The Road to Speightstown

This is the first video I've ever made. It's not much but I like it. And I'm definitely going to make more. So comment, like, all that good stuff. Feel free to tell me how I can improve and what else I should do. 

Learning Mandarin

My family is taking a huge trip to the 'motherland' (China). Most of our families will be spending two weeks traveling from city to city, taking in the scenery, getting in touch with out roots and starting petty arguments. As much as I love my family, regular family lunches are enough. I'm pretty sure my travel zen will be put to the ultimate test on this trip. Regardless, one deep dark secret that has come out of the planning of this trip is that none of us speak 'chinese'. Most of our family is supposed to be cantonese but we don't even know mandarin. Which is part of the reason, collectively, we are the worst 'chinee people' ever.

To rectify this problem some of us decided to at least attempt to learn some mandarin before our trip, in order to resolve our family shame. Unfortunately, we are also poorly organized, so we haven't started classes yet. However, knowing three languages other than English is on my bucket list so I started learning regardless. In walks Rosetta Stone.

Rosetta Stone is a computer based, language learning system. It's expensive but supposed to be very effective. No doubt you've seen an ad for it, or been accosted at the mall by some sales person trying to convince you its better than sliced bread. Since I wasn't really sure how to start learning a foreign language like Mandarin, it seemed like the go-to place to begin. Biting off the hefty price tag is difficult but otherwise so far it seems to be worthwhile.

Except for one thing. I know I'm learning, but I'm not sure HOW I'm learning. Yes, I'm doing all the exercises. Yes, I'm getting them right. And Yes, I'm repeating the lessons I failed. But, how am I understanding them? It feels somewhat like a Jedi mind-trick. Where you look at some photos, repeat some gibberish, then all of a sudden beyond all uncertainty, you are positive that these are not the droids that you are looking for. Some characters are starting to look familiar and some are even starting to sound familiar but its definitely not sentences. And most of the recognition is more of a gut feeling than an actual certainty. Does this equate to understanding a whole other language? Granted I'm not even close to being conversational, but I'm pretty proud of my progress. On the other hand, since most of it is multiple choice, might just be good luck.

I guess only time will tell. If I'm able to engage in small talk without being abducted into the slave trade, I'd consider it money well spent. More than anything I just don't want to call someone a cow and then tell them about their mother.  Then I really will be the worst 'chinee' ever.

How about you guys, what do you do when you are traveling to a country that speaks a foreign language? Have you tried any language systems that actually work? Let me know in the comments down below.

And if you want to try Rosetta Stone, check them out here.

They've got loads of languages, and I think some of the online deals are even better than the ones they are peddling down at the mall. And if this all works out I may even try French next, gotta take advantage of those 2-4-1 deals.

UPDATE: We started and finished the classes. It was pretty sweet learning Mandarin with my family, this trip may not be a total disaster after all. Now we are just gearing up for our trip at the end of the month.

I Live Where You Vacation #3

Baubax Travel Jacket

Backpackers are constantly looking for multifunctional items. This jacket takes the cake. It's got features that I would never even think of, or really need; but I want it. Now. It's got:

• Neck Pillow
• Eye Mask
• Drink Pocket
• Microfiber Cloth
• Eyeglass Pocket
• Ipad Pocket
• Hand Warming Pockets
• Earphone Holders
• Phone Pocket
• Zipper, which is a Stylus and a Pen
• Passport Pocket
• Blanket Pocket
• Gloves
• and a Portable Charger Pocket

Im One Jacket. Thats like one piece of carry-on by itself. And they come in different styles; Sweatshirt, Windbreaker, Bomber and Blazer. I think its all incredible. Can't decide between getting the Sweatshirt or the Bomber.

I think thats all pretty cool and I'm getting one for sure. If you would like one too check out their kickstarter here. Worse case scenario, you have a cool jacket with a lot of odd pockets. So, which jacket are you going to order?

Update July 27 2016: Although the kickstarter has ended you can now purchase the jacket at ebags.com.

Crop Over

Kadooment is the carnival we have in Barbados. It is the climax of our Crop Over Season. It's the best. Crop Over happens every year during summer May - August. But Kadooment happens at the beginning of August. Crop Over was originally a festival to celebrate the end of the crop season. But now its mostly a reason to party and ge' on bad.

Everyone is in a great mood because they are all drunk and theres a bunch of new music encouraging you to sweat, drink and ben' over. Which is basically the perfect recipe for a good time. As my calendar goes, Crop Over is in the Top 3 Seasons of The Year.

Everyone is in incredible costumes, again drinking, sweaty and merry. I've never been to Trinidadian or Brazilian Carnival but theres nothing like a Bajan Crop Over. I missed last year because I was in New York, but I'm going to more than make up for it this year.

 Heres a video, one of my friends made of last year's jump. Enjoy. Be jealous. Come out this year.

If you want to keep up-to-date with the Crop Over happenings and goings on, check out the calendar for the season at www.barbados.org.

The music is one of the most important parts of Crop Over so fill your earholes with the music this year, with this Crop Over Mix. 

Discover Outdoors

Discover Outdoors is a New York adventure company who organize excursions. They are all about getting outdoors, being active and being adventurous. They've got activities ranging from photography classes in Central Park to African trips to help elephants.

So far I've gone surfing, rock climbing, weekend hikes and even a photography classes. Its a great time, all the hosts I've met so far have been great. One even popped my shoulder back in after I dislocated it. You meet a lot of awesome people and you can have a little adventure right outside the city. Being able to do these trips and get away from the city was a life saver for me. If I couldn't escape the concrete jungle I'd probably have gone crazy.

Even better they do charity work getting city kids active and outdoors. So by supporting them, you  might get a little good karma coming your way. Better yet, if you become a member you get returns on any trips you book for trips later on. Everybody wins. If you live in New York or just visiting and looking for a good time upstate, check them out at Discover Outdoors.

Don't Tell Me How Educated You Are