Belize and Guatemala

The Lonely Planet Effect and Why I Still Love a Good Guidebook

I just booked my first trip to Central America- I can't wait! Not only are we leaving soon (as in December 5 soon), but I also get to partake in my second favorite part about traveling: pre-departure planning. Besides actually being there, the preparation leading up to the big trip is one of my favorite things in the world. I always start with the book. I swear by a good guide book. Not only does it offer a sense of security when you are lost down a dark alley in say- Chinatown in Malaysia, but it also offers a glimpse of knowledge about the history and culture of your destination. A good guidebook will sparks my interest in towns and cities that I haven't heard of, and allows me to research them before taking off to a far away land. I just picked up the Lonely Planet Central America on a Shoestring comprehensive guidebook. I wanted to splurge for one specifically for Belize and one for Guatemala- but couldn't justify the price difference of $24 for the complete guide vs $20 each for the individual ones. Not that the comprehensive one is bad, but I have found that they lack some of the candid explanations and walking tours that I love.

Free Taco Tuesday and $8 Pitchers

Last night Mitch and I ate at Freebirds for their advertised "Free Taco Tuesday". It was late- so luckily no line, and it was exactly as expected. One free taco, on a Tuesday. It was a great ploy on their part though, because after seeing my one lonely taco- I promptly ordered 2 more, chips and queso, and a pitcher of $8 Dos Equis. I am not mad however, because the tacos were delicious. To spice things up a bit (and make them taste as different from my normal burrito order as possible) I had one of each, Chicken, Steak and Pork Carnitas. The latter was my ultimate fave- which surprised me as I don't normally order pork. All washed down with one very cheap pitcher of import beer, and you can call me Happy. :)

Milestones and Big Diamond Rings (not for me)

I still can not believe that my best friend in the entire world is engaged. ENGAGED. Even typing the word is weird. I just about crashed my car last night when I saw her text. How exciting. I guess I knew it was coming, there were subtle (and not so subtle) hints along the way, like her boyfriend asking her Dad's permission...I just thought he was taking care of it for later. In my mind it was going to be way later. I met Amy in 8th grade, or that is when we really bonded, at a concert, and we never looked back. We have done all of our important growing together, high school, boys, college, and now life after college. And now she is engaged. WOW. It is going to take me a while to get used to this. CONGRATS Amy...love you.

ACL - Don't go without your Sherpa

ACL was amazing. Regardless of the monsoon that flooded Zilker on Saturday- this might have been my favorite one yet. Even after standing in the terrible muggy heat for over an hour to watch Passion Pit from 10 rows back, nearly fainting from heat exhaustion and being covered in mud. It was all worth it.

Highlights from who I saw:

Phoenix- blue sky, green grass, cool breeze, #1 for overall experience including weather

Thievery Corporation- not much to say other than Friday was awesome.

Kings of Leon- sounded amazing- near record quality, #5 for overall show experience

Airborne- first show of the day, before the monsoon.

Bon Iver- Mellow and quiet after standing in the pouring rain for 45 minutes- surreal

STS9- Amazing. Great crowd, great music, even in the rain.

Ghostland- UT band on stage, awesome move. Add in glowsticks=overall goodtime

Passion Pit- Up front, stage center. Great show.

Girl Talk- Perfect way to end ACL 2009.

Fabi & Rosi for Austin Restaurant Week

Dined at Fabi and Rosi last night a group of girl friends. It is in a cute house where the old Zoot used to be, right off of Lake Austin Blvd. I loved the decor (and the waiter said ALL girls do), it has a black and white motif with funky one off pieces like a stuffed deer head and crystal globe-ornaments hanging over a partition with lights twinkling inside. Our table was one of three in the back room, and overall it was great. A little noisy after a couple of glasses of wine, mainly because of the obnoxiously loud table sitting by us. Our food was good- and the Restaurant week menu noticeably varied. I chose the pork belly appetizer salad with spinach, walnuts, pears and blue cheese which was a leap for me. I had never had pork belly before and it was super salty and rich- maybe too much so looking back at the dish, but pleasant at the time. For the main I chose the Lemon Verbena Ravioli with a prosseco cream sauce and crawfish tails, and had the rich chocolate mouse for dessert. 2 glasses of vino later- and I was ready to go to bed. All in all a place I would go back to, if nothing else to have a glass of red out on the cute patio in front.

