GOT-HENBURG?

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GOT-HENBURG?

You see that’s what happens when I take a two-week break from writing this newsletter: my titles get waaay more creative (just kidding). Now coming to the point: Gothenburg, Sweden: the world’s most forward-thinking city? Can’t say that I’ve been, but it’s certainly got me intrigued. I’ve been on a quest recently looking for cities that are healthy, vibrant, cultural, cool, community-based and a bunch of other criteria (being close to an international airport, for example – on account of all the travel!). From CNN: “Halfway between Copenhagen and Oslo, on a rocky Swedish coastline, lies the largest non-capital in the Nordics. Gothenburg has always played second fiddle to its big sister Stockholm. Historically seen as a lesser city — more Volvo-industrial Sweden than sexy Spotify Sweden — this salty seaport has spent the past few decades completely reinventing itself after the collapse of its vital shipbuilding industry in the 1970s. The Gothenburg of 2019 is a place where an old warehouse might be reborn as a food market, a boiler house as an art gallery and a slaughterhouse as an urban winery. The guts of its grittier past are now canvases on which to paint new ideas.”

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ONE WORD, TWO LS AND TWO AS: LLAMAS

Ever since my 12-hour adventure in Lima where I thought I could walk from the center of town to the Pacific like some sort of modern day conquistador (more like Don Quixote), I’ve dreamt of the perfect Peru trip (which I promised I’d do with a good friend of mine when the time was right). Even within just those 12-hours, there was so much to see, so much to taste, to experience, to feel – it was truly a unique place. And, if I had to be honest, reading this guide made me want to book my trip today! Check out this perfect Peru trip for all you Peru enthusiasts. From God Save the Points: “Take time to connect with the locals: Our time staying in the Sacred Valley was so magical and one of our favorite experiences was taking an afternoon to go on a guided hike through the valley with local Andean villagers and llamas through The Llama Pack Project. Not only did we get to learn more about the villagers’ way of life and get to hang out with the adorable llamas that they care for, but we also got to explore the local area, which is so pristine and picturesque! Not only was it lots of fun, but you also get to feel good about giving back, since the hike up the mountain is an exercise in helping to train the llamas.”

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IF THIS IS PRISON, TAKE ME THERE NOW

St. Helena. If I were, Napoleon, I would be like: “Yes, please!” First of all, very, I mean very, few people have even heard of it and those who have probably couldn’t easily find it on a map. But judging from the pics, it has this unspoiled beauty, and the best part at this point, they just inaugurated a new airport in 2016 (so now it won’t take “never” to get there) and there are now regular flights coming in from the Capetown, South Africa (and a new Newark to Capetown flight starting December 15 2019). Sign us up (yes, I mean all of you and me): “A tiny volcanic island located right in the middle of the South Atlantic, St. Helena is without a doubt one of the world’s hardest-to-reach places. In fact, its inaccessibility led the British to choose it as a prison island for Napoleon Bonaparte, who was exiled here in 1815. Napoleon never lived to make it off the island, but a new air service from New York is about to make this remote British possession that much easier for international tourists to visit — and to leave.” Just ignore those crazy South Atlantic winds – you’ll be fine!

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NEW RULE: 15% TIP ACROSS THE GLOBE FOR EVERYTHING

So, I know there are all these rules for tipping around the world and depending on which institution you’re visiting: a restaurant, a hotel, valets, etc. All these rules! I don’t know if I’m messing up the whole tipping system, but I go with a safe 15% for average service across the board and a little higher if the service is extra good. Worst case scenario, people are happy (and I’m poorer), best case scenario, you’re traveling somewhere where a buck goes a long way for someone. But if you insist on following the global rules, then this guide does a pretty good job: “Tipping varies from culture to culture and because of that, people in the service industry see a massive difference in pay scale, depending upon where in the world they live. Those with specific service jobs in some countries may be paid extraordinarily well, whereas those with the same professions in other countries are paid very little and are expected to earn the rest in tips, as part of their salary. Neither way is right or wrong; it’s just how each culture has developed and it’s their social norms. Even in the United States, where there is very much a tipping culture, people who live in the country tip differently – some still think that 15% is an adequate tip for your server whereas other will say starting at 18% is more appropriate nowadays, and some don’t tip hotel housekeeping at all, while others think a daily tip is a must.” Hm…I may have to reconsider my theory.

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OR…MAKE THEM SACRED AGAIN

The title of this particular article kind of irks me: “Take these Sacred Sites off your Bucket List.” One: a bucket-list sounds so life-ending. Two: Sacred Sites probably should never have been on any kind of list unless visitors are able to experience them in the utmost respect that should be given to that site by those who consider it sacred. Having said that, I get what Outside Magazine was trying to do here (don’t worry Outside, you’re still my favorite). There’s just so many visitors treading on these holy sites that some, like Uluru in Australia, Chichén Itzá (parts of it at least) in Mexico, and others are barring visitors from visiting them any more: “ In the Yucatán’s Mayan Riviera, home to boozy Cancun to the north and the ancient temple sites of Chichén Itzá to the west, the issue is as much about degradation as equity. Many of the most famous pyramids, including the Temple of Kukulcan, have been closed to climbing in recent years for the sake of preservation, but the larger issue is that Maya people are largely left out of the interpretation of the sites.” You’ll hear me say this a lot more: we have a responsibility, as travelers, to tread lightly in these places and respecting them with everything we’ve got.

Thanks,

Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
Keep Exploring!