking about where I might want to go next.

TravBuddy has created some easy tools for you to check off the states, provinces, and countries that you’ve been to, and then share it with your friends on your blog, Facebook page, or by other means.

Here’s my map showing that I’ve been to only 8% of the countries of the world.  You can click on the plus and minus sign icons in the upper left corner of the map to zoom in and out.

What this map shows me, is that I’ve made numerous trips to some of my favorite places, and now it’s time to cross off some of the new destinations on my travel list.  That’s part of what my resolutions are for this year.  I’m hoping to get to at least a couple new countries this year, and maybe a new state or two as well.

If you create a map of your own travels, feel free to leave a link in the comments directing us to your map.  What percentage of the world have you seen?

Image credit:  TravBuddy

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Buy a wall calendar of the destination you want to visit this year.

You can use the beautiful photos as a daily reminder to cut back on your lattes, and save up for an espresso in Tuscany.  Or to ditch the muffin from the cart to save up for a croissant in Paris.  Take the bus so you can finance a gondola ride in Venice, or forego the latest fashion so you can lounge in your bikini in the Caribbean.

No matter what your travel plans or destination this year, there will be a calendar to inspire your every travel longing.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

I’ve got Italy on my wall this year.  Both as a reminder of last year’s visit, and as a way to keep me excited for a return visit this year.

What’s hanging out your wall this year?

Images:  All from Amazon

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This is the 103rd year for Philadelphia’s New Year’s Day Mummers Parade, and this is one of those festivities that sound like so much fun.  I’m hoping that a few of my Philly readers chime in here and let me know if it’s as much fun as it sounds.  (Kelly?  Caroline?  Anyone?)

The history of the Mummers goes back to the Roman Festival of Saturnalia.  Latin laborers wore masks and marched around giving gifts.  There was also a Celtic version that was a little bit more like trick-or-treat, featuring costumes and little gifts.  Both events were filled with pageantry, enthusiasm, and more than a little bit of noise.

Philadelphia got into the act in 1901 with the first official Mummers Parade.  Unofficially large celebrations like this had been going on in Philadelphia for some time even though there were laws prohibiting it.  All that noise and merry-making was deemed too much of a nuisance.  No one was ever convicted of breaking this law, and the revelry eventually became sanctioned.

Since its inception, the Mummers Parade has evolved into a full fledged festival with thousand of capped, capped, and sequined participants strutting their stuff.  Mummers don’t walk, march, or even dance. They cakewalk — a strut that has become closely identified with the Mummers and the parade.

The festivities last for the entirity of New Year’s Day, and much like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, is a competition between the Mummers club around the area.  Each club creates a theme, and then develops it with costumes, props, and pageantry that supports the theme.  This is BIG business, and thousands of dollars go into club competitions.  Although there is some money to be won, it’s really all about bragging rights for the entire year!

Parade entries are divided into four divisions: 

1. Comic Clubs focus on satire and ridicule, and poke fun at anyone and everyone.  From the mild to the ribald, anyone can be a target.
2. Fancy Clubs focus on beautiful colors, costumes, and elaborate, themed presentations.  This is pageantry at its finest. (top photo)
3. String Bands focus on a merger of music and costumery into a uniquie kind of band.  You’ll find a variety of strings, glockenspiels, saxophones, accordions and drums, and lots of accompanying dancers.
4. Fancy Brigades focus on performance.  They march in the parade, but are judged during on their intricate dance routines during a later outdoor performance.  (See video below.)

If you’ll miss New Year’s Day in Philadelphia, you can learn a little more about the Mummers at the Mummers Museum (1100 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia).  It looks like one of those quirky museums that never fails to grab my attention.

Image credits:  All from flickr, top Fancy group, costume, clown

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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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The Parade emphasizes diversity and family as it brings together the myriad economic, ethnic, social, sexual, and racial components of New York City.  Even the NYC Police Department has recognized the Parade for its contribution in making Halloween a safe event, bringing together the community in a creative and playful way.

The parade queues up at 6th Avenue, south of Spring and North of Canal, between 6:30-8 pm. The parade begins 7 pm and proceeds up 6th from Spring to 21st Street.  Thousands of costumed revelers will join in with puppets, bands, dancers and artists.  Anyone in costumed is invited to join in.

Don’t even think about driving to the Parade; take the subway.  The streets are most crowded between Bleeker and 14th Street; so if that’s the viewing spot you want, get there early.  There are lots of great viewing opportunities along the entire Parade route.

The parade is a favorite of residents and visitors, adults and families, and attracts approximately two million people.  Add in television viewers (NY 1 airing it, 8-9:30 pm), and this event will reach over four million people.  Now that’s a Halloween party!

Photo credit:  Flickr:  skeletons, costumed participants

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Circus Circus presents Fright Dome, ranked as one of the top five scariest haunted attractions for two years running.

Full of haunted houses (five), live freak shows, rides, scare zones and a few more surprises, Fright Dome runs October 3rd through 31st, 7pm – midnight.  Tickets are $33.95/person, and you can purchase Fright Dome tickets online or by calling the box office at (702) 794-3939.  An extra $15 for a VIP Fast Pass gives you express entry (no waiting on line!) to all five haunted houses.

Check out this video from last year’s Fright Dome:

Fright Dome is not recommended for children 12 years and under.  You must be 42 inches tall to go in the mazes.

Circus Circus is located at 2880 Las Vegas Boulevard South in Las Vegas.

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