May 2003 Travel Newsletter

Does Your Flight Arrive Where You Expect?
A new airline practice that travelers should be aware of is the substitution of destination airports.  With increased competition and fewer passengers, airlines are searching for new ways of cutting costs.  One method that some European airlines are starting to use is to utilize lower cost, less congested, secondary airports “near” a flight’s destination city instead of the normally expected primary airport.  Flying to “London” can now mean different things to different airlines.  Instead of arriving at Heathrow or Gatwick airport as expected, passengers may find themselves at Luton Airport the next time they fly in to London.

If this new practice is successful for the European airlines, there is an increased chance that it will be taken up by other airlines.  The next time you book your airline tickets, verify the flight’s destination airport.  If you aren’t familiar with the airport, research the distances from the airport to your hotel, the transportation options available and travel time required.  Make sure they suit your travel plans.  This extra checking will save you from any unexpected surprises upon arrival.
The Contrarian Traveler
Some travelers think that the worst time to travel can actually be the best time to travel.  Known as “contrarian” travelers, these travelers travel when and where everyone else does not (contrary to any currently popular travel trends).  They let other travelers head off to the latest “hot” spots, while they find the once-popular but currently out-of-favor destinations for their own adventures.

The benefits of contrarian travel can be many.  If no one is heading towards a specific destination, the chances of bargain airfares to that destination are much higher.  Upon arrival at this contrarian destination, you may find a better deal on accommodations, on tours and other activities.  Service is often improved due both to fewer travelers and to the area’s effort to improve your experience (and their reputation) to attract other travelers in the future.  Lastly, and most importantly for most people, fewer travelers mean you may have the museum, that beach, your camping spot, or those ancient ruins, all to yourself.

Consider contrarian travel for your next journey and avoid the crowds!
New Product Spotlight
Eagle Creek has added some great new baggage options to their popular lines of quality luggage.  For those travelers looking for a bag that has a larger capacity than their 22” carry-on, but not as big a capacity as their larger bags, two new 24” bags have been introduced.  A new garment bag is now also available for anyone traveling with suits or dresses.

Expandable 24” – The newest addition to Eagle Creek’s Core Travel Gear is this rolling 24-inch, expandable bag.  The main compartment expands by 15%, to 3800 cubic inches, to make sure you have the extra room to bring back those gifts and souvenirs picked up along your journey.
Load Warrior 24” – This rolling, sport duffel is the 24-inch addition to Eagle Creek’s Point A luggage line.  The exterior compression strap system enables you to manage even large loads.  It is convenient for anything from the trip to the ball field with the kids to your next adventure vacation.
Commuter Suiter – A brand new suit/garment bag that is perfect for those quick business trips or a weekend away.  It folds up to carry-on size and has updated organization for shoes, socks and other small clothing items.  It is both a stylish and practical addition to your luggage.
May Travel Programs
Wednesday, May 7th (7:30pm) - Europe By Rail
Thinking of going to Europe?  Think of traveling by train!  Join Susan Lewis, Regional Manager from Rail Europe, for an informative evening explaining the many options of train travel in Europe.  Whether traveling to one country or several, for a few weeks or a few months, Susan will show you which of the many train options fit your needs.  Bring your questions and we can help you plan your train travel for your European trip of a lifetime!
Wednesday, May 14th (7:30pm) - CUBA!
Daily Camera running writer, Michael Sandrock, just returned from his 20th trip to Cuba.  Michael will show slides, describe the highlights & lowlights of past trips, and tell stories about what he has seen and experienced in Cuba during the past decade including:  how the government of Fidel Castro has survived the dissolution of its main benefactor, the Soviet Union; how the country has maintained its vitality while attracting increasing numbers of tourists; and how you can travel there legally.  In attendance will be Ana Weir, medical director of the Boulder-Cuba Sister City Project, and Bob Walz, owner of Last Frontier Expeditions who helped Sandrock organize the "Earnest Hemingway 10K" in old Havana.
Wednesday, May 21st (7:30pm) - Race Across The Atlantic
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to race a sailboat across the Atlantic Ocean?  Last summer, Boulder video producer Bruce Borowsky won a contest sponsored by Bluewater Sailing magazine for a crew position on a boat in the Challenge Transat 2002, a race from Southampton, England to Boston - and his boat won!  Fortunately for us, he shot a lot of video during the almost three weeks it took to cross the finish line, which he's edited into a short documentary about his adventure.  Come hear Bruce talk about the race at the Boulder premier of his video "18 days, 16 hours", and experience what a sailboat race across the Atlantic is really like.
Wednesday, May 28th (7:30pm) - Afghanistan
Sheryl Shapiro recently returned from a month in Afghanistan, taking photos and working in support of a local humanitarian organization.  She went, despite the concern of her family and friends, and she was overwhelmed by her extraordinary experience.  Afghanistan is more than what we've seen in the media.  It is a country of good-hearted, hospitable people and breathtaking scenery.  She will share some of her experiences, some of her wonderful pictures and tell us about what the country is like today!  Sheryl has presented shows on China, Tibet, Pakistan, and Mongolia.

Suggested Reading
“To Timbuktu: A Journey Down The Niger” by Mark Jenkins, 1997, published by William Morrow and Company.  In April of 1977, at 27, this young Mark Jenkins and his best friend set off for the most remote place on earth that they could imagine: Timbuktu.  They did not reach their destination by desert on their first attempt, but returned years later to attempt to reach it by water.  Their story takes them from the source of the Niger River in the mountains of Guinea into the heart of the Dark Continent, and through many adventures.  Along their journey they learn the meaning of travel – that to be en route is more important than to arrive, that where your body has been is secondary to where your heart has gone.

Just For Fun
A group of passengers were gathered at the airport gate when one of the airline personnel’s voices came over the loud speaker.  The passengers braced themselves expecting this to be the usual announcement about a flight delay?  "Attention passengers, due to circumstances beyond our control," the voice said, "the eleven fifteen flight will be departing on time today."
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"Beyond the East the sunrise,
beyond the West the sea.
And East and West this wander-thirst
that will not let me be.”
    - Gerald Gould
Happy Travels!
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