Poll Results: "The Tourist" vs. "The Resident"

A bit ago, we asked what we believed to be a valid question: How many days / months / years must you spend in one spot to say you "lived" there? It's the important distinction that separates the embattled "red" vs. "blue" colors on our map. Many kind people answered our poll and there was a clear-cut winner (results after the jump), but like many things in life, the original question begat more questions until we learned something different altogether:

Je ne sais quoi.

That is, in other words, it's probably in the "how" -- not the "how many."

While you may wish to use an arbitrary length of time to qualify your experience in another place as having "lived" there, many -- if not most -- people believe it's more about feeling that causes you to say "Hey, yeah, I live here."

But how do you achieve that feeling? We had a ton of thoughtful responses -- many travelers took part in certain habits that made them feel at home. Find those and the final poll results after the jump.

Study Abroad Links: Korea's Student Diaspora, U.S. Students' Defection Abroad And More

Studying Plato is much cooler when you're in another country. And the year 1994. (Marquette University via flickr)

Some links to satiate the starry-eyed students abroad and those looking to join them:

• U.S. prep schools are pushing hard for enrollment from the "parachute kids" in East Asia, where American diplomas are still prized. (Washington Post)
• In related news, one of Korea's most popular young actors, Shim Eun-Kyung, has opted to head to the United States to study abroad ... in Pittsburgh. (Dramabeans)
• Facing tough job prospects at home, more U.S. interns than ever are heading abroad to gain work experience. (BusinessWeek)
• Seven Boston University physics students were on hand to watch the successful particle collision at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland. (BU Today)
• The University of Florida has unveiled a summer study abroad program in Istanbul, Turkey, partnering with the English-speaking Sabanci University.
• The scary side of studying abroad: Two Penn State students studying in St. Petersburg and three others touring from Berlin are safe after the suicide bombing attacks in Moscow. (The Daily Collegian)

Space Tour Completes Its Maiden Voyage

 

Virgin's Richard Branson and designer Burt Rutan (by Dave Malkoff at Flickr)

Uhh...  I think we're gonna need a bigger map. Our developer Craig may have to increase Where I've Been's zoom scale by a couple hundred thousand miles, to be exact. Luckily for him, there aren't any intergalactic restaurants just yet (that we know of).

Virgin Galactic's six-person sub-orbital space craft, called the VSS Enterprise, lost its space virginity last week, officially solidifying the science-fiction world we live in. It was just a test-run for the company's plan to pump out minutes-long space tours beginning in 2012.

Virgin has already collected $45 million in deposits from a bunch of those "When I grow up, I want to be an astronaut!" people. Isn't keeping $200,000 and watching Star Trek enough? Apparently not: By 2021, travel analysts predict that demand will increase to 13,000 passengers per year.

Spacefare costs $200,000 per 'naut, with an additional $10,000 for every checked bag (okay, not just yet).

Four Top Baseball Stadium Renovations For 2010

 Redland Field, the precursor to Crosley Field, Cincinnati (Wikipedia)

On May 24th, 1935, beginning with a ceremonial button-pushing miles away by President Franklin Roosevelt, Cincinnati's Crosley Field was the first stadium to install lights in their ballpark. The night at the ballpark tradition was born, its first few marked by on-field drunken debauchery and burlesque dancers posing as players. After the buzz wore off, with the new stadium came a renewed interest in the club; the Cincinnati Reds went on to host the All-Star Game in 1936, then won their first pennant in 20 years in 1939 and their first World Series championship a year later.

In 1988, the Chicago Cubs were the last team in the majors to install stadium lights. They have still not won a World Series in more than 100 years.

Just a coincidence, right? Nah -- it's probably just a cursed goat or something.

Whether it builds team mojo or not, team executives bluster about their state-of-the-art stadium renovations year after year in hopes of stoking fan interest. Let's take a look at four major stadium additions and changes and decide whether or not it'll help the team in question, and whether it'll make the stadium worth a road-trip visit.