Wedding Season in Sealy, Texas

Heading to Sealy, TX for a good friend's wedding. Can't wait to see all the girls there. I have the job of cutting the groom's cake and handing out sparklers....hope I don't burn myself!

First Thursday and Mighty Cones

I had my first run in with a Mighty Cone this past Thursday.  And I must say, although I didn't L-O-V-E the food, the bright cherry red lacquered picnic tables do present a fantastic seat for people watching.  Looking back down South Congress from my front row seat was possibly my favorite moment of the night- well that and when my food finally arrived at Gueros......

Perpetual Traveler

This afternoon I am off to New Orleans to meet some girlfriends from college. In order to get my day started I went for a long run before the sun even came up. Even though i hate waking up early- it is one of my favorite times of the day. The morning calm.

Sushi for breakfast at the Tsukiji fish market

One of my favorite things about Japan was the absolutely delectable fresh sushi. I love immersing myself in a culture while traveling, and I find one of the best ways to do that is to eat like the locals do. In Japan that meant hot miso soup, rice and even sushi for breakfast.

Office Space

Sometimes I feel like smashing a copier.

Thai Food Celebration

To celebrate my new job, and just for an excuse to eat out, we went to Thai Tara on 6th.  I have been there before and had AMAZING (for Austin) Tom Kha soup...one of my all time favorites from traveling in Thailanad.  This time I had the Tom Yum, which was pretty spot on, but still not as good as the coconut goodness the Tom Kha delivers.  :) We also tried the "special price" Special of the day...which was very similar to a curry.  I have to say, for all of the Thai places I have tried in Texas..this is one of my faves.  

South Congress Cafe

This weekend I experienced the brunch phenomenon at South Congress Cafe for the first time. I had heard that people flock there, and have seen the lengthy line building up outside on weekend afternoons but my first time to step foot inside was this Saturday. My parents were in town, and I try to pick a new place every time they visit. I don't think I have ever seen such a good looking bloody mary, with the tall celery stalk, banana pepper, olives and a lime wedge garnishing the top of the tall glass. But, since I was in the company of my parents, I opted for a coffee in one of the cool mugs that sit on slanted saucers. I had the Migas....always my go-to choice on a weekend morning/afternoon. They did not disappoint. Very cheesy, almost omelet-like and the tortillas were doughy and warm, just perfect. And the refriend black beans had a surpising kick to them, very yummy. My mom had the carrot cake french toast- AMAZING...but very sweet- more cake like than what I am used to. My dad opted for one of the specials, I can't recall what it was but he loved it as well. I would say it was an overall success....and the best part is you get to be right in the middle of one of the best weekend-people watching locations in town.

Food for thought

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bow lines, sail away from safe harbor. Explore, Dream, Discover!" Mark Twain

Such a tease...

My new job is such a tease. Working for a luxury travel company seemed like a good idea, until I realized I would spend all day surrounded by amazing trip opportunities, and not be able to afford any of them.


www.andrewharper.com

TGIF

Thank goodness it's Friday. The way my day started out yesterday made me think the rest of the week would be horrible, but luckily, my bad luck was concentrated. Within 30 minutes I had slammed my car into one of the concrete poles in my parking garage, spilled my coffee all over my work folder and dress, and almost sideswiped a Jeep, all in unrelated incidents. I am convinced I was still asleep, like I was watching it happen to someone else. So yesterday was not a good one, today will be. :)

Back in the US of A

Missing the sunsets in South East Asia

Home again...sort of. Back in The States I should say, because I actually don't feel at home at all. There is a big part of me longing to return to Australia. I know that as soon as I see my old friends, and start a new job I will start to feel more like myself, but right now I feel very torn between two worlds.

I live in a hostel.

My new home is a hostel in Glebe.

Amys Trip to Australia!

Video in Sidebar

Check out my video post in the sidebar...Amy and I took that video when we were in the Hunter Valley wine tasting with Mitch!