Some Good Advice and Truly Unusual Things on This Week's Fast Five!

 

Here we go!!!

1.    Persepolis, Iran.  This is one of those Persian places that we never hear about, because it's in Iran.  Being an American, I'd never really thought about it, or the importance of this site.  Now, I'm not saying you should run right out and go to Iran, particularly if you're an American, but this is an interesting site.

Built in 518 BC as a symbol of unity, this city was largely built on a man made pad.  That's right; cement of some kind.  A couple of centuries later, Alexander the Great came along and burned it to the ground.  What remains is some of the best preserved Persian ruins around.  It went by the wayside and wasn't discovered again until the 20th century.  Now, it's an archaeological site that is open to the public, whether there are a lot of the public to visit or not.

If you were to visit Iran, this still wouldn't be the easiest place to visit.  You'd have to take a tour with a guide.  It's  nowhere near the cities we've heard of like Tehran.  If you really love a good adventure though; this is unmatched.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/114/

https://aspirantum.com/blog/all-about-persepolis-iran

https://www.britishmuseum.org/blog/ancient-city-travel-guide-persepolis-500-bc

https://isac.uchicago.edu/collections/photographic-archives/persepolis/persepolis-terrace-architecture-reliefs-and-finds

https://www.persepolistrip.com/

2.    Ways to visit the Maldives.  Most of us have always heard about those magnificent over water bungalow resorts on private islands in the Maldives.  They have so many perks and privileges that there's no way to list them all.  You pay exorbitant prices to be pampered and feel like kings and queens.  It sounds great, but what if you want to visit say every country in the world and you don't want to spend all that money?

Just a reminder; the Maldives is also a country.  They have cities and public islands and public places.  You can even take public transportation if you like.  You can cook for yourself if you want to.  There are almost 400,000 people living in the smallest country in Asia.  There are 1,200 islands and the capital is Male.

They have politics, a medical system and everything else a country is expected to have.  They just live in the Indian Ocean in absolute paradise.  So, don't think you have to go to a resort to visit this tiny country.  If you look; you'll find plenty of other options.

https://visitmaldives.com/en 

https://www.alexinwanderland.com/48-hours-in-male-maldives/

https://www.livemoretravelmore.com/male-island-maldives-capital/

https://www.budgetmaldives.com/maldives/maldives-capital/

https://www.expedia.com/Male.dx2343

3.    Izmailovo Kremlin, Moscow, Russia.  Once again, you may not be planning to visit Russia anytime soon.  I'm not.  But this place is interesting.  Let me start by saying there are not two Kremlins in Moscow.

Back in the late 1990's the Russians decided to build themselves an entertainment spot, and they decided that it should look like grand old Russia.  There's a lot to do inside this kremlin, but it's in no way a fortification.

There are activities, food, and shopping.  There's a lot to look at.  It's easy to get to by bus or metro.  And, in the Russian winter, it's nice to have somewhere to go and something to do.  It is a one of a kind constructions with more traditional Russian designs than you can shake a stick at.  Once again, you probably aren't thinking about visiting right now, but it looks as though Moscow's other Kremlin is there for the foreseeable future.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/izmailovo-kremlin

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298484-d4569243-Reviews-Kremlin_in_Izmailovo-Moscow_Central_Russia.html

https://russiaeguide.com/izmailovsky-kremlin

https://www.izmailovo.ru/en/entertainment/attractions/kreml-v-izmaylovo/

https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/destination/russian-federation/moskva/izmailovo-kremlin

4.    What do you need to know about using public transportation?  This is a question I'm asked all the time.  I love public transport; I use it all the time.  I've all but given up driving when I travel.  What do you need to know?

First, put away your google maps.  Follow the signs.  A good sense of direction will be of no use to you on a subway.  Second, always look for updates.  Things change.  Routes change and stations are remodeled.  Rates change.  Cleaning crews come out at night.  There's a lot going on all the time whether it's buses, trains, or subways.

Here's something that I always tell people in the city.  Don't forget to enjoy your travels.  There's artwork in the subways.  There's fantastic views from platforms.  There are magnificent train stations.  Take time to enjoy your trip; no matter how you travel.

Long list short; pay attention to what's right in front of you and take time to enjoy the trip.  That's the best answer I have to how do I ride public transportation.

https://www.mta.info/

https://usahello.org/life-in-usa/daily-life/public-transportation/

https://www.cttransit.com/how-ride

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/using-public-transport

https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/travel/planning/using-public-transportation-while-traveling.htm

5.    Bansko, Bulgaria.  I said it.  Some town in Bulgaria you've probably never heard of.  Well, it's what I do.  Bansko is a playground in Bulgaria.  They ski in the winter and play on those mountain slopes in the summer.

South of Sophia, the capital, lies this sleepy little Alpine town that loves to have a good time.  They love tourists no matter what time of year.  Bulgaria is a largely overlooked tourist destination.  But if you take the time to check into it, you'll find out that it's budget friendly, has a lot to do, and great food.  Did I mention how beautiful it is?  You might just feel like you're in Switzerland.