4. Progressive Field
Cleveland Indians
I've Been to Cleveland / I Want To Go to Cleveland

(Photo by fusionpanda at Flickr)

What's new for 2010: Aside from the entire team? Attendees are going to need any diversion they can get from this year's Indians squad, who were forced to trade away overpriced veteran stars for future talent. Fans can now put off their future championship dreams in the newly-installed FanCave, a massive suite in the outfield for 12 people with six high-def screens, a beer fridge, sports-themed furniture (hopefully a glove-seat), pool and ping-pong tables, and arcade games. And all this costs but a cool $3,900! Per game! To be fair, that's only a shade more than my average night at Dave and Buster's.
Worth a road trip?: It's a nice field if you have an open weekend and your team is in town, but you might be better off heading to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Prediction: Some dude pays $3,900 just so he can utter the phrase "...To the FanCave!"

#TravelTuesday Roundup: 3/30

This is where we sit back, relax, and take stock of the fine frenzy that is #traveltuesday every week. Be sure to follow us (@whereivebeen) for all the best news and tips. I'll update this as it happens. Happy TravelTuesday!

Best Deals of the Day

• LAN Airlines is offering round-trip airfare to South America starting at $379. Yowza! Act fast! (TravelZoo)
• CheapCaribbean is offering four nights and airfare in the Bahamas for $299. That's 70% off the normal price -- not too shabby, eh? (TravelZoo)

Top Six #TravelTuesday Stories

1. Where in the world can you scrape by on less than $25 a day? At least eight places, apparently. Stretch that budget! (Lonely Planet)
2. Google announced "Around the World in 25 Themes," a plethora of lovely travel themes for your iGoogle page, roping in superb designs from bigwigs like National Geographic, LIFE, UNESCO, Lonely Planet and more. (GoogleBlog)
   
   
   

Interview: Darren Garnick of Tacky Tourist Photos

Practice what you preach: Tacky Tourist Photos curators Darren Garnick (left) and Ilya Mirman (right) make a lonely Elvis impersonator's day.

Darren Garnick is one of the creators of Tacky Tourist Photos. It's a self-explanatory title if there ever was one: Darren and his fellow curators gather submissions of the most shameless poses committed by travelers abroad -- an "art" that will undoubtedly make some travelers cringe, particularly ones who champion "authentic" experiences. But that raises other questions: Should we always seek to avoid what is "cliche" when we travel? What does it even mean to have an "authentic" experience? Darren addresses these questions as well as his site's famous family ties, his favorite user-submitted photos, and if a book deal lies in his future.
 
How did the idea for Tacky Tourist Photos come about?

A lot of people dread looking at other people's vacation photos. We find them to be fascinating, a window into the human soul. We love people who imitate the poses of statues, stick their heads inside wooden pictures of mermaids or embrace any costumed mascot they can find -- even if it is a corporate prop. Our childhoods are filled with these memories and we still can't resist old-fashioned roadside kitsch, like the World's Largest Roll of Dental Floss.

Featured #TravelTuesday Tweep of the Week: 3/30

Philanthropic
 

• Name: David Chamberlain
• Home page: Exquisite Safaris
• Bio: It's a spin on travel we could all probably learn from: While David works as a travel advisor to match clients with customized "transformational experiences" in places worldwide from South America to Africa to India, each trip garners proceeds to donate to "high-impact" non-governmental organizations (NGO's) around the globe to aid in humanitarian efforts and other noble endeavors. Since 2008, his company has raised over $1 million toward philanthropic causes. To learn more about how he does business and how to travel with giving in mind, check out the FAQ page of his site.

Wanna get featured here? Keep on tweetin' about travel! Just make sure to include the #traveltuesday hashtag. We'll select one of our favorite #traveltuesday participants to be featured every week.

User Photo of the Day: 3/25

My big fat Greek liberation: On this date in 1821, Greece (I've Been Here / I Want To Go Here) received its independence from the Ottoman empire. O-pa! Oksana B. certainly had the flowering of independence in mind when she snapped the photo of the hills of Greece above, because we all think about metaphors for a country's independence before we take pictures. Save me some baklava!

Check out more lovely photos of Greece at Where I've Been.

