Blog

May 17, 2016: And flying used to be such fun — travelers dressed up, dined off real china, men wore ties, women looked sharp —  we seemed to have lost the “romance” of travel? Here’s a fellow traveler heading through the gift shop at SFO to board his flight for Paris. No wonder Americans have such a poor travel reputation worldwide!!! Zut alors!!!

May 16, 2016: Ok TC followers you’re in for a treat, as the TRAVEL CURMUDGEON is on the road to a couple of new destinations — Estonia and Finland — and then tea and scones with the Brit’s in Yorkshire. You’ll experience the highs, lows and characters we meet along the way — and plan to pick up some “general” travel tips that will help you no matter where and when you go. It’s all about the people and experiences along the way … stand by — the first post coming your way tomorrow and highlights the latest in international travel fashion!

May 12, 2016: No doubt to “capture world attention” as the upcoming Summer Olympics head to Brazil, a local investment group is working through the permit process to build an “adults only” theme park in Brazil. The park, to be called “Erotikaland” will be located near  and will feature a maze, water slide (really?), ferris wheel and a museum on the history of sexuality. The project has received opposition from local leaders and the public concerned about the racey theme. No word on attire or not?

May 11, 2016: San Francisco’s high tech start up YONDR may have come up with the answer to public cell phone use irritation and aggravation — a small lockable pouch bag where you place your phone and can’t get to it.  Self addiction to cellphone use is rampant — and especially bothersome at small and large concert venues, churches, airplanes and classrooms.  Various locations around the SF bay area are asking students or concert goers to give up their phones when entering the venue — then returning the phone to the owner in a locked bag that can only be unlocked when leaving the event or classroom.  Users initially complain about not having their phones but in the end enjoy the event or class with new unobstructed attention. They comment that using the Yonder pouch gives them a break from the outside cluttered self-important world.  One user noted “turn off-tune in”!!!

Today, Tuesday, May 10, is National Shrimp Day in the US. Shrimp is the most consumed fish in the country with each citizen downing nearly a ½ pound a year ( a whopping 11% yearly increase)! As the song goes — “shrimp boats are coming are coming are still coming!”

May 9, 2016: Most business travelers, at one time or another, have tried to sneak something on to their travel expense report — upgraded airline seat, fancy rental car, hotel beauty shop or haircut, etc. — but, according to a recent summary from a San Francisco management consulting group, items like plastic surgery, a new pet dog, a side of beef and even taxidermy, have been spotted on expense reports. Other inappropriate expenses include a cruise (wonder who the guest was?), lottery tickets (sounds fair if you split with your employer?), and the ever popular spa day. The survey does not say how many of the unusual expenses were approved!

May 7, 2016: McDonald’s is testing “Gilroy Garlic Fries” at several San Francisco Bay area locations — originated in the SFO area, these french fries are topped with garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese and salt.  The Gilroy Garlic Fries, named for the Gilroy, California City famous for it’s garlic crop and annual garlic festival (garlic on everything from ice cream to jello) might soon be available for take out at an airport McDonalds near you. While garlic does smell good — at times — not sure that’s a flavor we need to add to the inside of a packed airplane?

May 6, 2016: Burbank Airport, the popular Los Angeles regional (public and private plane) airport is rebranding its name to “Hollywood Burbank Airport” — it’s been called the Bob Hope Burbank Airport since 2003.  A few travel agencies east of the Rocky Mountains have  complained that the Bob Hope name “just isn’t doing it anymore” and influenced airport commissioners to change the name and spend a bundle of tax payer money on a new branding campaign.  The most enthusiastic cheers from the public for the new branding campaign came from the local branding agency that flew off with the multi-thousand dollar project fee.  Understand why the locals their don’t want to tag Los Angeles in the name — that adds even more confusion — but Hope, an iconic entertainment American legend and hero, lived and worked in the Burbank area for years — and there is more past and current television, movie and music studio history there than anywhere else in the area but nearby Hollywood.  Shame on you Burbank Airport Commissioners — find something more productive and less costly to do!