05.30.07
Posted in Event Recaps at 5:37 am by Misch
Kudos and thanks to those who attended tonight’s event despite the heat! And many thanks to folks who shared their travel slides and stories with us.
Caroline started us with Semana Santa in Guatemala; book buyer Holly took us 1,000 feet below Grand Cayman to look at amazing sea creatures; and Dewey introduced to beautiful architectural features of Iran. Paul took us swimming with whales in Tonga, while our map buyer, Timm, led us from London to Istanbul, with a long stopover in Cambridge. Stanley showed highlights of the Silk Roads from Uzbekistan through Samarkand and Kiva. Finally, Rick took us to Israel by bicycle AND back in time twenty years!
And we saved for you our 2007 Geography Trivia Challenge. This was a tough one!
1. Which country is home to more US expats than any other?
2. Which country gave birth to the “Big Brother” reality TV franchise (not US)?
3. In which city is St. Basil’s Cathedral?
4. Which film set in Venice told the story of a man driven mad by his ability to foresee death?
5. Which country has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan?
6. The currency of Iraq is called what?
7. In which city is the Hagia Sophia?
8. Which country features a Big Prawn, a Big Banana, and a Big Pineapple as roadside public art?
9. Which city is home to the most psychoanalysts per capita? (It’s not NYC)
10. Which country gave birth to the words bungalow, jungle, and cummerbund?
11. Which country is the world’s biggest manufacturer of zippers?
12. Is the world’s most famous zocalo in a) La Paz; b) Bogota; c) Caracas, or d) Mexico City?
And the tie-breaker (which didn’t break the tie):
Which country hosted the first World Toilet Expo?
And tie-breaker #2 :
What is the currency of South Korea?
…which also didn’t break the tie, so we all laughed and handed out three prizes.
SEE YOU AT TONY WHEELER ON JUNE 17, AND STAY TUNED FOR OUR FALL EVENT CALENDAR, RESUMING IN SEPTEMBER!
Oh, and I’ll try to remember to publish the quiz answers in a few days.
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05.29.07
Posted in Event Recaps at 8:10 pm by Misch
I’m lucky enough to have had a “chez moi” (”my place”), in Paris, and my tiny, frigid, rented paradise fueled a desire to own a flat there some day. Real estate transactions in France are do-able for Americans, but quite different than the U.S., as I learned with some friends who bought a fixer-upper chateau there.
However, Laurence Raybois, a part-time resident of both Seattle and France, prepped us for the process in her presentation. The biggest differences, we learned, are that in France you don’t deal with a title company; the inheritance laws are different; and taxation is different. She touched on a few points that she explores further in her book and her day seminars, including how to plan, what to consider if renting out a house, and how utilities are structured.
Laurence’s book is Chez Moi: The Foreigner’s Guide To Buying A Home In France, and her Web site at www.yourfrenchhome.com includes her seminar schedule and consulting services.
If you’re in the dreaming stages for now, you can buy a house vicariously in a number of good reads:
On Rue Tatin: The Simple Pleasures of Life in a Small French Town, by Susan Hermann Loomis, $14.95
A Pig in Provence: Good Food and Simple Pleasures in the South of France, by Georgeanne Brennan, $24.95
Peter Mayle’s non-fiction: Provence A-Z or A Year in Provence/Toujours Provence (boxed set, $26.00), for starters.
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Posted in Event Recaps at 8:07 pm by Misch
Bulgaria: who knew it was such a stunningly scenic country? I confess I didn’t know much about Bulgaria outside of some vague notions of hardy people and hearty food, but my Pacific Northwesterner’s eyes know some gorgeous mountains when they see them. Not super-steep or technical, just beckoningly beautiful, with streams, fields of wildflowers, maybe snow patches in early season (the ideal season between snow and heat being a short one).
John Osaki’s slide show was slim on information for the independent traveler, but rich on inspiration for those with the urge to climb every mountain, ford every stream. John takes tramping travelers to many destinations in Europe, including the Carpathians, the Pyrenees, and Madeira/the Azores, and will soon be adding Japan. For more information, check out www.WalkingSoftly.com
For independent trampers, we’ve got books to help you along:
Lonely Planet Bulgaria, $23.99
Rough Guide to Bulgaria, $21.99
Plus maps of Bulgaria by ITM and Cartografia, each at $10.95.
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05.22.07
Posted in Store News at 3:26 am by Administrator
Hooray for good press!
Our fine and venerable Seattle store was featured on the front page of the Business section of Saturday’s Post-Intelligencer, and there was even a great picture of our fearless leader…
Trip list — toothbrush, socks, Wide World Books
By KATHY MULADY
P-I REPORTER
Going somewhere?
For many, the first stop on their travel itinerary is Wide World Books and Maps, a traveler’s wonderland with a slightly misleading name.
While there are plenty of books and maps inside the Wallingford store, there are also shelves and walls full of gadgets and equipment to make your load a little lighter and your travel a little smoother.
The store opened in 1976, one of the first shops dedicated to travel books…
CLICK HERE to read the Full Article.