The World's Best Sunsets

To watch a beautiful sunset is to have a borderline spiritual experience. We're all sun worshipers at heart -- minus the dancing and animal sacrifices, of course -- whether viewed from your kitchen window, neighborhood bench, or the beach.

Just as an ornate basilica can feel like it elevates the experience of your average chapel, solemn sunset worship finds its element when reflecting off the most majestic seas and kingly canyons. But where can you find prime seating for this grand theatre in the sky? We've polled our Twitter community for their favorite sunsets from around the world, some situated in volcanic vistas of Europe and spots truly Biblical in their proportions. Unofficial sun worship is in! Feel free to share your most memorable sunset scenery moments in the comments.

Santorini, Greece
(I've Been to the Greek Isles / I Want To Go to the Greek Isles)

Volcanoes don't seem to erupt with geographical design in mind, but without their handiwork in Greece we'd lose the gorgeous views provided by Santorini, the small group of islands that provide a sunset roundly understood to stand as one of the most picturesque you'll ever see. The photo above (by Marcel Germain) captures the moment in widescreen, highlighting the charming white architecture of the archipelago and the "breathtaking cliffs," which give way to spectacular promontory viewings (as traveler katemay3 was fortunate to experience).]

User Photo of the Day: 3/19

Today in travel history: On March 19th, 1628, the Massachusetts colony was founded by the British. And on the same day in 1822, Boston  (I've Been here / I Want To Go here) was officially incorporated as a city. Let's hear it for Fenway Pahhk, tea pahhties and chowdah! And Cape Cawd -- user Lloyd snapped this lovely shot of Cotuit's harbor.

Check out some more wicked pictures of Boston at Where I've Been.

Self-Evaluation: When Does "Blue" Become "Red?" On Your Map?

We're talking about something far more Earth-shattering than electoral votes. 'Cause it actually applies to the whole Earth.

Did you really "live" in Botswana, or do you just like the potpourri of colors?

As you've noticed, your Where I've Been map asks you to mark countries "red" to designate that you've "lived" there. It's an intuitive feature, but admittedly a murky one.

To wit: I studied abroad for a semester in Rome, Italy my junior year of college. If you'd look at my map, upon returning to American soil, I was so enriched with culture and worldliness that I felt entitled to consider myself having "lived" in Italy. I mean, come on -- I'm friends with an Italian person on Facebook! Where's my key to the city?

On the other hand, after three months, I still couldn't effectively navigate my own neighborhood or even roll my R's. So yeah, sure, I could see how someone might chafe at the idea of seeing Italy marked red on my map. (I also just like pretty colors.)

So where do you draw the line? Easy: The only clear way to get to the bottom of this is a highly scientific Blogger poll!

How long do you need to have stayed in one place to say that you've "lived" there?

How To Travel Megabus, And A Few Myths Dispelled

After I started regularly taking the Megabus to Chicago from St. Louis, people inexperienced with bus travel often volleyed concerned questions my way: Is it really that cheap? Are they ever on time? Should I ever be concerned about safety?

I'd usually answer honestly, of course. But as a budget-minded student, I started looking at friends as competition. Do I tell everyone about how I landed $5 Megabus tickets and pulled in 20 minutes ahead of schedule, or do I forward them articles like this? (Warning: Disturbing news story about man being attacked gruesomely on bus.)

So yes, I wanted Megabus all to myself. At the time, it was like a members-only luxury cruise through the cornfields that didn't know how to market to anyone.

Now that the secret's out -- and I've taken the blue double-decker countless times -- "luxury cruise" is probably an overstatement, and $5 tickets maybe aren't as realistic. Regardless, I've found it a cheap and convenient way to travel, and since they've expanded their reach to our nation's capital and reside in most of the Midwest, Northeast, some of Canada and the U.K., I figure it's as good of a time as any to share my experiences, tips and perhaps dispel a few myths.

1. Pricing breakdown: $1 seats are real, and pretty hard to get. 

This is one of the eye-popping facts that arouse excitement and skepticism in equal measure: How can a business thrive selling seats for $1 and a $0.50 booking fee? The answer lies in its low-overhead practices, like no brick-and-mortar terminals and strictly computer-operated ticket sales. But just as you pondered that question, some hack miles away will probably have snatched away that last dollar ticket to Toledo. Blast! How do you get it?