This is that not quite discovered yet spot where you can have a great time at a great price and meet some fabulous people.  

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g318870-Bansko_Blagoevgrad_Province-Vacations.html

https://www.banskoski.com/en

https://luckybansko.com/bansko/

https://www.banskonomadfest.com/

https://www.jackandjilltravel.com/things-to-do-in-bansko-summer/

There you have it.  Undiscovered, odd, out of bounds, and just plain good advice.  A little bit of everything this week for the travel curious.

If you'd like to see what I'm up to in my spare time here in the Northeastern US; check out my YouTube Channel, also Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon

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Enjoy!

And Then There's That Day When You Have a Great Experience...In Bay Ridge, Brooklyn!

 

I've been to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn in New York before.  I loved it there.  That why I decided to come back when me and some friends on a girl's night out needed a place to stay.  What is it that attracts me to this neighborhood?

I've been to a lot of inner city neighborhoods, and most of them are nice and fun to be fair.  The way I travel leads me to check out neighborhoods over tourist attractions all the time.  There's just something about Bay Ridge.  It's diverse and pleasant.  Everybody's hard at work all the time, and if they're not; they're chatting on the streets to their friends and neighbors or having a barbecue with their families.

It's a community that has several nationalities, religions, ethnicities.  When I show up in their neighborhood, everyone acts like I'm just another local.  Everyone is open, friendly, generous, and truly amazing.  Needless to say, when you travel in an extremely large metropolitan area; you don't always get anything close to the kind of hospitality that you get in Bay Ridge.

We stayed at the Gregory.  It's a Best Western these days, but it's over 100 years old.  The first time I stayed here, I was looking for an inexpensive hotel in New York and it won.  When I got there, I decided that I would come back and I have a few times.  It's quiet, clean, comfortable, and the staff are amazing.  

When me and my two friends asked for a rollaway bed, they had it to us in 10 minutes.  The website said there was a surcharge, so we were okay with that.  They set up the bed, made the bed and gave me extra pillows.  The people who work at this hotel are some of the most pleasant people I've ever encountered at a hotel.  The next day when we checked out, they told us that we were so nice that we shouldn't worry about paying for the rollaway bed.  How awesome is that?  We got breakfast too.  It's a wonderful place.  I will be back again, soon.

We were in town to see the Lion King, but before the play, we wanted something to snack on.  Between our hotel and the subway station, there was a restaurant called Karam.  It was Lebanese.  We went in and were greeted like we were family.  The wonderful staff helped me choose something delicious that was just the right size for a snack.  The food was so delicious.  They gave us a bunch of samples of the food.  They joked with me and made me feel at home.  It was a wonderful experience.

After our snacks, we were on our way.

We had a great time at the play.  We made our way back to the Gregory and had a nice rest.  We had a little breakfast and then we were on our way home.  But, then we made the best decision ever.

We stopped at Qawah House next to the subway station.  This place specializes in several Yemeni items.  I'd heard that Yemen was known for its coffee and honey, but I'd never tried any of it.  That was the day, and everything I've ever heard was dead on accurate.  The coffee was so good that I could drink it black.  That's never been the case for me before.

We entered this coffee house and we were greeted like family once again.  We talked, we joked, we asked questions and they answered them.  We were there for an hour and a half.  They gave us sample pastries, sample coffees and teas.  They sat at the table and chatted with us.  We decided to take a later train just to continue to hang out at that place.

You don't get that at Dunkin.  Sorry Dunkin.

Did we spend way more than we thought?  Sure.  But, did we have the time of our lives just getting coffee?  Yes.  Hats off to the people at the Qawah House on 4th Avenue and 86th Street in Bay Ridge.  You are hands down the best place I ever stopped for coffee.

So, as you can tell, there are many reasons why I like Bay Ridge.  I was only there overnight this time and that was the experience I had.  I've never been to a more engaging, outgoing, friendly, generous, genuinely full of good people neighborhood in my life.  I truly believe it is one of the best neighborhoods in all of New York.

Enjoy!

https://qahwahhouse.com/

https://karamny.com/

https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.33124.html?iata=00171880&ssob=BLBWI0004G&cid=BLBWI0004G:google:gmb:33124

https://www.nyctourism.com/new-york/brooklyn/bay-ridge/

https://www.cityneighborhoods.nyc/bay-ridge

https://streeteasy.com/neighborhoods/bay-ridge/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60827-Activities-zfn20361272-Brooklyn_New_York.html

https://www.untappedcities.com/secrets-of-bay-ridge-brooklyn/

Check out more about this coming soon on my YouTube Channel, "Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon!"

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To Navigate Subways, You Need To Do This!

 

I've been riding the rails for many many years.  However, I wasn't always the aficionado that I am today.  It took a lot of practice and a lot of learning.  Subways are something that need to be learned unless you grow up with them.  It's kind of like learning a language.  English I grew up with, the others took some  work.

The truth is, I used to have a hard time getting around New York City on the subways.  True, it's advanced subway riding, and it isn't always easy to make sense of all the different lines, the times, the switches from peak to weekend, the substitutions for work zones, and so on.