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05.21.07
Posted in Store News, Travel Journals, Terrell at 5:00 pm by Terrell
Well, I made it. I got to Dallas about 8:00 last night after a 12 hour drive from Taos. Let’s see, the last time we spoke I was just leaving Moab so…
Saturday’s drive took me southeast past more magnificent canyon country and then east up into the foothills of the San Juans in Colorado. It was a nice drive until I turned south from Pagosa Springs to head into New Mexico. Then it got really beautiful with high green meadows, wildflowers, Palomino ranches on both sides of the road (those horses are even prettier on green grass) and purple storm clouds shooting lightning at distant snow-capped peaks. I turned east on 64 to make my way towards Taos twisiting up a nearly deserted two-lane highway through the Carson National Forest. Maybe I should have paid more attention to that big gate that lets them close this road on a regular basis. I could see that the thunderstorm had dropped a lot of water here and then, as I drove higher, I began to notice white patches. Snow? Yes, indeed. Not just by the road, on the road! Fortunately, it was very slushy and didn’t last long.
I caught up with that thunderstorm right about on the outskirts of Taos and decided to not attempt the next driving segment in the rainy dark which proved to be a good decision in the morning. That evening I took a quick wander through historic Taos plaza which is still pretty but filled with kitsch.
Sunday morning I left early, anticipating the longest drive of the trip. The first part was fantastic with the road re-entering the Carson National Forest and twisting up into the mountains to Eagle’s Nest where I actually drove through clouds! So pretty and soooo glad I didn’t try it in the rain. The descent from the mountains took me into Cimarron Canyon State Park which was incredibly lovely. I saw seven deer! After the mountains, I hit flat, brown cattle country which I drove through as fast as possible. Made it to Dallas about 8 in the evening and managed to wake up in time to get the rental car back on time this morning. Great drive! Can’t wait to get the pictures back. I promise I’ll post a link to my Flickr account as soon as I get them uploaded.
Ciao, Terrell
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05.19.07
Posted in Store News, Travel Journals, Terrell at 1:45 pm by Terrell
Hi guys. It’s me again (Terrell). I’m just finishing my coffee in Moab before I head out for the day’s long drive. I spent yesterday afternoon at Arches National Park which, if you haven’t seen it, has lots of big red rocks. No, no, it’s really amazing. I shot about a roll of film. Hopefully some of the pictures will come out. It was pretty hot–around 90 degrees–and I’m not really used to the sun anymore so I stuck to short, easy hikes. No, I did not climb all the way up to Delicate Arch although I did make it to the upper viewpoint.
Evening in Moab was interesting. I went to find Ron’s diner but got the directions confused (two streets in this town and I got the directions confused) so I ate somewhere else before I found it. The whole town was a teeming mass of testosterone. I have never seen so many jeeps or such gnarly mountain bikes. The big exception was the colorful, single-file line of Miatas buzzing around town. This gang of car enthusiasts looked like those miniature cars Shriners drive in parades.
I’ve got two more days on the road with a lot of miles between here and Dallas, almost all on two-lane highways so I better pack up and get a move on.
Cheers, Terrell
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05.17.07
Posted in Store News, Travel Journals, Terrell at 4:24 am by Terrell
Hey guys! I’m in Salt Lake City with a decent wireless network so I thought I’d check in and let you know how the trip is going. I got a late start on Monday but had a nice drive down 7 close to Rainier. It’s a terrific driving road. Maybe Dimitri will lend me his Porche next time I try it. I had a nice visit with my nephew and his family at their new(ish) house in Portland. Tuesday was a long driving day but it was a great drive. I took 26 east through Gresham and Sandy (buttermilk doughnuts from Joe’s Doughnuts in Sandy, don’t miss ‘em) and up past Mt. Hood which was looking quite spectacular. The road through the Ochoco Forest was fabulous and almost deserted. I stopped at one point to get some pictures of the magnificent rock formations and all I could hear were birds and the bubbling roadside stream. The afternoon took me past the snowcapped peaks of the Aldrich Mountains on the way to a night spent in Ontario. Today I drove the incredibly boring interstate through southern Idaho as fast as possible although I did stop at this cool little gorge that ran right under the highway. I arrived in SLC about four and immediately set out to explore on foot. I located the library where I’m planning to go do some genealogy research tomorrow and then took a look in at the Tabernacle and took some pictures of the Temple. The gardens were lovely. I walked up the street and ran across the Catholic Cathedral which has a really magnificent painted interior.
So that’s the trip so far. Tomorrow I’m doing research and going to take a look at the lake as well as attending a rehearsal of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and then Friday I’m off to Moab and Arches National Park. See ya!
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05.11.07
Posted in Event Recaps at 6:55 pm by Misch
Trivia question: How long does it take to put up a ger, the wood-frame and felt home of Mongolian nomads?
Anyone who attended Tuesday’s event will tell you, it’s seventeen minutes.