An Island In The Sun, Population One: Celebrity-Owned Islands

"And let it be known," the king bellowed to his minions, "that in this space, Woody Harrelson shall be known henceforth as Minister of Defense, and blue M&Ms are a threat to national security. At 3:46 PM on Thursdays, I expect one citizen to tickle my toes with the feather of a female Canadian goose. Also, Ace of Cakes shall be DVR'ed each week; failure to do so punishable by eternal exile."

That's how I imagine a latter-day Marlon Brando would run an island. Because he did. Own an island, that is. He bought the island Te’tiaroa, Tahiti, from a British dentist after filming Mutiny On The Bounty. He sadly took his true feelings on blue M&M's to the grave, but his purchase sparked an island-hopping fever in his Hollywood brethren that has raged to this day.

It's apparently easier than ever to buy and operate your own island property, and naturally some of the most wealthy (and eccentric) celebrities have jumped on board. With a couple cool million, you can too! With the vigilant cameras and snarky correspondents of TMZ constantly gnashing their teeth, you can understand the appeal of escaping Hollywood for some solitude somewhere far, far away. In some cases, it's probably best for everyone that the celeb goes into prolonged seclusion.

We've combed the globe for the biggest stars' private sandy digs to uncover how they acquired them -- the time to buy is now! -- and what one might possibly do at their own private island.

As you wince at the lavishness, take a minute to stop and dream: What laws would you decree past "take off your shoes before entering the mansion?" What island property would suit your every need?

1. Johnny Depp
Little Hall's Pond Cay, Nassau, Bahamas
(I've Been to the Bahamas / I Want To Go to the Bahamas)

The lowdown: Here's a guy who likes to immerse himself in his roles. After he started shooting Pirates of the Caribbean on location, Johnny Depp eyed the natural treasure and wanted it for himself. He nailed a property called Little Hall's Pond Cay, near Nassau, for $3.5 million. According to Forbes, the space "is one mile long and 1,300 feet wide with six private beaches, a cottage, Tiki hut and standby generators for electricity." The six beaches are named for each of Depp's family members and friends, including "Brando" for his island-buying hero and "Gonzo" for his close friend Hunter S. Thompson.

Had Wonderland or Willy Wonka's factory existed, we can probably bet Depp would have purchased full stake in both. (Picture: People Magazine)

2. Mel Gibson
Mago Island, Fiji
I've Been to Fiji / I Want To Go to Fiji

The lowdown: File this in the "entirely unsurprising" department. Mel Gibson frequently speculates on real estate from luxurious Malibu to more closed-off properties in Montana, Costa Rica, his native Australia and then Mago Island, Fiji, which he bought for a cool $15 million in 2004 -- one of the largest private islands in the world.

Three Cool Sites Using Our Map (And How To Embed Your Where I've Been Map)

In 1521, great explorer Magellan died battling in the Philippines in the midst of his greatest journey, leaving behind a legacy only to be re-told by his cohorts.

It shouldn't have been this way, and it could have been averted using the Where I've Been map.

Yes, perhaps it's a bit far-fetched when the typical 15th-century human owned just a 56K modem, but had the famous explorer embedded a color-coded cartogram to his Xanga, historians agree that the elite broadband users in the Philippines would have have more keen to his flotilla's path and thus more curious to hear out the man's pledges of eternal bondage and Christianity for all. What if...? 

But no time to think in hypotheticals! We live in a golden age in which updating your travels is a cinch and the Xanga we once knew is all but dead. We feel really good when blogs choose to mark their trips by embedding the Where I've Been map.

First off, how do you do it?

User Photo of the Day: 3/11

Holy high-fives: I want to think this is a screencap from a new Jean-Claude Van Damme flick shot in Machu Hausi, Peru. Only user Brian P. has the true details. My other guess is its the final battle in Acceptable Hat-Wearing Styles, Backward vs. Forward. In this case, my money is on forward-guy -- he looks like he'll take this battle seriously.

Find more pics of Peruvian mountain battles at Where I've Been.