The one thing that I learned while traversing New York City for years was this.  Give over your sense of direction.  That's right.  Most of us who grew up outside the city and its lifestyle, carefully honed our sense of direction as we aged, and we're proud of that sense of direction.  Unfortunately, it has no place in subways.

The world of the subway is something completely different from the world above ground.  When you're in the subway, you've become mole people.  You see shops designed to help you make your way underground.  You see ads for things that you must return to the surface to enjoy.  You must follow signs and trust in your handlers to get you where you're going.  It's a lot for any of us who have ever prided ourselves in knowing which way to go and how to get somewhere.  It's a completely different world.

For example, I normally go into Grand Central Station in New York and transfer to the subway system.  it's a perfectly normal way to travel in Manhattan.  However, there are about a thousand ways to navigate through that terminal.  It's huge.  I've found myself in all kinds of places that I never knew existed.  This is where handing over your sense of direction comes in handy.

I learned to just follow the signs.  I know what train I need to catch.  I know the color and the number or letter.  I know the stop I need to arrive at for my activity.  I used to worry about which way it was.  Just follow the signs, people.  Are you going the way you think you are?  No.  But that's all right.  The subway is designed to get you to your final destination.  Trust is what you need.  

Believe me, you'll find passageways, stores, odd connections to other stops and different sites around the city.  Your train might go right across the Manhattan Bridge.  It might come up above ground in Brooklyn.  It might go up and down.  It can be unnerving if you're not used to the world from that perspective.  I can't say it enough.  Just follow the signs and trust the system.  It will get you where you're going.

Another piece of advice I can give is to use the maps in the stations.  It's great to have everything on your phone and I always do.  But those maps in the stations are big and easy to look at.  Sometimes, as old as the idea is; a big giant map can be helpful.  Just make sure it's up to date.  The one in the picture above isn't.  That could really cause trouble and it has for me.  By the same token; the maps on your phone might not be timely.  Google can be wrong.

I've ridden public transportation in 7 countries and five major cities in the USA.  I've learned a lot.  First of all, I like it.  I like not having to try to drive in Washington DC or Boston; and I will not drive in New York City ever.  I like following signs and letting someone else take me where I want to go.  It's very freeing.  Try it and see.

Just remember, whether it's a subway, a train, a tram, a bus, funicular, elevator, cable car, or even the Staten Island Ferry; let them do the worrying.  Follow the signs and let someone else do the work.  It's way easier to get out of the rat race than to try and drive in a major metropolitan nightmare.  And remember, some places you can't drive to anyway.

So, sit back, relax, don't worry about your sense of direction, follow the maps and the signs, and Enjoy!

https://www.mta.info/

https://www.mbta.com/schedules/subway

https://www.hel.fi/en/urban-environment-and-traffic/getting-around-helsinki-tips-for-newcomers

https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/plan/transport/public-transport

https://www.visitstockholm.com/travel-info/public-transportation-in-stockholm/

https://www.wmata.com/

https://visitreykjavik.is/public-transportation

https://www.transitchicago.com/

https://www.mtl.org/en/city/visitor-information/getting-around

https://www.introducingporto.com/metro

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https://www.instagram.com/ninakindred1/

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Off to Find Some More Great Things!

 

I've spent a lot of the summer out finding interesting things close to where I live; mostly in New York.  It's been a lot of fun, and you can always catch the little videos I put on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466

I've learned a lot about videos, and even more about New York City.  I will be taking a little time away now to go and find some interesting things to talk about in a new place for me.  I won't be long.  You'll probably see the first of the blogs next week.

I do so love to travel, so I will mention one thing for you from my regular visits to New York.  It's called OMNY.  It's their new system for the subway and buses, along with the Roosevelt Island Tramway.  It looks like something completely different, but I assure you; it's no big deal.

You can tap a credit card or Apple Pay and all kinds of things, as long as you use the same method all the time.  This way, it will only charge you up to $34 a week.  It's nice, but it's not as big a deal as it seems.

I just got an OMNY card and loaded it like I always used to with the MetroCard.  The only real difference is that it taps instead of swipes.  The system will quit charging your OMNY card after $34 a week as well.  

Let me just say that hat's off to New York.  You're way behind in the subway game, but good for you for catching up.  Europe has had a tap system for some time, and I believe a lot of Asian systems do as well.  

This is the only difference you'll really see.  The one nice thing about the new system is that you can use a single card to pay for up to 4 people at a single station together.  I tried it.  We couldn't go through the exact same turnstile, but we could in fact use the same card at the same time.  I like that.

As I've spent a lot of time in New York this summer, I've seen that they're doing a lot with the metro system to provide a better experience for the customer.  Thank you, New York.  It was really time.

If you want to check out some of the interesting things both new and old about the New York Subway; check out my channel.  

https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466

So, stop into New York and check out the new stuff.  It's pretty cool after all, and it's all for the customers.  Take advantage of that.  It doesn't happen often in my world.

Check back next week and I'll see what I can have here for you, and Enjoy!

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https://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-unveils-first-fully-redesigned-subway-map-half-century

https://omny.info/

https://www.mta.info/

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