We enjoyed a hearty turnout for Seattle resident Teri Akin’s photographs and narrative about her trip to Mongolia with the Snow Leopard Trust. The Snow Leopard Trust is dedicated to conserving the tiny, elusive population of snow leopards scattered across Mongolia, Khazakhstan, China, and India by working with local communities to develop alternate sources of income, notably beautiful wool handicrafts. Their adorable wool felt snow leopard, camel, and horse ornaments have been among our most popular holiday items.
Teri, who has studied with Photography Center Northwest for the last 3 years, traveled with the group for 4 weeks last September to document the projects, people, and landscapes. She spent 2 weeks in the Ulaan Bataar region, and 2 weeks near the Gobi Desert. Beautiful! (And bumpy: ladies, take the most supportive bra you can, no kidding.)
In support of the Trust, Teri offers her prints for sale and donates all proceeds. View them on her Web site at www.akinphotography.com.
For more info on the Snow Leopard Trust, please visit www.snowleopard.org. I look forward to bringing in the ornaments for the holidays. Until then, please stop by our next-door neighbor, Bonnie River, which offers many SLT handicrafts and other fair-trade goods.
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05.07.07
Posted in Store News, In-Store Events at 9:50 pm by Administrator
All events are held at our Seattle location, unless otherwise stated.
May 8th Tuesday 7 PM
A Month in Mongolia with the Snow Leopard Trust and Teri Akin
Last fall Teri Akin, a Seattle photographer who focuses her documentary work on traveling in developing countries while collaborating with a nonprofit for the local people’s benefit, journeyed to Mongolia with the International Snow Leopard Trust to photograph their community-based conservation program in remote areas of Mongolia. Staying with nomadic herder families in their gers (yurts), she and the SLT staff traveled in Russian jeeps to find the participant communities in far northwestern Mongolia and in the South Gobi Desert. Come and hear about this adventure and how this unique program helps protect the endangered Snow Leopard, raises a family’s income as much as 40% and empowers women. Teri will tell the stories of these extraordinary women and life in this amazing “new” country while treating us to extraordinary photographs.
May 15th Tuesday 7 PM
Tramping Bulgaria with John Osaki of Walking Softly Adventures
Come to the edge of Europe and discover exotic Bulgaria with John Osaki of Walking Softly Adventures. We’ll venture into the heart of some of the wildest mountain scenery left on the continent on the trails of the Rila and Pirin National Parks, ascend to gem-like lakes cupped in mountain basins, contemplate the frescoes that grace the walls and ceilings of the Rila Monastery, immerse ourselves in the peace of Rozhen Monastery and wander amid the strange sandstone pinnacles of the sun-soaked Melnik badlands. John and his wife Amy, both former National Park rangers, founded Walking Softly Adventures to share their passion for hiking the mountains of Europe. Introduce yourself to Bulgaria; a warm welcome awaits you!
May 19th Saturday 9 AM
Gutsy Women Travelers
Join us as we host an informal gathering for women to meet and learn from each other’s travel experiences and share wisdom learned from the road. Bring your coffee and your questions.
May 22nd Tuesday 7 PM
Chez Moi: Buying Your Dream House in France with Laurence Raybois
Drawing on personal experience and thorough research, Laurence Raybois, who grew up in Provence and spends part of her year there, provides a practical guide to every aspect of buying real estate in France. Laurence will talk about dealing with real estate agents, lawyers, and architects, as well as explain how to choose the right insurance, rent the property for profit, and avoid common cultural mistakes. Laurence’s book, Chez Moi, is now in its third edition and is the perfect way to find out everything you want to know about procedures, precautions and protocols!
May 29th Tuesday 7 PM
Slides & Tell: It’s Your Turn to Shine
Yes, we’re at the end of another season of WWB presentations and its time for our traditional wrap up session, Slides & Tell, where YOU get to be the star of the show. We invite customers to bring in five slides or digital images in a projectable format and a story that goes with them. We’ll have our annual geography quiz with prizes for the most knowledgeable travelers in the audience. Please call ahead so we know how many to plan for and where you’ll be taking us. We can also answer your questions about using our digital projector. 206-634-3453 or email us at travel@speakeasy.net. Come and be part of the fun!
June 17th Sunday (Time TBA)
Tony Wheeler, Co-Founder of Lonely Planet and Traveler Extraordinaire
Tony Wheeler will be here talking about his two new books, Bad Lands and Unlikely Destinations. Check back for details of time and place!
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05.04.07
Posted in Store News at 12:37 am by Misch
We’re trying out Nalgene’s new Tumbler, and it’s definitely going into my picnic kit.
It’s basically two 8-ounce plastic tumblers that nest into each other. Nested, it’s an insulated cup, which isn’t all that interesting…but pulled apart, it becomes two cups to share, and they fit together to become a shaker for your protein drink or (ahem!) apres-adventure cocktail. If y’all like it, then we may bring in the larger 12-ounce size as well.
The Tumbler ($6.99) is durable, has measuring lines in milliliters and ounces, and comes in Lime, Lilac, and Turquoise. And, if I may suggest, a lovely pairing with our Nalgene Flask ($9.95) with removable shot cap and Tekk Cutlery Set ($3.95), made of nearly indestructible Lexan. Safe for your carry-on luggage, too!
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