This all began five years ago and now I intend on doing this for "The Next Five Years." It will focus on my travels, my thoughts, my photos, and my observations during the next five years. Much like my life, I am not sure what direction it will take. Enjoy the journey. - JJ
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Hey Buddy...the War is Over
I am a huge fan of history. Heck, I will probably volunteer for the National Park Service when I retire. I have never thought of dressing in full costume for reinactments. While in Charleston in May I ran across a group of people in Civil War period garb at Charleston's Waterfront Park.
CNN has an article about the possibility of Southwest assigning seats. Southwest basically has a "first come, first serve" type of seating policy. If you are lucky enough to arrive early then you get a premium seat. Arrive late and you will be in the middle seat between two Sumos. I have flown the budget airline only once. My only complaint was seating policy. Granted, it was the fastest I have ever boarded a plane, but it felt more akin to boarding a bus. My prediction is that Southwest will gain a larger market share with this change as long as they can maintain their high level of customer service and affordability while making the change.
Some people have a strong sense of self preservation. I am one of them. Granted there have been lapses in my judgment...sky diving, binge drinking in New Orleans, eating in truck stops along I-10, and driving in Atlanta traffic every day. Other than the occasional safety indiscretions I rarely do anything to put myself in harm's way. I am not one a person attracted to extreme sports. Or at least I thought so. While on Folly Beach near Charleston, I notice several people kitesurfing. Basically take a small wake board and strap on a large kit for propulsion. It looked like a load of fun. Knowing my luck I would crash face first into the shore and the kite would drag me for another 30 miles. Sure it might kill me....but I would be a blast before I died. I have added it to my list of things to do before I die.
I have always been fascinated with maps. As a kid I would unfold maps on my bed and stare at strange names on strange roads near strange rivers. I would wonder what kind of people lived there and why. I was amused by names like Talking Rock, Georgia and Gun Barrel City, Texas. Strangely enough I have been to both places not by choice, but by coincidence. For anyone interested there is a welcome sign in Gun Barrel City with ...well a gun barrel on it. Under it was some slogan that read "We shoot straight at you" or some other bullshit. Anyway, the point is I have always be fascinated by geography. I prefer to experience it rather than reading about it. Below are 15 places I would like to visit before I take the long dirt nap.
Americans are spoiled eaters. When discussing my travels abroad people often ask me if I tried any strange food. Well, "strange" is a relative term. Sea cucumber is strange to most Americans, but it has been consumed by hundreds of millions of Chinese for thousands of years. I figure if it didn't kill them then I would be fine.
I liked most of the items below. And by the way...none of it tastes like chicken.
Below is a list of strange food I have ingested.
1. Jellyfish 2. Horse 3. Beef Tongue 4. Beef Intestines 5. Various Avian Kidneys 6. Various Avian Gizzards. 7. Beef, Duck, Chicken Liver - I hate all of them 8. Ostrich 9. Alligator 10. Chicken Feet 11. Squid 12. Octopus 13. Ell 14. Sea Cucumber 15. Conch 16. Pig's Feet, Snout, Cheeks 17. Squirrel 18. Grasshoppers 19. Fish Heads 20. Raw Beef 21. Various Raw Seafood and Shellfish 22. Goat 23. Snails 24. Shark Fin 25. Birds Nest (Soup) 26. Skate Wing 27. Scrapple 28. SPAM 29. Velveta 30. Marmite 31. Frog Legs 32. Beef / Pork Brains 33. Turtle 34. Rattlesnake 35. Turducken 36. Nankotsu (chicken Cartlidge) 37. Mescal Worm 38. Gefilte Fish 40. Raw sea urchin roe 41. Tofu 42. Ox Tail 43. Bone Marrow 44. Turkey Necks 45. Limburger cheese - Okay. I didn't really eat this. I tried, but when I put it too my lips it smelled just like shit and I couldn't do it.
I will be traveling to a couple of my favorite cities this month - Charleston, South Carolina and Boston, Massachusetts. Both cities are known for their history, culture, night life, seafood, and strange accents.
These pics were taken at the Washington National Cathedral. The Cathedral is an amazing showcase of architecture and religious symbolism. Construction began in 1907 and was completed in 1990. After 83 years of construction there is still some ground work and landscaping yet to be finished. There are many interesting facts surrounding the Cathedral such as "The Cathedral sports what is probably the world's only Darth Vader sculpture in a religious building. During construction of the west towers of the Cathedral, developers decided to hold a competition for children to design decorative sculptures for the Cathedral. The image of Vader, sculpted by Jay Hall Carpenter and carved by Patrick J. Plunkett, was placed high upon the northwest tower of the Cathedral, fulfilling the role of a traditional gargoyle." What is even more surprising than the architecture was the fact that I was able to step upon hallowed ground without bursting into flames. The second pic reminds me of the mural in Milton's apartment in the 1997 movie "The Devils' Advocate."
The D.C. / Virginia area is home to one of the best burger joints in the country aka Five Guys. D.C. has plenty of top shelf restaurants, but what I really wanted was a Five Guys handcrafted bacon cheeseburger with a side of Cajun fires. Mmmm....now that's a meal. One taste of their burgers and I am reminded of why our simian ancestors threw down their bananas, climbed down out of the trees, and beat a cow into a tasty patty. Evolution never tasted so good.
Five Guys has a limited menu. They don't carry many items but what they do, they do very well. They offer hot dogs and a few other items, but I have never deviated from their bacon cheese burger. My challenge is not what to order, but how to customize my order. Sauteed mushrooms are a given, but should I order it with BBQ sauce or ketchup, mustard, and mayo? I place my order at the counter, grab a soft drink and find an open table. The combination of quality and affordability ensures that I will have to wait. Buckets of peanuts serve as an appetizer to hungry patrons. After cracking open a couple of fistfuls of peanuts my order is ready. A brown paper bag contains my customized cow creation. I tear into the bag like a six year old opening his first gift on Christmas morning. Why is it that some of the best things on earth come out of a brown paper bag? They made the burger, but I designed it. Once again my taste buds haven't been disappointed.
Five guys offers a selection of 15 free toppings including sauteed mushrooms, fried onions, green peppers, and hot sauce. The variety of toppings offer Foodies a chance to construct the perfect burger. Heat lamps, microwaves, frozen patties, and pre-cut fries are nowhere to be found. This is not fast food, but comfort food. Their dedication to quality has lead to many regional awards. I can't think of many burger joints I have frequented that have a Zagat rating.
For those living on the east coast be aware that Five Guys is expanding. The Atlanta are is slated for three locations.
