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Eat, Drink, Travel & Be Nice – World Tour of the Web
By: Colleen Lanin, The Travel MamaJanuary 24th, 2012
Usually I try to come up with some sort of clever theme for these weekly World Tour of the Web posts, but I have got a bunch of deadlines looming, my eye is twitching from lack of sleep, and I couldn’t find a way to tie these up with a big travel-themed bow. So, here are a bunch of stories that I really like. I hope you like them too.
Should You Eat at American Chain Restaurants When You Travel?
by Mike Barish, Gadling
Judgemental travelers like to think “their way” is the better way to see the world. These people would tend to balk (loudly and with much superiority) at eating at a McDonald’s or Pizza Hut while traveling. The author of this post makes a case for checking out American fast food eats while in a foreign country. Mike says, “I love eating locally and experiencing the cuisines of the world. But I also love seeing how American culture is reinterpreted to fit into the social norms of other places.” Agreed. When I lived in Southern France for a year during college, my trek to McDonald’s every Sunday (when the university’s cafeterias and most other restaurants were closed) was like a welcome, if greasy, hug from home.
20 Unique Drinks to Sample on Your Next Trip
by Adam Seper, BootsnAll
These drinks give you an excuse to get a little buzz on while traveling. I mean, you really should experience the local culture, right? Especially if that means doing a shot of Springbok (creme de menthe and amurula cream) in South Africa or sipping a Pain Killer (dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple and orange juice, topped with nutmeg) in the Caribbean!
The Uppers & Downers of Parenting (Or, Coffee & Wine)
by Amber Dusick, Parenting. Illustrated with Crappy Pictures
Speaking of drinking, my neighbor, Sara, and I were talking about the relationship between drinking and parenting the other night. Over a glass of wine. While our kids were upstairs being suspiciously quiet. (We recently had to implement a new play date rule for the kids: no nudity. They are ages 3, 4, 5, and 6 – so don’t be too worried.) In any case, we decided that drinking wine actually makes us better moms. Or at least that’s what we tell ourselves. Read this article by Amber; she explains it better. Plus, there are cute little “crappy” pictures! (By the way, usually when I include a funny parenting-related story in a World Tour of the Web it’s because Sara sent it to me.)
Lodging Alternatives for Family Travel
by Jody Halsted, Blissfully Domestic
Alright, I am quoted in this post so it may seem a bit self-serving to include this story, but Jody makes some great accommodation suggestions for saving money and staying somewhere off-the-beaten-path when traveling with kids, including a couple of options I never would have considered.
Iowa Nice
by Iowa Filmmakers via YouTube
You think you know Iowa? Think again! This laugh-out-loud video breaks down the stereotypes you might have about this Midwestern state. (Warning for watching with kids in the room: this is the clean version, but there’s still one itty bitty curse word jammed in there.)
So, what say you? For or against American fast food when traveling? Love Iowa? Got a foreign cocktail you discovered on the road? Tell us about it in the comments below!
If you have a fabulous travel or parenting story to share, go for it! Just leave a link in the comments below.
Come back every Wednesday for a new World Tour of the Web!
Photo by Clarita. (Creative Commons)
Tags: drinking, fast food, Iowa nice, parenting, travel, wine
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