Top Five Most Cliched Itineraries -- And Why They're Guilty Pleasures

A man, his sunglasses in a strap around his neck, stretches his arms outward and digs his foot in the ground. He almost looks like he's in an epic wrestling match with the wind and just barely holding on -- except that there isn't even a hint of a breeze outside. Just as you wonder if they've finally invented invisibility powers, it hits you: A tourist's cardinal sin has been committed.

Tomorrow, the man with the sheepish grin will post a picture of himself on Facebook awkwardly hoisting up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. And you will wonder once again why they haven't introduced a "Dislike" button.

Cliches like this litter the self-conscious traveler's existence. Am I doing authentic local activities? Do my shoes give me away? Or was it my giant American flag t-shirt? Should we wallow in guilt, or should we ultimately embrace the beaten paths? In many cases, it's a waste of time to get worked up about this, and in some, well... we all could benefit from a little self-reflection every once in a while. We'll give you a sampling of some of the most memorable scenes from well-traveled itineraries and decide whether or not it's worth risking your dignity. Shall we?

1. Paris, France
I've Been here / I Want To Go here

Day of cliches: After downing a baguette smothered in jam, you hop the Metro (and pity past rabbit riders) for a date with Mona Lisa, elbowing through a high school group to get a glimpse because you forgot how tiny the thing was. You barely get through the Impressionism masters when it dawns on you that it would take a month to see every last trinket in this cavernous madhouse, so you leave to squeeze in some shopping on Champs-Elysees. You nearly purchase a shirt with an alligator on it but decide against paying a 20 euro Sentimental Moment Fee. You skip to the Arc de Triomphe, nearly get hit by a Peugeot, and realize it's getting dark and you forgot to hit up Notre Dame and your Aunt Sue will never forgive you. Quickly whisk away your date to the top of that loveable lamp post, bring them back down, and smack lips under the lights -- mission accomplished.
Why we love it: Paris is a place where you stop and admire what divine handiwork humans are capable of. Its mystique is infectious, and to deny yourself of this would be a tragedy.
Cliche that's A-OK: Pere Lachaise Cemetery. Baby boomers / college rastafarians will mourn Jim Morrison and literature geeks will artfully eulogize Oscar Wilde, but I'm not sure there's a well-worn pathway that makes Lachaise anything less than great. Set aside some time to head to the hilltop for a gorgeous view of the premises, especially on sunny days. Morbid types may even find this romantic.

User Photo of the Day: 3/4

Modern meets medieval: Bill and Ted -- like, eat your hearts out. User Ivan H. took a time machine to Lietava, Slovakia, where he and his companions certainly received essential lessons in honor, chivalry and proper fief maintenance along the way. Tip #1: Accentuate with a shrubbery.

Check out some more photos of the Slovakian countryside at Where I've Been. Got any cool photos to share? Up 'em to Where I've Been and shoot me a link.

Five Best Bets For 2010's Spring Shoulder Season

Photo by Tina S.

Hey Jude, don't listen to him: The movement you need isn't on but in the shoulder -- shoulder season, that is. Come spring, beloved cities see tourism numbers dip while they transition to peak summertime traffic. But here's the secret: This "shoulder season," from April to June, often stands as the ideal time to pack it up and see the world's crown jewels at deep discount with sparse crowds and pleasant weather. So take a minute to let it under your skin, and we'll begin to make it better: Enjoy our list of the Five Best Bets for Spring Shoulder Season.


1. Rome, Italy
I've been here / I want to go here

Best spring "shoulder" months: Mid-April / Early May
Why you should shoulder: By July, Roma blazes hotter than a solo violin concert at Nero's villa. Mild weather alone might be reason enough to visit the center of Western antiquity in April or May, but that's not the only reason to finally make your pilgrimage to Popeville. Airlines hawk some surprisingly agreeable roundtrip fares in these months, though there's a small window -- you can expect a $200 or $300 discount relative to the summer months (head to Kayak and check their calendar view if you're skeptical). Easter Sunday in Vatican City remains a revered tradition in the area, so unless you've got a hankerin' for some Easter eggs Benedict style you might want to plan around that weekend. Choose wisely and on one fateful sunny day, you'll find yourself in line at Old Bridge Gelateria with only a few locals. If you miss the chance, definitely give Rome a go in its more defined shoulder season in late September / early October.

