1.2 Free Airline Miles with $3,150 Worth of Pudding

For anyone who ever doubted if airline mile promotions are the real deal, check out the story of David Phillips, aka “The Pudding Guy.” 

Pudding on the Ritz

A true inspiration to collectors of airline miles and all frugal travelers!

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!

Cow’s Tongue – Traditional Portuguese New Year’s Day Meal

My mother-in-law annually prepares cow’s tongue for New Year’s Day. It is quite labor intensive as she needs to clean all the tongues and take the skin off. This year she made three tongues.

Fashion Design Schools in Lahore

I recently wrote a piece about where to study fashion design in Lahore. Check out the article if you’re interested in learning more, and be sure to add a comment if you know of any other good fashion design schools in the city.

Where to Study Fashion Design in Lahore

6 Months Later – The Pakistan Post Delivers!

This Wednesday July 8 – One Day Give

A friend of mine, Bethany Needham, has launched a campaign called One Day Give. The concept is simple: give one day of pay to those in need. In order to spur others on, the date of July 8, 2009 has been chosen as the “One Day” of giving. One Day Give does not take any money, but encourage you to donate to the organization of your choice and let others know who you donated to. There are a few website links, such as Bridge Builders, on the One Day Give website in case you need some ideas of who to donate to.

I’ve signed up, and I encourage you to as well! Give to any organzation, anywhere in the world, in any currency.

One Day Give

To the Land of Red, White and Blue

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but we are back in the US and currently working at Camp Brookwoods and Deer Run in Alton, NH. We had a few days with each of our families before we were off into the world of camp, and at my parents’ house they threw us a patriotic coming home party complete with red, white and blue balloons, delicious catered food, a variety of wines and a cake! It was so good to see some friends and family after being gone for two years, although we did have to rush a bit to get unpacked, packed and ready for the summer at camp. Here’s a pic of our welcome home cake!

2 Days in Bangkok for $100

Lodging

There are lots of places you can stay in Bangkok for 280 baht ($8) or less. Check out Asha Guesthouse ($8 for a private double, meaning just $4 per person per night) or Sukhumvit On Nut Guesthouse (205 baht for a bed in a 4-bed dorm). Use sites like Hostels.com to find the best option for you. If you’re traveling with a friend, you can get even cheaper deals by sharing a room. Set your budget around 280 baht per night for 2 nights to stay in the $100 overall budget.

Food

You can easily eat in Bangkok for 300 baht ($8.50) per day or less. Choose a hotel or guesthouse near a shopping mall and eat fresh, authentic Thai food for just 35 baht ($1) per meal. Both lodging options given above area near shopping malls. Small bottles of water from the 7-11 are only 7 baht (20 cents), so avoid paying double the price in tourist areas or restaurants.

Continue reading how to get the most for your money here

Sergio: The Stranded Traveler

Well it’s two days later and it looks like our surprise house guest may be in Lahore for a while. Our household has been a mix of communication between Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, some French words and English, and we haven’t been able to find the part for Sergio’s Fiat RV. Our landlord had the idea to purchase a whole new front suspension system from a Japanese vehicle and put it in place of the current suspension system in the RV. This would take less time than getting brake discs custom made, but would it even work? Sounds a bit risky when he’s got two continents to cover.

Discovering Bangkok

I think I’m starting to really relax for the first time since I arrived back on the subcontinent in July 2008. I forgot what it’s like to walk around outside without beggars following me everywhere, people pushing and shoving in line, and having absolutely no personal space. To the credit of the Pakistanis, there was a bit of drama yesterday at the airport when the courteous line-standers gathered together to make the notorious queue jumpers (line jumpers) get at the back of the line where they belonged. This was the first time I saw Pakistanis, most families, come together to put rude and impatient people in their place. I must admit I joined in with the courteous line-standers and asked a few people myself what line they were standing in. It just takes one person to say something, because everyone is bothered when they’re standing patiently in line for hours and impatient people just push and shove and go in front of everyone else like they’re someone important. If they think they’re that important, they should fly first class. Anyway, back to Bangkok.

Today I met up with another Associated Content producer and teacher, Fabletoo, and she helped me navigate Chatuchuk weekend market. It was incredible! There was just so many things to buy in so many colors and sizes. Shopkeepers weren’t pushy and nobody was noisily hawking his wares. Sellers offered discounts from the marked prices before we even asked for a deal. It was a very pleasant and relaxing experience! I did not feel uncomfortable or pressured at all while shopping. In Pakistan and India, I’m always tense because people stand two inches away from trying to “assist” me. This makes me feel SO uncomfortable that I generally make a beeline for the exit and don’t buy anything. Thais certainly give more personal space while shopping.

Chatuchuk Market is something you must see if you visit Thailand. It’s just overwhelming how much stuff is for sale, and the quality and presentation of everything just makes you want to buy more and more! Aside from all the clothing, accessories, and household wares, there a pervading aroma of street food being cooked up all around. Those of you who know me, know that I’m not much of a shopper, but I was so excited to see so many cool things I just didn’t know what to do with myself!