2. Mayan Riviera, Mexico
I've been here / I want to go here

Best spring "shoulder" months: May
Why you should shoulder: Dedicated history nerds and armchair archaeologists can have trouble justifying trips that aren't serious and difficult and / or cover them in a layer of dust. That's fine, but a side of Corona with your excavations every once in a while can only work wonders. Compromises exist, and one of the best is the Mayan Riviera, which houses stunning Mesoamerican architecture right next to some of the world's most popular luxury resorts. Many months of the year, one might have to cancel their Scientific American and National Geographic subscriptions to budget such a trip. But some careful planning -- specifically a trip in pleasant-but-still-uncrowded May -- can afford an enterprising nerd the chance to not only book an excellent hotel but observe a diverse collection of marine life in the area reefs and the remarkably well-preserved stone ruins in Tulum and Chichen Itza without much interruption. Bring your journals to the beach -- it's still possible to nerd out in paradise.

3. Sydney, Australia
I've been here / I want to go here


Best spring "shoulder" months: Mid-April to mid-May
Why you should shoulder: While "opposite day" typically operates only once a week with local third-graders, studies have shown that Australians struggle through this confusing time every single day of the week. How do they emerge so gracefully? It's gotta be more than just bloomin' onions, right? As it turns out, there's this thing called the Equator, and it's actually a pretty handy companion if you're looking to dive into shoulder season travel head-first. Summer starts to pack it in around mid-April, but general sunshine keeps its doors open most of the year in Sydney (perhaps speaking to the place's pleasant disposition), which means that for the slight risk of wetness you can snap shots of the Opera House and harbor or plan an Outback adventure / visit Uluru when airfares aren't outlandish. The Great Barrier Reef, a treasure trove year round, is accessible cheaply via northern cities around May as well; Aussie seasons are all backwards and mish-mashed compared to the Northern Hemisphere, but opposites attract, remember?

4. Bermuda
I've been here / I want to go here


Best spring "shoulder" months: May
Why you should shoulder: For a diminutive country, Bermuda's pink sand comes at a hefty price. There's a reason why it's the chosen settlement for international fat cats like Italian prime minister and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi -- sometimes you can't put a price on exclusivity (or maybe you can, and it's just really freakin' expensive!). Bermuda understands and embraces its existence as a Western tourist come-and-go, but to effectively stretch your Bermudian dollar you should consider heading to the remote island around May. Water and outdoor temps start reaching their near-optimal levels around the halfway point of the month, though crowds only start filing in around June and July. If you can stomach typically premium prices for food and goods, then you'll cherish a stay on the quirky island (make sure to be polite), but cruise ships typically slash prices in springtime, allowing a laid-back sea escape for as low as $70 per night, shaving $200-$300 from the same trip just one or two months later. And if he's not busy being crazy, maybe you'll see Berlusconi hitting one of Bermuda's famous golf courses.

5. Tokyo, Japan
I've been here / I want to go here

Best spring "shoulder" months: Early April OR Mid-May
Why you should shoulder: In the truest sense of the word, Tokyo may never see a shoulder season -- even if you avoid big events like Golden Week (late April to first week of May), subway cars will still pack like sardines and goods will be a bit expensive. This being the case, you must embrace the insanity of the city and take solace in that early April and mid-May brings much lower airfare when you book today. Weather around this time is a mild but pleasant mid-50s F, and one cannot forget perhaps the most incredible year-round achievement of Tokyo: Those lights. Maybe we'd be able to afford a few more nice things in the city if they budgeted less money toward maintaining the constant flicker of neon. But you'll find it hard to speak with your jaw on the floor as you see the craft and care that went into the implementation of this illuminated spectacle. In all, Tokyo is a tough place to plan for -- you're gonna set aside at least a day of the trip just to fly -- but if you've got any spare weeks coming up and you haven't taken the Tokyo plunge, spring's a superb time to take in its sights.